WHY I LOVE DOG STORIES

When I think about what relationships matter most in childhood, I think about:

1. family, as in parents, siblings and grandparents

2. pets

3. friends

These are the primary relationships that set the stage for all other relationships in a person's life. It is through loving - and losing- these people and animals that we first learn about love.

Which is why I was really excited when I heard about Bobbie Pyron's A DOG'S WAY HOME.

It is definitely a love story between a girl and her dog (or a dog and her girl). But don't be afraid to put this book into the non-dog lover's hand as well. It's really about a girl learning to fit into a new life, and it's got that Appalachian flair I particularly enjoy. Give it to your readers who like books by Kerry Madden, Kathryn Erskine and Deborah Wiles.

Here's the first two chapters to whet your appetite.

My homeschooler and I are also on a dog kick. We just completed CALL OF THE WILD by Jack London and we're currently listening to DOG SONG by Gary Paulsen. Next up is DOGSLED DREAMS by Terry Lynn Johnson.

If you have a dog book recommendation, I'd love to hear about it! And for more book talks, don't forget to visit Kelly at the Lemme Library for Book Talk Tuesday.