Love That Dog

Creech, S. (2001). Love that dog. NY: HarperCollins.

About the Book

Love that Dog is written in poetic verse. A boy named Jack is writing back and forth with his teacher. He begins the book hating poetry and writing very simple poems about his dog. Over the course of the book he begins to really appreciate the art of poetry and attempts to write his own. He is also eager to meet a real live poet and invites his favorite to come speak at his school.

Similarities and Differences to El Deafo, Brown Girl Dreaming, Wonderstruck

What makes Love That Dog different? - Written as a series of free-verse poems.

A boy struggles with an understanding poetry and becomes a poet by the end.

     What are some similarities between the 4 books? - All four books have won multiple literary awards. The audience for all the books is the middle grades, 3-8. Each books premise is based on real world issues (realistic fiction)

What might appeal to a reader in “your library”?

A reader in my library might like: The Novel is written in poetic verse. The silly poems are about the dog. The real feelings the boy expresses in his poems to his teacher. That it is a short book.

How would you sell these books? I would display it during a poetry display/unit. I would encourage reluctant readers/struggling readers to give it a try. Let them know that the text of the story is written in short simple poems, which is very different from most fiction books.