Sunday, April 18, 2010

Review: How To Steal A Dog

Title: How to Steal A Dog
Author: Barbara O'Connor


From GoodReads, "Half of me was thinking, Georgina, don’t do this. Stealing a dog is just plain wrong. The other half of me was thinking, Georgina, you’re in a bad fix and you got to do whatever it takes to get yourself out of it.

Georgina Hayes is desperate. Ever since her father left and they were evicted from their apartment, her family has been living in their car. With her mama juggling two jobs and trying to make enough money to find a place to live, Georgina is stuck looking after her younger brother, Toby. And she has her heart set on improving their situation. When Georgina spots a missing-dog poster with a reward of five hundred dollars, the solution to all her problems suddenly seems within reach. All she has to do is “borrow” the right dog and its owners are sure to offer a reward. What happens next is the last thing she expected.

With unmistakable sympathy, Barbara O’Connor tells the story of a young girl struggling to see what’s right when everything else seems wrong."

     This book, which is nominated for the Nebraska Golden Sower award, was just picked as a favorite in our school.  It is loved by both boys and girls... and I can see why.  It is a terrific book!  It is one of those books that makes you appreciate what you have.  For example, the main character, Georgina Hayes and her family are homeless.  It isn't that her mother doesn't try to keep their family together and in a house.  She works, in fact she works a lot.  It's just that she struggles to stay ahead which leaves Georgina left to take care of her little brother.  Then Georgina comes up with an idea.  It's the kind of idea that makes perfect sense, but is also the kind of idea that is totally wrong.  
     The messages of the book are thought-provoking and lend themselves to great discussions.  There aren't many books that talk about the issue of homelessness quite the way this book does.  I love the fact that even though Georgina's family is homeless, they still have terrific family dynamics. It really shows that all kinds of people can find themselves in the same situations that Georgina's family deals with.  This is a well-written book with lots of good messages for both kids and parents alike.  It would make a terrific read-aloud book.  Go to your nearest library and check it out!

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