Martin, Ann M. Because of Shoe.

Martin, Ann M.    Because of Shoe.  Macmillan/Henry Holt    261p  $15.99      978-0-8050-9314-8 elm/ms            VG      Animal stories   

The nine short stories in this collection are organized by reading level, from the easiest-to-read to the most difficult.  This allows readers at many levels to enjoy the heartwarming and funny dog stories, written by several famous authors who are not especially known for animal stories.  The stories included in this collection are sometimes hilariously funny, or poignant, or thoughtful, or endearing.  The styles vary as well.  One is written in free verse.
 

There is a story about Max the Dax catching a dog-napper, a story about a boy and dog who rescue a little lost boy, stories from the dog’s point of view, and one about how Shoe got her name.  There is a story about a dog named Peanut who is mistaken for a wolf, and even one about a boy who turns into a dog.  In short, a little bit of everything.  The book will be enjoyed by readers who love their dog, wish they had a dog, or fondly remember a past dog.

This book is recommended for grades 4-7.  Everyone will find at least one story he or she can relate to in this varied collection.
     

Short stories, Dog stories                                                                              -- Joan Theal 

One Dog and His Boy

Ibbotson, Eva     One Dog and His Boy      

Scholastic/Grolier/Childrens Press/Watts 2012   282p  $16.99      978-0-545-35196-6     elm/ms     VG       Animal stories   

Ibbotson’s latest book keeps up her winning streak.  Hal, the son of ultra-rich parents, wants nothing more than a dog of his own.  His parents are too self-absorbed in their own worlds to pay any real attention to Hal, and they give him material things rather than their love and interest.  When his father discovers that he has forgotten Hal’s birthday once again, he finally relents and tells Hal that he can have a dog.  In actuality, Fleck, the "Tottenham terrier" Hal picks out, is only a weekend rental dog.  When Hal discovers this duplicity, he and Fleck run off to his paternal grandparents.  He is aided in his adventures by Pippa, the younger sister of the young woman who works at Easy Pets.  Pippa is so incensed by the poor treatment of the dogs that she frees another four dogs and they all join Hal in his trek north.  Filled with swashbuckling adventures and lots of plot action, the children and dogs move from city to circus to orphanage to a sheep farm, facing attempted abductions by nefarious characters, until they finally reach sanctuary and all find a place of peace and joy.  Loyalty and devotion do gain their just rewards.           

VG    Susan Ogintz      Dog stories

 

Scooter in the Outside

  Bowen, Ann    Scooter in the Outside        

Holiday House     2012  unp   $16.95

978-0-8234-2326-2       elem    VG    Animal stories   

Geared toward elementary students, this title introduces young readers to Scooter, a big dog who loves being outside and going for walks with his friend Lucy.  The two friends take walks through the neighborhood, share precious moments together in the house, and love being with each other.  When Lucy goes to school one day, she fails to close the front door and Scooter sees the opening and goes outside to explore all the things he loves outside.  Even though Scooter is excited to be outside at first, he soon realizes that the outside world is scarier than being with Lucy.  Scared and lonely, he lies beneath a tree and is relieved when Lucy comes along and brings him back to his safe, loving home. 

The illustrator uses beautiful watercolor paints and black pencil to convey a loving story of a girl and her dog.  The author uses easy-to-comprehend text, dog sounds, and humor that young readers will enjoy.  There is an Accelerated Reader quiz for this book, quiz #149501.  

     

VG    Charleen Forba-Mayer    Dog stories, Easy readers