Book excerpt: [This series] is for kids who can appreciate a little more action and a lot more voice in their reading. (There's more than a hint of Lemony Snicket's dark hilarity in Gutman's writing.)―Jenny Rosenstrach, The New York Times It's Christmas once again. But this year, Dumpster Dog and Flat Cat have decided they're going to celebrate in a house instead of their trash can! But can they find a home for Christmas? Enter the Noel family. Dumpster Dog scratches at their door, which is opened by the young Marie. How wonderful, she thinks, to finally have a disgustingly dumpy dog to leave under the tree for my brother. With that, she opens the door...