A Dog for Life [Paperback]

L.S. Matthews (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

This is the true story of the journey of John Hawkins and his dog, Mouse, from way up north to way down south.
Mouse has been John and his brother Tom's dog for life. They got her as a puppy when they were just little themselves, and they very quickly discovered that they could understand everything Mouse said and she could do the same. She was just a person like everyone else--though maybe a bit cleverer than most.
You've maybe heard that John "ran away with his pet dog." But the truth about this story is that John and Mouse made the journey to save Tom. It's hard to pinpoint when Tom became truly ill, but when the doctors said they had to send Mouse away for fear of infection, the boys knew they had to do something. Without Mouse, Tom would never recover. The journey began to find a temporary home for Mouse, but once they'd set off, nothing turned out the way they'd planned.


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8–Like Matthews's Fish (Delacorte, 2004), this is a tale about a journey of discovery and the importance of holding onto the things that matter in troubled times. John Hawkins, the narrator, and his brother, Tom, have a dog that can communicate with them psychically. When Tom becomes ill, the doctor says that the pup must go, but the boys know that Mouse is essential to Tom's recovery. To keep the canine from being sent to the pound, John and Mouse set out on a journey to find a temporary home for the dog with an uncle they haven't seen in years. Along the way, they encounter an ineffectual New Age healer and her family, a scientist who performs experiments on stolen animals, and a persecuted Roma family who help them reach their goal. Although John and Mouse encounter some disturbing situations, the childlike tone and magical elements of the narrative keep it age appropriate. Mouse is an engaging character whose wry observations of the foibles of human beings contrast with John's naïveté, and readers will be rooting for the pair to succeed in their quest. Highly enjoyable.–Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* As young John Hawkins tells it, you may have heard his story: on a journey from the north of England to the south, John and his dog, Mouse, save a drowning child, rescue several ponies marked for death by a money-grubbing scientist, and make sure a gypsy family is safe from a mob. But John feels no one has gotten his story quite right, so he's telling it himself, beginning when his older brother, Tom, is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Then comes more disheartening news: Tom's susceptibility to infection means no pets are allowed. But Mouse is no ordinary dog. Mouse, Tom, John share a special bond: they can read each other's thoughts, and together they come up with a plan. John will head to the home of the boys' uncle, and leave Mouse there until Tom recovers. Yes, there are problems with the plan. They haven't been in touch with Uncle David for years, and there's not enough money for a train ticket. But that doesn't stop the intrepid travelers. This is a little gem--part adventure and part heartfelt family story, dusted with magic realism. True, the premise is a little weak, but after that initial head-scratcher, the story sails forward in picaresque fashion, told in John's resolute voice. Everything is a bit unexpected here, except for the satisfying end. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (February 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440421578
• ISBN-13: 978-0440421573
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.5 x 7.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,585,495 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A dangerous journey, January 6, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Dog for Life (Hardcover)

L.S. Matthews' A DOG FOR LIFE tells of Mouse, who is anything more than an ordinary pet dog. John and his brother got Mouse when they were kids and they discover early on that Mouse is as clever as a person - but when Tom falls ill and Mouse may be sent away to the pound, the brothers have to do something that involves a dangerous journey to find a temporary home for Mouse.

9 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Shocker!, June 19, 2007

By 

Mark W. (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Dog for Life (Audio CD)

An interesting storyline, but there is talk of metaphysics and many uses of inappropriate language and cussing. I would certainly not consider this a book for children, unless you're fine with them hearing swear words like goddamn, etc).