ALA Booklist (Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2008)

After six names and six owners, canine K-10 doesn't trust humans. Back in the animal shelter again, he insists he's no stray, just independent. Along with shelter dogs Pearl and Peppy he escapes, but freedom is fraught with complications, including finding food and a safe place to sleep. When Peppy's returned to his owner and Pearl leaves, K-10 falls in with the tough street duo Adolph, a brutish Doberman, and his Rottweiler sidekick, Rotter. Things worsen when K-10 must prove his loyalty, which leads to injury and a heartbreaking series of events. Ultimately, reuniting with Pearl helps him regain hope and a new understanding of himself and others, including humans. K-10 is an engaging character, whose lively narrative intimately details shelter life and survival challenges. Though some of the others are archetypes and there are a few potentially disturbing scenes, the dogs' experiences facing their fears and learning the true meaning of friendship and family will resonate with kids. This is a compelling, affectionate story of opening not just one's home, but also one's heart.

Horn Book (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Pup K-10 describes his difficulties living on his own after having been disappointed by various owners. His adventures include stints in animal shelters, run-ins with vicious dogs, and a flirtation with a life of crime. Dog lovers will be drawn in by K-10's winning first-person narration and his good heart.

Kirkus Reviews

In this tale told from the mutt's point-of-view, spunky serial-adoptee K-10 believes in his ability to make it on his own without humans, whom he charms but always leaves. Caught one too many times, however, K-10 escapes from the pound with some new dog friends when he realizes that this stay won't end in an adoption. Confronted by an outside world that's far more difficult than he's anticipated, K-10 relies on his new friends to survive. Auch tackles themes important to children as she forces K-10 to realize which dogs are his real friends, and which are not. K-10's present-tense narration includes some mild violence and briefly portrays the death of a rabbit but keeps the story age-appropriate and the resolution happy. The characters stand out as real individuals, and K-10's cocky tone brightens the whole. A delightful little romp for boys and girls alike. (Fantasy. 8-12)

School Library Journal (Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2008)

Gr 2-4 K-10 is cute, friendly, independent, and, as his Mom told him, "one step above all the other canines." But after too many owners and unwanted trips to the animal shelter, K-10 just wants to live free. Unfortunately, a big hunk of meat on the ground proves too much for a hungry dog to pass up, so once again he finds himself with a rope around his neck, being shuttled back to the pound, and this time getting adopted doesn't turn out to be so easy. Told in first person, the humorous, action-packed novel follows K-10 and some newfound friends through numerous escapes, misadventures, and setbacks, and wraps up with a tidy and satisfying conclusion. With a winning cover and fast pace, it's sure to please dog-loving kids. Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library