"Ragtag group of pets who will do whatever it takes to avoid being sent to the pound." I expected to like this book more than I did. Maybe it was just my frame of mind. The story is told by the pets, and is a cute story. I just wasn't into it. I am thinking 3rd and 4th grade may just like it more. I did enjoy the perspectives of each different animals -dog, cat, rats, bird, even an octopus. Maybe it was just too hard to believe that these animals were capable of all that they did.

The Great Pet Heist is a hilarious tale about 5 pets (and two pet friends) that want to steal some gold coins from an another apartment since their "person" Mrs. Food, or Mrs. Fedeker, has gone to the hospital. The pets have overheard that their demise will be to go to shelters. To solve this problem, they are going to become rich! Well, as you can imagine, their plans go awry as they encounter the "bad guys" and the unattended neighbor Madison. These animals seem to be able to communicate with each other, but not humans. They possess human feelings and mannerisms. Children will enjoy their hijinks! Throughout the book, black and white illustrations emphasize the plot as it thickens and provide entertaining visual support. All in all, those who like classics such as Charlotte's Web or Bill Wallace's Totally Disgusting will thoroughly enjoy The Great Pet Heist.. This would be a great step up to longer chapter books for those students that have been reading Nick Bruel's Bad Kitty series too!

A single woman, who lives with a bunch of pets, falls and is transported to the hospital. Left alone, the pets (a dog, cat, bird and two rats) are not sure how they will survive. Eventually, the building manager brings a little girl to help keep the pets safe and alive until the woman, Mrs. Food, returns. The pets overhear that Mrs. Food is probably going to an assisted living facility. They organize and execute a plan to become independently wealthy so they won’t be separated.
Opinion
This is a really cute book for the emerging reader. It has a mystery as well as several different problems that the animals must fix. The fact that the animals name their people based off of what the people do for them is hilarious. The animals each have their own quirky personalities that will leave the young reader laughing. I think this book would even appeal to older, struggling readers, which is typically a hard group to please.

Goofy-fun animal story that will tickle the funny bone of readers in grades 3-6. Seven different animals, all living in the same apartment building, take part in a heist of gold coins in an effort to become independently wealthy and help some of them avoid the dreaded shelter after their human is taken to the hospital. An added plot twist involves a young girl who has been enlisted to tend to the pets who have been left human-less, who has her own dire situation to resolve. Neatly wrapped up conclusion will satisfy all and may leave the door open for another book centered on this motley crew of rodents, a canine, a feline, a bird, and one creature who has no place in an apartment building. Highly recommended for fans of Suzanne Selfors' Wedgie and Gizmo or Julie Falatko's Two Dogs in a Trench Coat, both equally funny series for the same age group.

Young pet lovers are certain to be delighted with this book.
The plot is creative--when their owner (and provider of food), seriously falls and injures herself, the animals must fare for themselves. My elementary school readers will especially enjoy the talking pets who take on the role of investigators, provocateurs and friends all a the same time. The theme of looking out for each other will resonate but, above all, the humor and adventure will keep them reading without wanting to put the book down until they find out if the pets succeed.

I enjoyed the book. I think you could used excepts of this book to teach dialogue. The book was cute. A little slow start I feel kids would laugh out load at certain parts. I feel it would make a fantastic movie.

This was a cute story! It reminded me of "The Secret Life of Pets". The characters were funny and lovable. There was a little bit of action and mystery. I loved how it ended and hope there will be a series of books with these guys (and girls) in it.

Fun and humorous adventure story told from the pets' point of view.
A group of pets are facing an uncertain future when their owner is taken to the hospital. They realize they are going to need money in order to stay out of the pound. Once the idea is formed, it is all systems go. In the meantime, Madison, who has been checking on them each day, is also having problems. Can the pets help Madison and protect their future?

Set in a large city apartment building, with a great cast of very intelligent animals. Butterbean, the dog, throws up and his owner, Mrs. Food, slips and falls. Strange people come and take her away with no explanation to the animals. Bob the doorman makes an arrangement with Madison, a young girl, to feed the critters and walk Butterbean. The animals have heard the word "shelter" used and become very concerned. Madison is hiding her own secrets. Walt, the cat, is computer literate. Oscar the myna bird, speaks his own variety of human. The pet rats, Marco and Polo, are able to navigate the vents in the building. When the groups works together, with the help of neighbor Chad, an octopus (he uses the drain pipes to get around), they discover a criminal living on the top floor. He and his accomplice have a hoard of gold coins. The coins leave the premises under mysterious circumstances. Madison is blamed for the theft. The animals now must complete the heist.

The book is geared to third and fourth graders, maybe fifth. The message for these readers might be that of cooperation - when everyone works together, positive things happen.

A funny tale of animal friends who end up being more like family by the end of the book. We meet an odd, mismatched group of animals with dissimilar personalities yet who come together, using the strengths of each to help out a human. In the end they help out far more than they thought, far beyond their wildest animal dreams! Very cute story.
I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for my volunteer review.

What a cute book. I instantly took a likeing to the characters. They are an interesting funny bunch. I believe young readers will enjoy the story, the hiest, the comedy, an enjoyable read.

My 11 yr loved this book. He said he would reccomend to his friends. His favorite character was Bob. He says Bob is sarcastic and funny. He said Marco and Polo are his favorite animal characters. The book is full of laughs and a good time, he would love for it to be brought to the screen.

AMAZING times infinity. This book has it all, mystery, sadness, comedy, love, drama and two heists. The gang of 7 includes house pets and one former pet that now lives in the vents. Mrs. Food is hurt and what ensues is a means to keep all of the pets together. Madison steps in and takes care of the pets but unbeknownst to her they are planning a heist. Do yourself a favor and read this book. I pray in time it becomes a huge animation hit!