A review by leahgustafson
Dogtown by Katherine Applegate, Gennifer Choldenko

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

I am so grateful to NetGalley, Katherine Applegate, and Gennifer Choldenko for the advanced copy of this phenomenal new middle grade book (out September 19th). I absolutely adore this one! 
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This book is set in a shelter (Dogtown) where Chance and other dogs have found themselves due to a variety of unfortunate circumstances. These “flesh and blood” dogs ban together against the robot dogs who are also at the shelter and are now very popular among humans. Things take an interesting turn when Chance is asked to help Metal Head, one of the robot dogs. 
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I love how this book portrays the loving, loyal, goodness of dogs. The way the dogs in this story love and long for their humans reminds me that we, as humans, are not worthy of our dogs. The friendship between the dogs (and Mouse) remind me of the friendship/bonds in The One and Only Ivan. This made my heart SO happy! Dogtown is also a great story about having compassion for others who may be different from you and the importance of getting to know people (and their story). 
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Wallace West's illustrations throughout this entire text were adorable. I know this will become a read aloud favorite in my 3rd grade classroom for years to come! I have already told so many of my students from last year about it. 
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