Mr. Muffins: Defender of the Stars

Gr 4-6–For anyone who has ever had a homework assignment that they really did not want to finish, Reuben can certainly relate—but his reluctance launches things to new heights with a wild adventure into a battle for the cosmos. Everyone knows that dogs are heroes. In this case, Reuben’s corgi, Mr. Muffins, is the champion of light: a superhero imbued with the necessary powers to defend the Voltarian Alliance against the evil Hakar forces. The illustrations are bold, colorful, and will keep readers turning pages as fast as they can to see what happens next. The vivid depictions of alien worlds and space battles are imaginative and engaging. Mr. Muffins is adorable and will win the hearts of readers. The story includes excellent opportunities to analyze character traits such as loyalty and courage, and Mr. Muffins invites readers to explore different story perspectives. An entire unit devoted to examining dogs in literature could be rounded out with Mr. Muffins to highlight the ways in which authors include furry friends in storytelling.