How to Steal a Dog : A Novel
Author(s): Barbara O'Connor
Don't miss Barbara O'Connor's other middle-grade work—like Wish; Wonderland; Greetings from Nowhere; Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia; The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester; and more!
Half of me was thinking, Georgina, don't do this. Stealing a dog is just plain wrong. The other half of me was thinking, Georgina, you're in a bad fix and you got to do whatever it takes to get yourself out of it.
Georgina Hayes is desperate. Ever since her father left and they were evicted from their apartment, her family has been living in their car. With her mama juggling two jobs and trying to make enough money to find a place to live, Georgina is stuck looking after her younger brother, Toby. And she has her heart set on improving their situation. When Georgina spots a missing-dog poster with a reward of five hundred dollars, the solution to all her problems suddenly seems within reach. All she has to do is "borrow" the right dog and its owners are sure to offer a reward. What happens next is the last thing she expected.
How to Steal a Dog is a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year. This title has Common Core connections.
Review(s):
“Will keep youngsters totally engaged. This novel's gentle storytelling carries a theme of love and emphasizes what is really right in the world.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review
“This is truly Georgina's story, and to O'Connor's great credit, it's Georgina herself who figures out what's right and does it. The myriad effects of homelessness and the realistic picture of moral quandary will surely generate discussion.” —Booklist
“A suspenseful and achingly realistic story.” —Kirkus Reviews
“O'Connor knows how to spin a touching story, and reading this novel is its own reward.” —The Horn Book
“O'Connor once again smoothly balances challenging themes with her heroine's strength and sense of humor.” —Publishers Weekly
“Will give a more privileged audience much to ponder.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“A must-have for a classroom library.” —IRA
Long-listed South Carolina Children's Book Award ML, Long-listed Rhode Island Children's Book Award ML, Minnesota Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award Master List, Long-listed Minnesota Maud Hart Lovelace Book A ML, Long-listed Iowa Children's Choice Award Master List, Long-listed Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List, Tennessee Intermediate Volunteer State Book Award Master List, IRA Notable Books for a Global Society, Long-listed Illinois Bluestem Book Award ML (2011), Long-listed Indiana Young Hoosier Award Master List, South Dakota Prairie Pasque Children's Book Award Master List, Long-listed Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year (2008), Winner South Carolina Children's Book Award, Winner CCBC Choice (Univ. of WI), Long-listed School Library Best Books of the Year, South Dakota Prairie Pasque Children's Book Award (2010), Long-listed Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice A. ML, Long-listed North Carolina Children's Book Award ML, Long-listed Kentucky Blue Grass Award Master List, School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, Long-listed Booklinks Lasting Connection, Long-listed IRA Notable Books for a Global Society (2008), Long-listed Nebraska Golden Sower Award Master List, Rhode Island Children's Book Award Master List, Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award Maser List, Long-listed Washington Sasquatch Reading Award ML (2010), Long-listed Louisiana YR Choice Book Award Master List, Kansas William Allen White Award Master List, Winner NCSS-CBC NotableTrade-Soc.Stdy, Winner Kansas William Allen White Award (2010), Winner Illinois Bluestem Book Award (2011), South Carolina Children's Book Award Master List, Winner SD Prairie Pasque Child Book Award (2010), Long-listed Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Book Award ML, South Dakota Prairie Bud Award, North Carolina Children's Book Award Master List, Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Book Award Master List, Long-listed Hawaii Nene Book Award Master List, Long-listed TN Intermed Volunt State Book Award ML, Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Master List, Long-listed Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award ML, Winner Parents' Choice Award Winner, NCSS-CBC Notable Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, Winner Kansas William Allen White Award, Long-listed OR Battle of the Books Master List (2013), Long-listed Colorado Children's Book Award Master List
ISBN: 9780312561123