Dogtown by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko
Reviewed by: Reviewed By: Jacob Roberts, Youth Services Specialist
Genre: Fiction
Suggested Age: 8-11 years old
What is the book about? Dogtown follows a three-legged dog, named Chance, and her life at a local dog shelter that has recently added robot dogs to their adoption list. Many of the “real” dogs disapprove of the new dogs, but one robot dog soon proves to be able to learn and maybe even feel like the “real” dogs in the shelter. Soon the robot dog, named Metal Head, shares its plan to escape and return to its owner—but it will need the help of Chance and another unlikely friend, Mouse, to help it escape back to its old life. Throughout the book, Chance contemplates what it means to love, be a dog, and have hope in a world that seemingly is stacked against dogs like her.
My Review: This book really surprised me. I enjoy many of the books that Applegate writes; however, I did not expect to enjoy this story so much. I read this book with my daughter, and she and I spent many hours laughing at the quirkiness of the book together, along with just feeling the pain that comes along with being abandoned that many shelter dogs must feel. It even had some good tips at the end for the reader on how to best help local shelters and take care of their own pets. I thought the story was really well down, and is a must read for all those who have a soft spot for dogs in their own life.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Noble, heartfelt, contemplative
Give This a Try if You Like…The Good Dog by Cam Higgins, The Underneath by Kathi Appelt, Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Rating: 5/5
