A super fun story about a house and a dog, Iggy Included by Deborah Kerbel is a contemporary middle grade novel perfect for fans of a really great story.

Paige and her family are moving to a big house in the country. It’s an upgrade from the small apartment in the city and the bonus is they won the house in a contest. When they arrive, they realize that the house isn’t exactly as promised and comes with a HUGE surprise.

Deborah Kerbel gives readers an easy to read, funny and interesting story about a family and a dog that will feel familiar to many readers. In this story, readers get to explore the dynamics of complicated families and navigating the needs and wants that you experience as a twelve year old, the worst age according to the main character. For all of those readers approaching or just starting middle school, this is a story that will appeal to them, filled with all of the feelings of still being too young while at the same time being too old.

I love that this story has a little bit of mystery and intrigue to amp up the interest and appeal to a broader audience. Readers have the opportunity to learn all about Newfoundland dogs, home improvements and bar mitzvahs. It’s an eclectic story with lots of fun moments that readers will definitely enjoy and was a pleasure to read. It is a story that was hard to put down and left me feeling incredibly satisfied as a reader.