Dog Trouble by Kristin Varner came up in my older online reader copies. I was at first not thinking I would read as I am a cat, not dog person, and the cover made me think I knew what was going to happen (a lot of chasing rowdy dogs that really aren’t cute but annoying and a kid who doesn’t “get” the seriousness of things). But it was more than that. 
At first things felt like “all the other books” about separated and/or divorced families and the issues that happen. There is a step-mother and younger sister. The dad was going to play “favorites” with his step-daughter/the sister . But once we got to see the dogs and the changes the main character has with understanding his responsibilities and becoming part of this new family, things started to really happen and I found myself enjoying reading. Granted, there were a few bumps, but overall everything was pleasurable. The art is very simple, and as I read via the online reader, I am not sure how they will look finished, but I am assuming things will not change too much, so they are not in color, very minimalistic and quick to read as the text is.
I enjoyed how each chapter starts with one of the main dogs that we will see in the book. They are mostly dogs that are in the shelter our main character volunteers at during his summer on the island his father lives on (versus the city where his mother and he live full time). There are a few other dogs in the story, but the main ones set the tone of that chapter and move things along. There are also footnotes that will help with some of the vocabulary and situations/issues and things that are shown (such as a puppy mill). And even though there is talk of puppy mills, one or two of the dogs were abandoned and/or abused, and there’s at least two animal deaths, it is really very well done and good for most ages.
Plus, there is an author note that is interesting to read. The conclusion is: If you’re a dog person this is for you. And if you are a horse person, read Horse Trouble by Varner(equally good!)