Barker's Doghouse 1: Fetch!

Ages 7 to 10, Grades 2 to 5

The first book in a charming and funny early middle grade series about a boy finding his way in a new place with the help of some talking dogs. A little bit New Kid, a little bit Secret Life of Pets.

Ten-year-old Gio Barker is down in the dumps. His mom has uprooted him to a new school and a new town, all so she can start her own business. Gio used to see friends after school, but now he’s stuck hanging around his mom’s new doggy day care.  Then one day he mistakes a dog biscuit for a human cookie, and suddenly he can talk to the dogs!

The day care dogs become the friends Gio desperately needs. They tell him some of the great secrets of dog life, and he takes them for wild romps in the park. But when the dogs realize that Gio is struggling, they take it upon themselves to teach him everything they know. Sure, they’re lessons from dog school, but some of these skills are useful in any context. Take Fetch, for instance. It’s a game of give and take – perfect skills to practice if Gio wants to make the soccer team or find a human friend!

About the Author

Maria Bea Alfano is a freelance writer, artist, and sometimes educator. She has written how-to-draw books for major licensed brands such as Pokémon, Dragonball Z, and Trollz. She has taught art and soccer to preschoolers in NYC, English to middle-schoolers in Spain, reading to first-graders via an online tutoring platform, and writing workshops to adults via SCBWI. When she’s not working to inspire curiosity in kids, she can be found in the pottery studio and on the soccer field. She lives in New York City with her doggie BFF who loves to hike, train in agility, and befriend strangers. This is Maria’s first fiction series.

Author Residence: New York, NY