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Summary: Poetry and People
Review: Now I love poetry, but the idea of a novel written in a series of poems had me stumped. I thought "This is never going to work. I am going to hate this book."Well, I was wrong. I LOVED this book. I am frantically recommending it to everyone I know because of the unique way it presented one boy's fascination with poetry. Even if you think you'd hate a book written in poems, I recommend reading this book because the story sucks you in, despite any trepidation you may have about the format. It is a very quick read, and well worth it.
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Summary: Love That Dog
Review: This is an excellent book for "kids" of all ages. I am 49 and loved it! It is the story of a boy who thought he could not write poetry. My 12 year old niece started me on Sharon Creech books and I have read as many as I could find. "Love That Dog" is fun to read and made me feel like a kid again. Buy this book to read yourself or to your kids, nieces, nephews, grandkids....you will enjoy it.
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Summary: Wow! Very cool way to tell the story
Review: I'm going to teach poetry to my 4th graders this year, and didn't know what to expect from Creech's book, but it sure was good. Surprising and lovely and sad. She awes me.
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Summary: Love that book!
Review: With apologies to Creech and Myers: Love that book / Like a dragon loves to hoard / I said I love that book / Like a dragon loves to hoard / Love to read it in the morning / Love to see it / Win a Newbery award. Elementary school student Jack, convinced that only girls write poetry, completes his poetry assignments in a journal that is part monologue to his teacher and part homework and all poetry (whether he realizes it or not). Jack's enthusiasm for the genre slowly grows until Walter Dean Myer's poem "Love That Boy" inspires an invitation for an author visit. This novel in verse is much a glimpse in the writing process as it is an example of the power of words connect us, and a story of a boy and the golden dog he loves. As an added bonus, the first stanzas of the classic poems Ms. Stretchberry assigns are appended. This is excellent work by award-winning novelist Creech, who has a talent for writing about journeys and growths of all kinds, and a lovely tribute to award-winning author Walter Dean Myers. Highly recommended for purchase.
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Summary: Great poetry book for kids!
Review: This is a wonderful introduction to writing poetry for children, especially those who feel reluctant. The poems Jack responds to in his journal are included in the back of the book, which makes this an excellent teaching tool.
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Summary: Love This Book
Review: A wonderful story told in free verse and in journal format. As a teacher, I cannot think of a more valuable tool for modeling how to write poetry, a response journal, and elements of a story. The story evolves in a series of short, pithy poems written by Jake as he responds to his teacher's attempts to introduce a love of poetry and elicit more information in his responses. It is told completely in Jake's words, although you can easily infer the teacher's comments. I have to admit this is my favorite book that I have read this summer (over 75) and can't wait to use it in class. An extra treat is the inclusion of an appendix containing most of the poems mentioned in the story.
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Summary: Love That Dog
Review: A must have to share with kids! It is about a fifth grade boy who detests writing, mostly poems. Creech does an amazing job of taking you through a diary of the boys writing journal and his thoughts that coincidently turn into superb poetry. He thinks poetry is for girls but realizes that poetry doesn't have to rhyme and more importantly need not be only for girls. Very inspirational for students' writing and heart felt as the boy deals with his feelings about a dog he sees at the pound.
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Summary: Sharon Creech writes another great story
Review: Yet another hit from Creech, whose award-winning "Walk Two Moons" I fell in love with earlier this year. This story, told in poetry form, is about a young boy whose teacher has him write poetry in his journal to express himself. As he learns to express himself through his writing, he begins to enjoy the famous poems his teacher shares with him and the class. Beautifully written, a great book for younger readers and adults alike.
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Summary: "Love That Dog" Has a Lot of Love to Give
Review: I purchased this book a year and a half ago from a gift certificate I had gotten for my twelfth birthday. The only reason I bought it was because how much I loved all of the other books Ms. Creech has written. I wasn't too excited about a short book of poetry. "Love That Dog" is a quick read (you can read it in one sitting.) It is a simple book narrated by a boy named Jack who's learning about poetry. Though reluctant at first to learn, he slowly begins to realize how much he enjoys writing in prose poem. I was truly touched by this book. It made laugh, it made me cry, it made me think a little differently. Everyone in my family has now read it (or had it read to them), and they all have had the same reaction. It may say for ages 8-12, but it's the type of book everyone will enjoy. Jack has a little bit of everyone in him, making his feelings easy to understand and laugh with and symphasize with. I was espeacially surprised--the street and house he described were exactly like my old one, I also have an old yellow dog similar to his, and I have a little brother named Jack. Buy this book. You'll be so glad you did.
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Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Love That Dog is a simple book, but it is in no way simplistic. Sharon Creech writes in a way that it straight-forward, but eloquent, and perfectly captures the attitude of a boy learning to enjoy poetry, and in turn, learning to voice his own feelings about the loss of his beloved dog.
It has been a long time since a children's book touched me in such a profound way.
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