A Home for Dakota Book

Summary: Dog No. 241 lives in a crate in a cold, dark barn that is stacked with hundreds of other caged dogs in a puppy mill breeding operation. She has never known human companionship, exercise, or decent care. One night, rescuers arrive and take her and the other dogs away to lead new and happier lives. Soon, despite her fears, she finds herself in a warm, secure foster home, being bathed and groomed and loved by a young woman named Emma. At first, she is too frightened to respond; all she wants is to return to the familiar dark. Eventually renamed Dakota, she learns to love and trust Emma, and her foster home becomes a friendly haven. But then a new challenge arrives in the person of a young girl, Sweetie, who is recovering from a misfortune as deep as Dakota's own. Sweetie and her parents come to look at Dakota as a possible pet. Initially, Sweetie rejects hairless little Dakota, but later she returns to offer Dakota a home, and Emma recommends her for adoption. With Emma's reassurances, Dakota goes to her forever home to become Sweetie's true partner in recovery.

Written by Jan Zita Grover
Published in 2008 by Gryphon Press

Recommendations/Awards: My recommendation

Audience: Read together or read alone: grades K-3

Genre: Picture Book

Illustrations: The illustrator did a great job of portraying the dog in the story. The detail and characteristics of the job make the reader's pay attention.

Uses: This book would be a great book to use for independent reading. Children will be able to read this book on their own, and they would learn a lesson about humanity. Many children are interested in animals, and this story is great at showing how people should not treat their animals.