About This Book
Love That Dog is a tender and powerful novel in verse, told through the diary entries of a young boy named Jack. Initially resistant to poetry, Jack's teacher gently encourages him to express himself, leading him on a journey of self-discovery. The book subtly builds towards the revelation of a deep grief Jack carries, the loss of his beloved dog, Sky. It's an empathetic and ultimately hopeful story about finding your voice, processing loss, and the healing power of creative expression. Ideal for children aged 8-12, it offers a gentle way to discuss difficult emotions and the beauty of poetry.
*Love that Dog* is a story about a young boy named Jack, and how he learns to love poetry. At the same time, he learns to open up about his feelings on a subject learned only if you read the book. The novel is empathetic, joyful, and quite heartbreaking at times, hence creating a great book.
Character Death
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Discussion Prompts
1
How does Jack's writing change throughout the book? What does this tell us about how he's feeling?
2
Why do you think Jack was so reluctant to write poetry at first?
3
How does Miss Stretchberry help Jack? What qualities make her a good teacher?
4
What role does poetry play in helping Jack express his feelings and cope with his grief?
5
Have you ever felt a strong emotion that was hard to put into words? How did you express it?
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