• Age: 7 to 10
• Grade: 1 to 4
• Reading age: 6 to 8

After her triumph at the science fair – winning a special award even though she wasn’t technically old enough to enter – Bernadette is ready to continue on with grade three. Her friendship with Annie, Keisha, and Megan – also known as “the Lunch Bunch” – continues to blossom. Bernadette and Keisha befriend an elderly neighbor, Mrs. March, and help her with her garden. As a bonus they get to play with Mrs. Marsh’s beautiful cocker spaniel, Lady. Could this bring Bernadette’s dream of owning a dog one step closer?! Things seem like they can’t get any better when Bernadette’s best friend Jasmine comes to stay with her for the Christmas holidays. They visit one of their favorite haunts, the science center, and conduct an experiment where they turn snow into ice cream. But Annie, Keisha, and Megan are not as impressed. Bernadette is so happy to be spending time with Jasmine that she ignores her new friends in the Lunch Bunch. Now Bernadette has to work hard to realize her mistake, and to prove to the Lunch Bunch that she values their friendship.

Born to Canadians living in Baltimore, MD, Susan Glickman convinced her parents to move home to Montreal at the age of one and a half. But that initial sense of being from somewhere never left her. She has lived in England, the United States, and Greece and extensively travelled across Europe, Asia, and America before settling in Toronto. Glickman's love for travel is matched by her love for books. She has worked in bookstores, in publishing, and as an English professor at the University of Toronto. Known for her lithe, rich poetry and brilliant literary criticism, Susan Glickman is the author of five highly regarded poetry collections, including Running in Prospect Cemetery: New & Selected Poems. Her critical study, The Picturesque and the Sublime: Poetics of the Canadian Landscape, won both the Gabrielle Roy Prize and the Raymond Klibansky Prize. Susan Glickman has been described as one of the finest of Canadian authors. She is a confident, gifted writer whose poetry and fiction exemplify beauty, insight, and power.

Susan Glickman's profile page

"Bernadette in the Doghouse is an all around winner, and readers will eagerly anticipate the third volume of the Lunch Bunch series."

Midwest Book Review

The text is broken up by Melanie Allard's engaging black-and-white illustrations -- the inclusion of which is a solid technique to help younger readers bridge the gap between picture books and junior novels -- and there's enough in the way of science and recipes to keep fans of the first book interested in the series.

Quill & Quire

The story may be a little rambling plot-wise, but the best-buds and pet themes are definitely in line with the interests of its intended Grade 3 readership.

Canadian Children's Book News

Glickman again portrays elementary-school life realistically. Bernadette’s difficulties juggling her friendships, her longing for a puppy of her own and her discomfort when her classmates think she’s responsible for the month-long Healthy Food Challenge will feel familiar. The relatively long, mostly un-illustrated chapters are best suited for the most able chapter-book readers, who will appreciate the challenge and are less often served by material appropriate to their lives and experiences.

Kirkus Reviews

Susan Glickman presents a cast of likable, believable characters who discover together what it means to be a friend...the important message makes this book a valuable addition to most collections serving chapter book readers.

AJL Reviews

This chapter book with a few black ink cartoon illustrations and a vibrant cover, is sure to capture any eight to twelve year old's confident, talented and curious girl’s heart.

Resource Links

The story comes full circle with Mrs. Marsh planting in the spring–and the birth of puppies. On the last page, Bernadette’s mother says “Maybe” to getting a dog... an accessible chapter book[.]

School Library Journal

Bernadette in The Doghouse

Bernadette in the Doghouse, the second chapter book in The Lunch Bunch series by author Susan Glickman, is a mixture of too many friends and not enough pets. Bernadette enjoys some unique activities with her gang, The Lunch Bunch. They make up new strategies for interesting lunches and visit an elderly woman and her wonderful dog (for which Bernadette pines). When Bernadette’s old friend, Jasmine, comes to visit, Bernadette gives exclusive time to her former bestie. Yet, she doesn’t understand why her new posse of pals is suddenly mad at her. The snubbed girl pours out her heart to her snugly hamster, Hamlet, who listens sympathetically. In the end, everything comes together. Bernadette reverses the friend situation, and it seems that her parents may be about to change their minds on their no-dog stance after the elderly woman’s dog has puppies. The story may be a little rambling plot-wise, but the best-buds and pet themes are definitely in line with the interests of its intended Grade 3 readership.

Bernadette in the Doghouse (A Lunch Bunch Book)

Bernadette continues her adventures with Annie, Keisha and Megan — “The Lunch Bunch.” Things are great until Bernadette ignores her new friends in favour of spending time with her old friend, Jasmine. Bernadette realizes she has a lot to learn about being a friend. This is the sequel to Bernadette and the Lunch Bunch.