Author/Illustrator: Kathi Appelt/David Small
Plot Summary: A dog, permanently chained to his mean owner's porch, is joined by a cat and her kittens. Their depressing life is made more uplifting by their endurance and tenacity to remain together and to be free.
Comments: A graphic depiction of animal cruelty, some children, especially sensitive children, may be upset by this book. I would be concerned that a read aloud would cause nightmares. I don't even know if I would suggest reading it ones own children. Book features a psychopath as a main character.
Extensions:
1. Eighth grade students may benefit from writing a "response to literature" discussing good versus evil; describing a situation in which they felt "chained" or unable to move or make a decision; or the importance of friendship in their lives.
Themes/keywords: survival, dogs, cats, bayous, friendship, family
Age/Reading Level: Interest level: 4 - 8; ATOS - 5.2; Lexile - 830
Standards:
ELA6RC2/ELA7RC2/ELA8RC1 - The student participates in discussions related to curricular learning in all subject areas.
ELA6W2/ELA7W2/ELA8W2 - The student demonstrates competence in a variety of genres.
ELA8R1 - The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational texts.
Publisher's Info: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, New York 2008
ISBN-13: 978-1-41695-058-5
ISBN-10: 1-41695-058-3
Awards/Review Sources:
Wilson's Children 01/01/09 | Newbery Medal/Honor 01/26/09 |
| Booklist starred 05/15/08 | Horn Book 10/01/08 |
| Kirkus Review 04/01/08 | Library Media Connection 08/01/08 |
Genre/Dewey: Fiction
Websites:
This is the Amazon site. It is interesting to note some of the "1" reviews included one from a fourth grade teacher. http://www.amazon.com/Underneath-Notable-Childrens-Books-Readers/dp/1416950583
Notes for Booktalk:
Vocabulary:
Comments