LOVE THAT DOG
Author: Sharon Creech
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Copyright: 2001
Pages: 86
Reading Level: Ages 8-12
Genre: Poetry
Rating: **

Summary:
Jack doesn’t like poetry, but that doesn’t change the fact that the subject in school is poetry. Each kid has to write poetry, and read and respond to several poems. Jack starts off by saying he doesn’t like poetry and he doesn’t understand it. But from each of the poems he reads, writes about, or writes of his own we see that little does Jack know it, but he is writing poetry. The whole book is in poem form, and tells jack life thanks to a teacher who knows that every kid has poetry in him, Jack’s dog Sky, and some poems that hit home. The poem by Walter Dean Myers “Love that boy”, not only inspires Jack to write his poem about Sky but, Myers even comes to visit the class at Jack’s special request. After he visits the class on the last page we get to see Jack’s poem called “Love that Dog” and see how is poetry went from just talking, to actual poetry.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Kids struggling to read poetry or those who love poetry, as well as those looking for a quick read.

Potential problems/conflicts:
There is not a lot of detail so those that need a good storyline and the typical novel outline may not want to read this book. You also have to be able to follow the dialogue of one person to the next. It also talks about his dog that died...that could bring up tender memories in kids as well.

My reaction:
I won’t lie; I did not enjoy this book. Though it was a quick read, it never caught my interest. I was able to easily put down the book and was glad when I was done. This could have to do with the fact that I am the person who does not enjoy poetry I suppose but, I think in large, the main thing is that I like more of a story book writing style, verse a dialogue book.