PAWS: The Trouble with Leo: A Graphic Novel

While we haven't seen much of classmate Leo in Gabby Gets it Together, Mindy Makes Some Space, Priya Puts Herself First, or Hazel Has Her Hands Full, we get to spend a lot of time with him in this volume of PAWS. He and Gabby have always had a fraught relationship after a misunderstanding at her birthday party three years ago, but when Gabby runs into an angry Leo in the park, things escalate. Leo decides to start a competing dog walking service with his friends Brandon and Nolawi. The trio plaster the neighborhood with posters advertising Super Cool and Mobile Pet Support, and these even include a QR code to a WALKR app where customers can schedule appointments. Gabby is furious, and takes down the posters. She shows the poster to her father, who is more concerned with how much of a cut the app takes from gig economy workers. She even goes so far as to leave negative reviews on the WALKR site, even though SCAMP doesn't actually have any clients. There is a science project at school, and because Gabby and Leo made a fuss when people were picking their own partners, Mindy is paired with Brandon. They actually get along, share a love of drawing and manga, and need time to work on the project outside of school, which infuriates Gabby, who is bent on destroying her nemesis. This causes problems in the PAWS business, which is often overbooked. The owner of Scraps uses SCAMP, but cancels when Gabby ask about the service. Since this was SCAMP's only customer, and they are out a lot of money for all of their posters, Leo is angry. After Brandon accidentally picks up the PAW's contact book and Leo uses the information to find clients, Gabby and Leo come to blows. It is revealed that Leo's dad moved to Toronto with his dog, and also that Gabby was the one in the wrong during the birthday party. Even though it is difficult, Gabby apologizes, and PAWs is able to increase their business by adding the SCAMPs staff to its own.

PAWS: THE TROUBLE WITH LEO is an engaging graphic novel about entrepreneurship, friendship, and rivals. Gabby and her friends are crushing it with their dog walking business, PAWS. However, things become more challenging when Gabby's nemesis, Leo, wants to join the team. After he is rejected, he decides to get revenge and starts his own dog walking business, SCAMPS.

As things heat up between the two rival businesses, the kids will find themselves making challenging decisions and reaching a breaking point. They will need to figure out how to resolve this and work together for the good of all involved.

What I loved: This is a highly engaging and relatable story. Middle grade readers will relate to the feeling of rivalries and nemeses while having to work together at school and navigate these relationship challenges. The book handles these well, while also showing the challenges to entrepreneurship and starting your own company plus handling all the logistics that come with it. While PAWS is more established, SCAMPS is getting off the ground and finding the market more difficult than anticipated.

There are many lessons to be learned as they navigate these spaces and relationship challenges. Feelings and businesses are in the crossfire, and both Gabby and Leo learn about communication, kindness, and the trouble with animosity.

The images are really fantastic throughout with lots of great color and expressive characters. The speech bubbles are easy to follow and attribute, without overloading any of the images. The presentation is perfect throughout and the format is perfect for the story.

Final verdict: PAWS: THE TROUBLE WITH LEO is a consuming and entertaining graphic novel with great themes for middle grade readers. Highly recommend for fans of friendship, creativity, and thoughtful stories.