CATCH THAT DOG!

The illustrated cover of the book CATCH THAT DOG by Will Taylor. Cover is bold orange, with an illustration of a white poodle wearing a black bowtie and black sunglasses. Tone is dapper humor with sparkles. A yellow sticker with pointy edges in one corner reads: Based on the true story of the world's most valuable dog!

Based on the amazing true story of “the world’s most valuable dog,” a heartfelt comedy adventure about a famous big-city poodle who finds a new life alongside an overlooked small-town girl.

Besting silly grownups! • Guaranteed happy ending! • New Jersey!

Scholastic | June 28, 2022 | Grades 3-7

ISBN: 978-1-338-74595-5

Cover images copyright Rawpixel.com

 Designers- Maeve Norton & Baily Crawford

The kids LOVED it. I asked them to rate it on a scale from 1-4 and they said 1 million.” Sarita B., fourth-grade teacher

Hits the mark between being accessible for young readers and entrancing for adults…I loved every bit of it.” Penelope P.

A middle grade gem… Humor, action, suspense, and mystery with excellent characters and world building. I will be thinking of this book for a long time.” Danielle H.

What a wonderful ‘girl and her dog’ story! Highly recommended for libraries serving grades 4-6.” Melanie D.

A sweet, fun, and adventurous story about the friendship and love between a girl and her poodle.” Lisa

Many kids dream of finding a stray dog who becomes their best friend. This feel good story has that and more, with a feel good ending.” LS J.


When lonely, overlooked Joanie Dayton first encounters Masterpiece in a dirty alley, she mistakes him for (of all things) a stray cat. But after cleaning him up back home, she discovers her new friend is, in fact, a miniature poodle. A very grateful miniature poodle.

What Joanie doesn’t know is that Masterpiece isn’t any ordinary dog. Masterpiece is actually a world-famous celebrity, a dog who’s been in TV shows and magazines and spends his summers traveling the world hobnobbing with the rich and famous. So how did Masterpiece go from a palatial apartment in New York City to an alley in small town New Jersey? He was dognapped! And then escaped! And it was Joanie, of all people, who found him. Now, not only does the angry dognapper want to nab Masterpiece back, but his former owner is offering a reward for his return. A big reward. A reward that could change Joanie’s life forever—if she can somehow find the strength to give up the only best friend she’s ever had. 

What’s a girl to do?