Love That Dog
Parents say
Based on 3 reviews
Kids say
Based on 13 reviews
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Love That Dog by Sharon Creech is told in the form of a boy's free-verse journal entries. The boy, Jack, expresses his feelings on all sorts of things, but especially about his late dog, Sky. The book packs a load of emotional and intellectual depth into a very accessible package. Great for reluctant readers, and may inspire all readers to appreciate and try their hand at poetry.
Community Reviews
Love This Book
Report this review
All ages love it
Report this review
What's the Story?
In this free-verse journal Jack reluctantly comes to feel the power of poetry, and uses it to express his feelings about school, writing, poetry, Walter Dean Myers, and his late dog, Sky. Includes an appendix with most of the poems mentioned in the story.
Is It Any Good?
In this minor masterpiece, author Sharon Creech accomplishes so much with so little -- no synopsis can convey what makes this book so involving, moving, uplifting. She captures a story, a voice, a mind, a heart. She inspires readers to write their own poems and gives a meaningful demonstration of the power of the form.
While the poems at first seem unconnected, the book is in fact tightly structured, and all the way through Creech is unobtrusively weaving together strands that come poignantly together in an emotional climax. Although many children will finish this book in one or two sittings, it bears numerous rereadings and much fruitful discussion, and is a gift to parents and teachers of reluctant readers who want to help their children learn to delve more deeply into literature.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the format of the book and its effectiveness. Do you like the author's use of poetry for telling a story? Does it make the story more powerful?
How do you think writing free verse helps Jack express his feelings about his dog?
Book Details
- Author: Sharon Creech
- Genre: School
- Topics: Arts and Dance, Cats, Dogs, and Mice, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
- Publication date: February 15, 2004
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 95
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
-
How I Discovered Poetry
Poet's moving memoir in free verse charts '50s childhood.
-
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Irresistible collection of clever, hilarious poems.
-
Poem Depot: Aisles of Smiles
Short, funny poems a sure bet to delight kids.
For kids who love poetry
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate