Customer Reviews

Notes from the Dog

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4 star:		(7)
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I read NOTES FROM THE DOG by Gary Paulsen over a month ago and for some reason I have put off writing my review. I'm not exactly sure why I've procrastinated for so long (it really isn't like me), but I am worried that I won't be able to express how much I appreciated this book. I also desperately wanted Booking Daughter to read it so I could get her input. I have a feeling that it's one of those middle grade books that ended up affecting me much more than it did her. I both laughed and cried as I read this story; and I didn't want the book to end.

One reason that I enjoyed this book so much was that I absolutely loved Finn, the 14 year-old narrator of this story. At the beginning of the book, he is a major introvert who is just trying to get through the summer with the least amount of interaction with people. My heart went out to him at times because of his insecurities, yet I also thought he was wise beyond his years at times. I thought the author did a wonderful job creating Finn's voice, and I loved the Finn's humor and insights into life. He was an extremely memorable character to me, and you couldn't help but root for him to come out of his shell.

Another character that I adored was Finn's neighbor Johanna. Johanna was a young woman who dealing with breast cancer. Not only did I find her battle with cancer to be inspiring (she had so much hope and strength), but I absolutely loved what she did for Finn. By getting Finn focused on creating a garden, she taught him so many wonderful life lessons. Without Johanna in his life, I'm not sure what would have become of Finn!

I don't know what rock I've been living under, but I've never read any books by Mr. Paulsen before. He is one of the most celebrated children's authors having won the Newberry Honor award three times. He is also winner of the 1997 Margaret A. Edwards Award which honors an author's lifetime contribution to writing books for teenagers. After reading NOTES FROM THE DOG, I will definitely be checking out some more of his books.

NOTES FROM THE DOG was definitely a tear-jerker for me! I sat in my room one evening and just bawled. Don't get me wrong, this book was sad; but for some reason, I think my tears were actually tears of joy. This story definitely could have been a downer, but I think because Mr. Paulsen incorporate so much humor into the story that it became a story about life rather than death. I just found Finn's story to be so beautiful and heart-warming; and I was left with such a hopeful feeling after I finished this book. I highly recommend this novel not only to middle grade kids, but to anyone who loves a good story.

For me the definition of a good writer is someone who can take a cliche, predictable story, and make me cry like a babe anyway.

"Notes From the Dog" is just such a book. And Paulsen had me with tears streaming down my cheeks. Sometimes from laughing so hard, and sometimes in sympathy with the characters pain and anguish.

No doubt, the story won't hit everyone that way. But I really loved this simply told story of two 14 year-old boys, and the young college girl they come to love and support as she battles cancer.

Talking Points:::
AR (accelerated reading) level 4.7

This is a sweet story for Middle-schoolers (even Tweeners) on Up.
(OK, it's not for grumpy adults)

a mini-review
(pam ex booksforkids-reviews)

Gary Paulsen's NOTES FROM THE DOG tells of teen Finn, a loner living with his father and his dog Dylan. His growing friendship with a 20-year-old girl next door and his involvement with her struggles with breast cancer make for an unusual coming of age story: poignant, funny and different.

It's hard to find a 12 year old who has not read Hatchet. However, I find that those same kids have not heard of the books I especially enjoyed from Gary Paulsen, like Harris and Me and Cookcamp and now I can add this title. The story is about a boy who wants nothing to do with other people, because he is a miserable failure at relationships of almost any kind. He meets a woman who has cancer, and things begin to change. She is one of those characters we all wish were real people. She sees something in the boy, draws him out, and leaves him a better person for having known her. It sounds silly and trite, but wasn't. Then, there is the dog. He is the ultimate in judging character and giving comfort, of course. She sends notes to the boy through the dog. He knows the notes are from her. They don't discuss the notes. Yet, they bolster the boy's confidence and sense of himself. A quick read for an adolescent. A boy or girl would be able to appreciate the story.

Fourteen-year-old Finn Duffy is not big on people. "It's not that I don't like people," Finn muses, "but they make me uncomfortable. I feel like an alien dropped onto a strange planet and that I always have to be on the lookout for clues and cues on how to act and what to say."

After spending the school year in forced interactions with hundreds of other people, Finn plans to spend his summer with his Dad, his friend Matthew, and his fabulous dog Dylan. If all goes well, he'll be reading all day every day and speak to no more than a dozen different people during the whole summer vacation.

Finn's plans evaporate as soon as he and Matthew meet his new neighbor, Johanna. Johanna is a graduate student and, at only twenty-three, she's battling breast cancer. Johanna hires Finn to build her a garden and she becomes a true friend to both him and Matthew. The two boys become involved with Johanna's fund-raising efforts on behalf of breast cancer research and over the course of the summer, Finn discovers that he has a talent for connecting with people after all.

I ordered this book for my 13 yo son for Christmas. He's a big reader and devoured it in a day. He liked it.

As a long-time Gary Paulsen fan, I'm always excited when I see he has a new book. NOTES FROM THE DOG goes in a slightly different direction than most of Paulsen's previous books. His dedication gives a hint about the topic within - "This book is dedicated with all respect and hope to everyone who has ever faced cancer."

When a bald young woman in her early twenties moves in next door to Finn, it changes his life forever. As a loner who has vowed to spend his summer avoiding people, Finn is none too happy when his dog, Dylan, and this new neighbor seem to hit it off immediately.

Johanna wastes no time befriending the shy Finn and the energetic Dylan. She casually explains her baldness by describing herself as a recent survivor of breast cancer. There is something about her that brings out the best in Finn, and he soon finds himself doing her bidding as he works diligently to create a beautiful garden out of his own neglected backyard.

Finn's friend, Matthew, joins in the friendship with Johanna, and together the three have some interesting summer adventures. The main project they embark on is fundraising for a survivor triathlon Johanna is planning to enter. Through his friendship with Johanna, Finn discovers he has more of a talent for connecting with people and gardening than he ever imagined.

Although Paulsen doesn't take his readers on the usual adventure in some far-off wilderness, his fans will still find Finn and his dog, Dylan, worthy of their attention.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Gary Paulsen is an amazing and increadbly funny writer. I could NOT put this book down....which is really hard because I get bored easily.

My family has enjoyed a number of Gary Paulsen's books over the years. He is an engaging storyteller for both children and adults. Even with our enjoyment of his previous works of both fiction and non-fiction, we were captivated by "Notes from the Dog". This is a charming tale filled with compelling characters. The story addresses the issues of childhood isolation, non-traditional families, community, and a young adult fighting cancer. These topics are not for young children, but can open the door for family discussions of relevance. We truly enjoyed the story and hope for many more fine stories from Mr. Paulsen.

I found notes from the dog to be an tremendous book. The characters where real and had an amazing amount a depth for such a short story. I found the bits of wisdom, humor and friendship to be inspiring and challenging. I would recommend this book to anyone that has ever doubted themselves and longed for better relationships.