For anyone who has ever wanted a puppy, the DOG DIARIES series tells a dog's story in a new way--from a dog's point of view! Focusing on a different breed for each book, these stories are based on true dog stories or on true-to-life situations. With realistic black-and-white illustrations by renowned illustrator Tim Jessel and a factual appendix, dog-loving early chapter book readers will beg for more!
Born in a puppy mill, Ginger the golden retriever looks back on her life and the various people who have "owned" her. Abruptly separated from her mother, litter-mates, and the wire cage that was her whole world, Ginger is shuttled from one harrowing situation to another until she finally escapes, living as an outlaw with a pack of wild dogs. But freedom doesn't feel so good once she becomes hungry and cold and sick. Will Ginger ever find a furever family to call her own?
Appendix features information about puppy mills, breed rescue groups, animal shelters, choosing a pet, and the history of golden retrievers.
From Booklist
Series are to middle-grade readers as bones are to dogs. That means that the portion of the chapter-book audience that is animal crazy will likely take to this first title in the new Dog Diaries series, which tells each story from a dog’s point of view. In her canine journal, Ginger tells her life story enthusiastically and guilelessly, as you might expect of a golden retriever. Puppy-mill born, she has a run of rotten luck with her owners and winds up a stray. Rescued by an animal-control officer and brought to a shelter, she eventually finds happiness with exactly the right boy, Corey. How do we know he’s right? Well, Ginger calls him by name when all the other people in her life are referred to by such names as Yummy Crumb Man, Skinny Man, and Bad Dog Walker. This gets a tad cutesy at times, but a more serious note in the end matter attempts to educate readers about puppy mills, rescue groups, and picking a dog for a pet. This will definitely fill a need at most libraries. Grades 2-5.—Karen Cruze
About the Author
KATE KLIMO is the author of many books for young readers, including The Dragon Keepers and all the books in the Dog Dairies series. She lives in New Paltz with her husband and two horses, Harry and Fancy. Over the years, she has served as companion to eight dogs: Pal, Beauregard, Fred, Kelly, Bear, Rascal, Dobey, and George W. Currently, she is searching for a furever friend who gets along well with horses. To learn more about her and her work, visit www.kateklimoauthor.com.
TIM JESSELL is an award-winning illustrator whose work has appeared in numerous children's books. He is the illustrator of all the books in the Dog Diaries series. Check out his work at timjessell.com.
Age Range: 7 - 10 years
Grade Level: 2 - 5
Lexile Measure: 620L
