Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Wed Nov 30 00:00:00 CST 2022)

Eleven-year-old Mindy Park is not pleased that her relationships are changing.Things are going great for Mindy and her best friends, Priya Gupta and Gabby Jordan, who run the dog-walking business PAWS (Pretty Awesome Walkers). But soon Mindy finds her life in upheaval. Her divorced mother, Sunny, meets Michael, and the two begin dating. Mindy quickly decides she does not like him, feeling put out when he begins to encroach on their relationship and routines. Then, Priya and Gabby befriend new girl Hazel and invite her to join PAWS. Unhappy with this change, Mindy gives Hazel (who uses a wheelchair) an unfair assignment: to walk Michael's overweight and lazy cat, Chonk. Things go awry, and confrontations in the PAWS group and with Mindy's mom ensue-can Mindy make space in her life for all the new changes? Fairbairn's tale is wholly relatable, perfectly capturing the angst and turmoil of transition. Mindy, though flawed, comes to understand and apologize for her outbursts, especially in her treatment of Hazel. Much like Ann M. Martin's Baby Sitters Club, this series is poised to feature a different PAWS member in each volume; expect appeal to be similarly high. Assarasakorn's illustrations are bright and expressive. Mindy is Korean, Hazel is White, Priya is South Asian, and Gabby is brown-skinned.An honest, heartwarming look at friendship. (Graphic fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Eleven-year-old Mindy Park is not pleased that her relationships are changing.Things are going great for Mindy and her best friends, Priya Gupta and Gabby Jordan, who run the dog-walking business PAWS (Pretty Awesome Walkers). But soon Mindy finds her life in upheaval. Her divorced mother, Sunny, meets Michael, and the two begin dating. Mindy quickly decides she does not like him, feeling put out when he begins to encroach on their relationship and routines. Then, Priya and Gabby befriend new girl Hazel and invite her to join PAWS. Unhappy with this change, Mindy gives Hazel (who uses a wheelchair) an unfair assignment: to walk Michael's overweight and lazy cat, Chonk. Things go awry, and confrontations in the PAWS group and with Mindy's mom ensue-can Mindy make space in her life for all the new changes? Fairbairn's tale is wholly relatable, perfectly capturing the angst and turmoil of transition. Mindy, though flawed, comes to understand and apologize for her outbursts, especially in her treatment of Hazel. Much like Ann M. Martin's Baby Sitters Club, this series is poised to feature a different PAWS member in each volume; expect appeal to be similarly high. Assarasakorn's illustrations are bright and expressive. Mindy is Korean, Hazel is White, Priya is South Asian, and Gabby is brown-skinned.An honest, heartwarming look at friendship. (Graphic fiction. 8-12)

School Library Journal (Thu Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2022)

Gr 3–6— Mindy and her best friends Gabby and Priya have fallen into a steady routine with their successful dog walking business, P.A.W.S. But a new classmate, Hazel, and Mindy's mom's new boyfriend, Michael, flip Mindy's world upside down. While her friends are eager to invite Hazel (who uses a wheelchair) into the group, Mindy hesitates out of fear of being replaced. Starting with a short summary of the first volume, this inviting sequel focuses on Mindy's experiences and could be read as a standalone. The authentic tween voice and expressive character designs make for a gentle, slice-of-life story that touches on some big feelings. The main trio are each BIPOC, while Hazel presents white. While Mindy does exhibit some ableist behavior that peers confront and correct, Hazel's role in Mindy's character growth tiptoes toward disability trope. VERDICT A mostly successful entry in a series that will only grow in popularity—and cuteness.