Dog Friday    by Hilary McKay Order:  USA  Can Margaret K. McElderry, 1997 (1995) Hardcover, Softcover, Audio, e-Book      Reviewed by Lyn Seippel Ten-year-old Robin Brogan's mother is called to the hospital where Robin is swaddled in bandages and sporting two black eyes. To the nurse's horror, his mum has no kind words for him. Not that Robin minds. He knows how worried she must have been to be told he was in the hospital. This is not his first time there. And of course she disapproves of fighting which is what landed him there this time. Robin's mother runs a bed and breakfast that overlooks the ocean on the coast of Yorkshire, England. The house, called Porridge Hall, had some time in the past been divided so that it is now two residences. The other side of the house belongs to the Robinson family. The four children have the unusual names of Sun Dance, Beany and (twins) Ant and Perry. Their dog is known as Old Blanket. Old Blanket is a problem for Robin. When he was four he was attacked by a dog on the beach, requiring numerous stitches and a three day hospitalization. Robin had picked up a toy ring on the beach, not realizing it belonged to the dog. When he ran, the dog gave chase. He's older now and doesn't completely blame the dog, but the fear is still there. Hilary McKay writes wonderfully funny and touching stories. There are three books in the Porridge Hall series, all stories involving animals. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Teens books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews