The World According to Dog: Poems and Teen Voices (Bccb Blue Ribbon Nonfiction Book Award (Awards)) [Hardcover]

Joyce Sidman (Author), Doug Mindell (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Bccb Blue Ribbon Nonfiction Book Award (Awards)

Funny, comforting, surprising, the words in this book explore our lives with dogs: dogs who befriend us; dogs who annoy, perplex, and accept us. Teens speak for themselves in honest and forthright essays while Joyce Sidman’s insightful poems further express the bond between dog and teen: how days of crowded hallways, pointless assignments, and blinding crushes are brought to balance by our dogs. For as Doug Mindell’s winning photographs confirm, at the end of the day, waiting at home, there is always Dog—full of hope and companionship.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-Sidman's poetic observations of beloved pets interspersed with short essays by teens are sure to engage dog fanciers. The poems, mostly blank verse with a scattering of haiku, are rueful, contemplative, and sensory as they comment on canine behavior indoors and out and on interaction with humans, other dogs, and the natural world: "-and I am trying to understand this/ecstasy of stink that has me/retching but made you/dive and roll, eyes closed in bliss-." The occasional pieces by young people recount special characteristics of the canines in their lives, sometimes with almost painful honesty. The finding of an abandoned puppy makes a positive change in more than one family. Another teen writes about the enduring spirit of a dog living with cancer. Small black-and-white photos of the featured animals accompany most of the essays. Mindell's larger photographs facing the poems are often in soft focus. Sometimes the blur is poetically suggestive, and sometimes the indistinct image is confusing. Overall, though, the impressive variety of breeds is winning. Sidman sometimes gropes for fitting imagery, but the pacing and flow of her poetry are sure and her appreciation of her subject is astute. Many readers will chuckle or sigh in empathy, and some may well be inspired to express their own thoughts about the world of dog in writing or pictures.
Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-12. Illustrated with striking, blurred, black-and-white photos, this collection muses on canine wisdom and charm--what dogs can teach us; why they are lovable. Interspersed with Sidman's original poems are short essays from teens--personal, heartfelt prose about intense bonds with dogs that will resonate with other teen dog lovers. But it's the poetry and the evocative images that are the collection's real attractions. Sidman uses a variety of poetic forms--including haiku, free verse, and a poem for two voices--and often explores a dog's world through its own eyes. The selections are funny, adoring, exasperated, and most of all grateful to these "warm, furred planets" for their companionship and life lessons. Sidman is at her best when drawing comparisons between the dog world and her own. In "Dog in Bed," she writes, "This is how it is with love. / Once invited, / it steps in gently, / circles twice, / and takes up as much space / as you will give it." Even teens who prefer cats will appreciate Sidman's tight lines, sincere emotion, and clever humor as she pays homage to a creature she loves. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (March 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618174974
• ISBN-13: 978-0618174973
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,747,217 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joyce Sidman is known for her fresh, inventive poetry for children. Her award-winning books include Dark Emperor (A Newbery Honor Book), Song of the Water Boatman and Red Sings from Treetops (both Caldecott Honor Books), Butterfly Eyes (Cybils Award), and This Is Just to Say (Claudia Lewis Poetry Award). A recent starred review in School Library Journal said, "Sidman's ear is keen, capturing many voices. Her skill as a poet accessible to young people is unmatched." Born in Connecticut, Joyce now lives in Minnesota. Visit her at www.joycesidman.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Speaks to the Dog-Lover!, October 3, 2003

By 

Lisa Johannes (Carrollton, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The World According to Dog: Poems and Teen Voices (Bccb Blue Ribbon Nonfiction Book Award (Awards)) (Hardcover)

What does the world look like according to a dog? It's all about noses, squirrels, stink, sleep, and love. The dogs of our worlds are not only the ones we turn to when we need love, but they are also our sources for laughter, philosophy, and for helping us feel as though our own lives have meaning.

The poems and short essays in this book represent the feelings of dog lovers and dog owners of all ages; yet, it is the words of young writers in the form of reflective essays that add the unique perspective to this book.

Some highlights of the book include the advice poem, "Always Take a Dog," which reminds you how to have a better morning walk and "The Usual Spots," the title of which refers to the places in the home where the dog waits in the different seasons of the year.

What will strike the reader first is the beauty of the book-the cover is inviting (making it okay to judge this book by its cover), and the high gloss, cleanly designed pages make each poem appear unique unto itself. The photographs on each page--some clear, some blurred, all black and white--are beautiful representations of the emotions of the poem; they were taken by Doug Mindell in response to the writing.

Non-dog lovers may have a difficult time understanding the big deal given to moments like when a puppy nibbles on your toes, but the beautiful verse and descriptive word choice will not be unappreciated by anyone. Verses like, "I want to / gather you back / midair / that handful of puppy / you once were / keep you curled / in my palm," are sweet and sentimental, and they're sure to cause the reader to let out a little, "Awww."

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very original collection, April 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The World According to Dog: Poems and Teen Voices (Bccb Blue Ribbon Nonfiction Book Award (Awards)) (Hardcover)

This book was incredibly eloquent. The poetry that Joyce Sidman wrote makes all of my fellow dog-lovers teary-eyed: the poems really capture the essence of the bond between a dog and its owner. The essays are also unique and heartfelt. They really contradict the common stereotype of shallow and immature teenagers. The photographs complement the writing in a simple and touching way. I reccommend this book to anyone!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent work, March 11, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The World According to Dog: Poems and Teen Voices (Bccb Blue Ribbon Nonfiction Book Award (Awards)) (Hardcover)

This book was excellent. Teens offer such a unique perspective on dogs. Joyce makes me see both my dog and the world in a new light.