Tippy Lemmey [Paperback]

Patricia C. McKissack (Author), Susan Keeter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Ready-For-Chapters

A New Dog in Town

Tippy Lemmey is no ordinary dog. Not only is he the only dog Leandra, Paul, and Jeannie have ever met with a first and a last name, he's a living, breathing monster! When they ride their bikes, he chases them, snapping at their heels. When they run, he runs. If they cross the street, he follows. There's no getting away from him -- over him or under him. He's their number one enemy.

Leandra, Paul, and Jeannie try to come up with a plan to stop Tippy Lemmey, but nothing works. But then Tippy does something totally unexpected, and the kids realize that maybe he's not their enemy after all.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-In 1951, in Templeton, TN, Leanne Martin and her friends Paul and Jeannie are at war with Tippy Lemmey, a dog that frightens them. Believing him to be vicious, they strategize to win their conflict with him, eventually asking Leanne's parents to intervene. The kids learn that Tippy is simply a puppy who wants to play, and that his owner is fighting in Korea. Leanne remains unconvinced about the dog's good intentions, but when the friends see thieves stealing him and other neighborhood dogs to sell across state, they rescue the animals and are rewarded when Tippy gets them out of a dangerous situation. The believable characters learn not to judge by appearances and end up great pals with the pup. This charming and humorous story moves along at a fast pace, making it perfect for readers just venturing into chapter-book territory. Evocative black-and-white illustrations effectively portray the children's changing perceptions of Tippy Lemmey. A delightful addition to any collection.
B. Allison Gray, South Country Library, Bellport, NY
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. Narrator Leandra and her friends Jeannie and Paul agree that the new neighborhood dog, called Tippy Lemmey, has a "sweet teddy-bear face," but there's no question that he's making their lives miserable by chasing, barking, and snapping at them. Nothing they do seems to help. Then Tippy is dognapped, and the kids are torn between enjoying their peace and rescuing a critter they know is someone's beloved pet. Their decision to help their nemesis leads to unexpected troubles and a surprising discovery, as the pup eventually turns out to be a good doggy friend. Leandra is an observant, appealing narrator, whose dilemmas are sympathetically portrayed, and the book's short chapters, straightforward prose, and suspense will keep the pages turning. Although the story is set in 1951 in Templeton, Tennessee, and there are a few references to the Korean War, readers will be more involved with the canine conflict than the backdrop. Black-and-white drawings show African American Leandra and her buddies in action in this pleasing Ready-for-Chapters book that will appeal to fans of both animal stories and realistic fiction. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin; Original edition (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689850190
• ISBN-13: 978-0689850196
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #630,716 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet story, October 12, 2004

By 

Camille "at the BookMoot!" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Tippy Lemmey (Paperback)

Patricia C. McKissack always has a story worth telling. This is a lovely little tale about three children who are trying to cope with a mean neighborhood dog. Tippy Lemmey is a dog with a first AND last name and he is chasing them and snapping at their heels as they pass his turf. I loved the kids inventiveness as they try to out think and out run the dog. The children do not wish the dog harm even though he is making their life a misery. The story has a nice resolution, which is a relief--I always worry about "dog" stories (à la No More Dogs by Gordon Korman) With only 64 pages this is a perfect book for those children transitioning to "chapter books."

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 8yo son enjoyed, April 19, 2010

By 

Kim Christain "K" (CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tippy Lemmey (Paperback)

Part of SonLight homeschool curriculum. My son LOVED this book. He laughed out loud several times and pretty much told me the plot after reading each chapter. I had to read it myself after asking him the comprehension questions. The plot is a great example of how kids should deal with a difficult situation by asking their parents for help first, then finding the courage to do the right thing. It's also good for those that are a bit fearful of dogs.