Parents' Guide to

A Short Tale About a Long Dog: Here's Hank, Book 2

By Darienne Stewart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Likable hero shows he's responsible enough to have a pet.

A Short Tale About a Long Dog: Here's Hank, Book 2 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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If anything can be said about sympathetic protagonist Hank Zipzer, it's that his friends are terrific role models, willing to help him out when he's in a jam. Hank's poor grades are still causing friction with his dad in A SHORT TALE ABOUT A LONG DOG. The persevering second-grader earns the right to bring home a dog, but he still doesn't get the credit he deserves from his father. Hank stumbles a bit along the way, but he always does the hard work of making things right.

The class bully remains an ugly stereotype in this second book in the series -- Nick is presented as a large kid, and his heftiness is repeatedly emphasized. Emily's boldness in bringing Nick's behavior to his father's attention could be a springboard for talking about how bystanders can be upstanders.

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