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A review by wolfiegrrrl
A Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray (Scholastic Gold) by Ann M. Martin
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Squirrel is such a good dog who lives so many different lives throughout the course of her story and I am not ashamed to admit that I was sobbing through at least half of it.
This truly is a book about the different types of situations stray dogs can encounter out in the world. It teaches about their survival instincts, how they learn and develop relationships with humans through their experiences, and the different types of personalities of the dogs living on the streets. Also, it presents an interesting view of how dogs understand and experience emotions.
A Dog's Life prompts readers to empathize with the dogs in their lives, to treat them with gentleness and kindness instead of violence and anger. The author, like Squirrel, doesn't pass judgement; only hopes that we will be more thoughtful after having read her story. And it is a very good story indeed.
This truly is a book about the different types of situations stray dogs can encounter out in the world. It teaches about their survival instincts, how they learn and develop relationships with humans through their experiences, and the different types of personalities of the dogs living on the streets. Also, it presents an interesting view of how dogs understand and experience emotions.
A Dog's Life prompts readers to empathize with the dogs in their lives, to treat them with gentleness and kindness instead of violence and anger. The author, like Squirrel, doesn't pass judgement; only hopes that we will be more thoughtful after having read her story. And it is a very good story indeed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Confinement, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
There is some ageism from one character who appears a few times at the end of the book as well.