What This Book Is About

The Underdogs are an elite squad of crime-fighting dogs who protect their town from all manner of mischief. There's Barkley, the fearless leader with a nose for trouble. There's Fang, the muscle of the operation. And there's Peanut, the tech genius who can hack into any doggy database. Together, they've solved every case that's come their way—until now.

A mysterious cat burglar is terrorizing the neighborhood, stealing precious items right from under everyone's noses. The Underdogs are on the case, but there's a problem: to catch a cat, they might actually need a cat. What follows is a hilarious, action-packed mystery filled with outrageous plot twists, laugh-out-loud humor, and Shiloh Gordon's brilliant comic-style illustrations that make every page pop. Written by the award-winning duo Kate and Jol Temple, this is the first book in a side-splitting series that proves even underdogs can save the day—especially when they learn to work with someone completely different from themselves.

Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.

Why We Recommend This Book

The Underdogs is a gateway mystery book that builds critical thinking through humor. The whodunit structure naturally teaches young readers to gather clues, form hypotheses, and revise their thinking as new evidence appears—exactly the comprehension strategies taught in Grade 3 English classes at international schools.

Beyond reading skills, the book delivers a powerful message about embracing differences. The dogs must learn to trust and cooperate with a cat—someone fundamentally unlike them—to solve the case. This theme of cross-cultural collaboration resonates deeply with UWC's mission. The comic-style illustrations and short, punchy chapters make it irresistible for reluctant readers, while the mystery plot rewards careful, engaged reading.