You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
emotional
Cutesy children's book. I haven't read too many children's books now as an adult and don't know exactly how to review them, but I picked this up at my nephew's book fair and can honestly say I have no regrets!! :)
This would be a great choice for a dog-mad youngster (after all that's the target audience) but didn't really do it for me.
Eva Ibbotson is perhaps better known for her humorous and inventive stories about ghosts and ogres, witches and magic. In this book all her characters are humans or dogs. There is no "wizard-type" magic; there is only the magic that exists between a dog and his owner.
Hal is a boy whose wealthy parents are preoccupied with their wealth and buying things. The only thing Hal wants is a dog. His mother refuses to allow a dog into her home where is could damage or destroy her expensive furnishings. On Hal's birthday his father rents Hal a dog for the weekend. He does not, however, tell Hal that the dog is rented; Hal believes his new dog--Fleck--is his forever.
Hal's mother returns the dog to EASY PETS while Hal is away. When Hal arrives home to find his beloved pet is gone, something finally breaks inside him. He no longer cares about anything. Hal's parents cannot understand his behavior--although anyone who has ever loved a dog can. Eventually Hal resolves to get Fleck back regardless of the consequences. Hal's and Fleck's journey first overlaps and then includes five additional dogs, also suffering through the indignity and misery of the EASY PETS establishment. Hal and Fleck's adventures are by turns solitary, touching and suspenseful. The reader experiences each attempt to separate this dog and his boy right along with title characters.
One Dog and His Boy is a wonderfully easy read. It's a great choice for either an independent or read-aloud selection. Admittedly a huge dog lover--I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has zoomed its way to the top of my all-time favorites list! If you love dogs--or even one dog in particular--this is the book for you!
I also recommend Eva Ibbotson's Ogre of Oglefort for a funny magical romp through a "princess-imprisoned-in-the-tower" theme with a hilarious twist and a dementedly funny cast of characters!
Hal is a boy whose wealthy parents are preoccupied with their wealth and buying things. The only thing Hal wants is a dog. His mother refuses to allow a dog into her home where is could damage or destroy her expensive furnishings. On Hal's birthday his father rents Hal a dog for the weekend. He does not, however, tell Hal that the dog is rented; Hal believes his new dog--Fleck--is his forever.
Hal's mother returns the dog to EASY PETS while Hal is away. When Hal arrives home to find his beloved pet is gone, something finally breaks inside him. He no longer cares about anything. Hal's parents cannot understand his behavior--although anyone who has ever loved a dog can. Eventually Hal resolves to get Fleck back regardless of the consequences. Hal's and Fleck's journey first overlaps and then includes five additional dogs, also suffering through the indignity and misery of the EASY PETS establishment. Hal and Fleck's adventures are by turns solitary, touching and suspenseful. The reader experiences each attempt to separate this dog and his boy right along with title characters.
One Dog and His Boy is a wonderfully easy read. It's a great choice for either an independent or read-aloud selection. Admittedly a huge dog lover--I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has zoomed its way to the top of my all-time favorites list! If you love dogs--or even one dog in particular--this is the book for you!
I also recommend Eva Ibbotson's Ogre of Oglefort for a funny magical romp through a "princess-imprisoned-in-the-tower" theme with a hilarious twist and a dementedly funny cast of characters!
A by the book boy and dog story, but that's what we all came here for, right?
Cute story about a boy and his dog. All that Hal wants in the world is a dog. But when his fussy mother, and absent father don't want the bother of a pet, they 'rent' a dog and forget to tell Hal that his friend is not here for good.
But in the end both boy and dog find a way to be together! The audio version was great-I enjoyed the narrator and the English accent.
Summary: When lonely, ten-year-old Hal learns that his wealthy but neglectful parents only rented Fleck, the dog he always wanted, he and new friend Pippa take Fleck and four other dogs from the rental agency on a trek from London to Scotland, where Hal's grandparents live.
But in the end both boy and dog find a way to be together! The audio version was great-I enjoyed the narrator and the English accent.
Summary: When lonely, ten-year-old Hal learns that his wealthy but neglectful parents only rented Fleck, the dog he always wanted, he and new friend Pippa take Fleck and four other dogs from the rental agency on a trek from London to Scotland, where Hal's grandparents live.
Fleck is a new breed of dog - a "Totteham Terrier". Well, not really but that is what Kaylie tells the owners of the rent a dog business where she works so that they will allow the little stray to stay. So when Hal comes with his dad, thinking he finally getting the dog he has always wanted,the dog and the boy find each other. It is love at first sight. This is a wonderful story of love (between human and animal)and adventure,including a circus,detectives,evil characters,orphans,monks with a truly happy ending for all.
I listened to a wonderful narrator read the story on an audio book and know that this would make a great read-a-loud in a classroom.
I listened to a wonderful narrator read the story on an audio book and know that this would make a great read-a-loud in a classroom.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Eva Ibbotson's final novel is heartfelt and also funny, as the heroes stumble along a long path to the North! The characters are likeable but Ibbotson didn't give any information on the character's looks, so we were just left to imagine.