Book Reviews and More: Showoff - Gordon Korman

Showoff

Swindle Book 4

Scholastic Canada

ISBN 9780545320597

eISBN 9780545393126

ASIN B006N531B6

Showoff - Gordon Korman - Swindle Book 4

I have read over 90 books from Gordon Korman’s masterful pen. I did not read much when young because of a dual form of dyslexia, because of that I have a deep fondness for Middle Grade books, and books for tween and teens. Korman is one of the all-time masters. I set the goal of reading all his books about 2020. I have read books in all his series, and all of the standalone stories.

Not counting omnibus editions I believe that as of the summer of 2025 Korman has published 109 books. And one comes out early next year. As of the reading of this volume I am down to 18 unread books. With each that I read I am entertained and often challenged.

This book and was released originally in 202 and the last in the series to date in 2016. There are 13 editions of this volume currently listed on Goodreads, and it is available in French, English, Japanese, Chinese and Turkish.

The description of this volume states:

“The fourth SWINDLE book, centering around a dog show that goes horribly awry! The heroes of SWINDLE, ZOOBREAK, and FRAMED are back - and this time, things have gone to the dogs! When Luthor goes berserk at a mall dog show, he's accused of ruining the career of the three-time best-in-show beagle. Griffin always knew that Luthor's viciousness was simmering just below the surface - so why does he feel bad enough to spring him from the pound? Griffin and his team have a new plan. This one involves New York City, a sinister saboteur, a reclusive dog-trainer who's quit the business, an international dog show, and a whole lot of red dye. But if they pull it off, no one will even notice their sting operation...right?”

The about the author for this edition states:

“GORDON KORMAN’s first three books featuring Griffin Bing and his friends were Swindle, Zoobreak, and Framed. His other books include This Can’t Be Happening at Macdonald Hall (published when he was fourteen); The Toilet Paper Tigers; Radio Fifth Grade; the trilogies Island, Everest, Dive, Kidnapped, and Titanic; and the series On the Run. He lives in New York with his family and can be found on the Web at his website.”

I really did not know what to expect when I started this series. I left this series till the end for 2 main reasons. First it is the longest series to date by Korman. And Second, I am not a huge dog guy, and also not into anthropomorphic stories. I had never read the descriptions, and just kept skipping over it until it was the last series for me to start. That was my mistake, and a huge one at that. Once I started that first one I really did not want to put it down. And it took a lot of effort not to just jump to the next volume, or rip my way through the series. I read books in a number of series between books 3 and 4 in this series. Again, even though it had not been that long, it was a like a visit with old friends.

Book one is described as Ocean’s 11 with kids, it lived up to that statement, and to some extent even more with each new instalment. This fourth one has many of the gang facing their biggest fear, Luthor the Great Dane. In order to save the dog’s life and their friend’s heartbreak they pull out all the stops to try and turn their former attack dog into the best in show for the American Show championships at the Global Kennel Society Show in New York, at the Manhattan Coliseum.

This is another excellent story about friendship, about kids standing up, and about life in a small community. Griffin Bing is the man with a plan and that plan includes finding a dog trainer who has gone reclusive, reforming Luthor, and winning the show to save his friends family from a crushing lawsuit. A lot can go wrong, and it all needs to go right or things will be worse than when they started.

This is such a great story. It continues an amazing series. I can easily recommend it. It is an excellent read from the master of the school story! But watch out for green slime.

Books by Gordon Korman:

MacDonald Hall Series:

This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall (1978)

Go Jump in the Pool (1979)

Beware the Fish! (1980)

The Wizzle War (1982)

(formerly The War With Mr. Wizzle)

The Zucchini Warriors (1988)

Light’s Camera, Disaster (1991)

(aka Macdonald Hall Goes Hollywood)

The Jokes on Us (1995)

(formerly Something Fishy at Macdonald Hall)