One for the Dogs (Start Up Squad Graphic Novels #1)
February 3, 2026 by Philomel Books
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In this graphic novel, Resa, who appears in the Start Up Squad novels, is excited to visit her Abuela in Brooklyn, especially since she is allowed to bring her friends Harriet, Amelia, and Didi! After a day of sight seeing, Resa is feeling a little jealous of her friends, and when Abuela falls and sprains her ankle, she is alarmed that her friends know how to take care of her grandmother while she freezes. Resa decides to go help at Abuela's store the next day, and after talking to Parker and Nicole, whose grandmothers know Abuela, loans the girls money out of the store's till to start a dog bandana business. She thinks this is what her grandmother would do, and Resa loves to start new businesses. When she meets with Parker and Nicole, however, she isn't happy with the quality of their bandana production, and has a disagreement with them. She does meet them in the park to try to sell the bandanas, and not surprisingly, this doesn't go well. Resa's aunt brings the girls tickets to a Broadway show, and the four set off on the subway to see it. Things go well until Harriet gets off the subway on the way home to try to get a cell phone signal, but Resa had put a plan in place, and the group is soon reunited. Parker and Nicole want help, and the Start Up Squad meets with them to make some more bandanas, which sell. Resa is able to pay her grandmother back, although they have to talk about why it is wrong to borrow money without asking. The group also gets to go to a fashion show before heading home.
Strengths: There seem to be very few tweens with an entrepreneurial spirit, so it's good to see this sort of story written by someone who has been very involved in a variety of businesses. Resa has good business skills, even if she needs some work on her interpersonal ones. Visiting a grandparent always makes for a fun book, and I loved the little tour of New York City the girls got. The business aspect of this made sense, even if it was a bit suspicious that Resa gave two girls she didn't really know money! The business details were good, and the girls worked out their problems. Resa also is able to talk to her grandmother critically about her choices. The illustrations are cute, and I can see this being a big hit in elementary schools.
Weaknesses: This seems to be the fourth tale of the Start Up Squad, since it mentions their work selling t shirts, lemonade, and planning a wedding, but is the first graphic novel. I bought the first two novels, but they haven't circulated as much as I would like, perhaps because the girls seem younger. I don't remember Resa being so anxious or having troubles getting along with people.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like the Cupcake Diaries graphic novels or Vargas and Yovaniniz's The Do-Over .
Weaknesses: This seems to be the fourth tale of the Start Up Squad, since it mentions their work selling t shirts, lemonade, and planning a wedding, but is the first graphic novel. I bought the first two novels, but they haven't circulated as much as I would like, perhaps because the girls seem younger. I don't remember Resa being so anxious or having troubles getting along with people.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like the Cupcake Diaries graphic novels or Vargas and Yovaniniz's The Do-Over .
I recently revisited your blog, having found it pop up in a recent search. I am always in awe of your reading prowess. I skimmed your February posts and saw this one about the graphic novel addition to the "Start Up Squad" series. My students and I have read the first three, having copies provided by a local entrepreneurship non-profit. Students liked (but didn't love) the characters. I liked the all female cast, but Lemonade War has more universal appeal. Thanks for sharing. I am going to (slowly) make my way through some of your older posts. My students and I are currently reading: A Dog's Purpose, Seedfolks, Hunger Games, and The Outsiders. I never get tired of reading middle grade novels with my students. I especially love reading Hunger Games. The Outsiders always surprisingly connects with my 8th graders. Seedfolks works for us because of it's short length and connection to Cleveland (where I teach). First time reading A Dog's Purpose, but there are great lessons to accompany the novel including lessons on vivid verbs, strong emotional language, and sensory details. Plus students absolutely are empathetic and engaged with the story. Personally I am reading "Winter Soltice" by Rosamunde Pilcher. It's a cozy British winter novel and I am enjoying the cast of characters. Thanks again for keeping up with your blog. It's so impressive.
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