Honey by Sarah Weeks

This is another story about a girl and a dog. The difference this time is that the two don't even meet for most of the book.

For her whole life (all 10 years), it has just been Melody and her dad and Melody likes it that way. When her dad starts acting strangely, Melody gets suspicious. When she hears him call someone on the other end of a phone call "honey," she knows her life is about to change. Will it be for the better or the worse?

Mo is a little French Bulldog who lives with Bee Bee, the free-spirited owner of the town's new beauty salon, but he isn't hers. Mo is searching for a life he lost and a fate he knows is out there.

With Honey, Sarah Weeks creates a small town full of memorable characters and a sweet-as-honey story that will stay with you. If you liked Pie (which is on the Battle of the Books list this year), you'll love Honey.

Woof by Spencer Quinn

When a prize marlin is stolen from the store of Birdy's Granny, Birdie and her dog Bowser find themselves entangled in a mystery that includes a legendary treasure map, an old family rivalry, hungry gators, and a crime that was committed generations ago.

The book is told from Bowser's point of view and you'll laugh at his perspective on the world. He thinks of himself as a very tough hero, charged with protecting Birdie, but as a dog, he's often befuddled by the ways of humans. Why do people think that dogs should sit before they eat? And why do we say "eats like a bird" to mean someone eats very little? Bowser has seen a bird eat and he knows better.

Woof is a great mystery and a fun romp through the Louisiana swamps with a couple of great new characters.