No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman

"Any book with an award medal on it and a picture of a dog always has a canine casualty", observes Wallace Wallace. That's why he's not surprised that the book assigned in 8th grade English class, Old Shep, My Pal, has a similar plot. He gives his honest opinion of the book to his English teacher, and finds himself assigned to detention. Wallace cannot tell a lie (it's against his personal policy), so he ends up missing weeks of football practice in detention because he refuses to change his opinion. Detention takes place in the auditorium during the school play practices. Wallace is horrified to find out that this year's play is Old Shep, My Pal directed by his English teacher (who loves the book). Bit by bit, Wallace Wallace makes suggestions to improve the play, and he makes some new friends in the process.