How to Train Your Dad by Gary Paulsen

2021 | 192 pages  | 3.25 Hours Audio |  Grades 4-7

I listened to this book and the narrator was great! It is a story about a father and son. The father is very frugal and loves to procure items for free, for bargaining, or from garage sales. Carl is very embarrassed because he is now trying to impress a girl. One day he finds a flyer on puppy training and decides to train his father out of his tightwad ways. Carl just wants to be a normal kid and have a father who is the same.

This book is really funny, it is also short and so it is a great book for kids who don't like long books.  There are a few swear words in the story which is probably nothing that kids don't hear every day.  In elementary school, students are always surprised to find swear words in their novels!

Knowing that Gary Paulsen had a rough childhood, I hope writing this book gave him some of his youth back with delight and humor. Sadly, He passed while he was on tour promoting this book. We will miss him in the children's literature world.