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Love That Dog

By: Sharon Creech
Narrated by: Scott Wolf
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Publisher's summary

The Newbery Medal-winning author of Walk Two Moons, Sharon Creech, brings listeners a story with enormous heart. This middle grade audiobook is an excellent choice for tween listeners in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. It’s a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom.

Love That Dog shows how one boy named Jack finds his voice with the help of a teacher, a pencil, some yellow paper, and, of course, a dog. Written as a series of free-verse poems from Jack's point of view, and with classic poetry included in the back matter, this novel is perfect for kids and teachers, too.

Jack hates poetry. Only girls write it and every time he tries to, his brain feels empty. But his teacher, Miss Stretchberry, won't stop giving her class poetry assignments - and Jack can't avoid them. But then something amazing happens. The more he writes, the more he learns that he does have something to say.

"I guess it does look like a poem when you see it typed up like that."

©2001 Sharon Creech (P)2002 HarperCollins Publishers
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Critic reviews

  • Book Sense Book of the Year Award Finalist, Children's Literature, 2002

"Readers will love that dog, and this book." (Publishers Weekly)
"Creech has created a poignant, funny picture of a child's encounter with the power of poetry....This book is a tiny treasure." (School Library Journal)

What listeners say about Love That Dog

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Cute!

Such a great and powerful book for young readers in upper elementary (4/5 grade)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Quirky, fun, and effective

This fun little book made me thankful for teachers like the fictional Mrs. Stretchberry who inspire their students. Scott Wolf's narration is perfect and really helps make it work.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Short, sweet, and meaningful

This book shows a young boy's growing passion for poetry and gained respect for poets.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Use this book in my classroom

What did you love best about Love That Dog?

I use it to teach plot: narrative elements and theme. I can then pull it back out for the poetry unit. The audio version added to the experience.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Miss Stretchberry..........model of what teachers strive to do

Which scene was your favorite?

I love the entire book. However, when Jack wants to learn to "type" I get excited as he is taking responsibility for his own learning. This is huge for a student and one I always point out to my own class.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes ...but that would be a spoiler

Any additional comments?

I have used "Love That Dog" as a read loud in second and third grade. It works even better in sixth grade, as the depth of meaning, and literary devices can be discussed more effectively. It is a book that almost every student can relate to.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Creative and Inspiring!

I love how this book shows the thoughts of a writer. It is short yet powerful. I chose it because all of the 4th grade students where I work have to read it.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

Made me cry when the poem about the dog came on, I can relate in but different way.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love that book...

If you could sum up Love That Dog in three words, what would they be?

love that book :)

What other book might you compare Love That Dog to and why?

Can't think of anything other than Crash by Spinelli and The Tiger Rising by DiCamillo because the main characters seem like they could be the same kid.

Have you listened to any of Scott Wolf’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

I teach small groups and they all were interested and glad to be able to hear it all in one sitting. It was also used later for a whole class listen and discussion.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

fun short read.

What made the experience of listening to Love That Dog the most enjoyable?

Scott Wolf does a fantastic job! While the story doesn't have much of a plot, I was entertained the whole way through.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Love That Dog?

There are many memorable points throughout this story, since it's sort of about a young school boy learning about himself and becoming an author ... the most memorable point is probably near the end...

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

I didn't come away with any particular "inspiration" from this story, nor find it an enthralling; but it is still worth the read if you're looking for a short simple story for entertainment.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Audio weakness

Narrator was okay - no exceptional. There was a real problem with the volume level. I've never experienced this problem before with Audible. I had to turn my car radio to full volume, and it still was not loud enough. Strange.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Best bookever

I have the Real book but this this one is better I like listening to audiobooks.

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