“Sable” is the story of a girl and a dog. I like stories that involve animals and this is no exception.The story takes place somewhere in the country. It is at Tate’s (the main character) home (possibly a ranch or a farm) (Tate is the main character in the story) where a scrawny dog appears. The relationship between Tate and the dog, Sable, unfolds in this country setting.The plot of the story is basically girl finds dog, girl wants to keep dog, girl loses dog, girl gets dog back. Tate the young girl in the story wants to keep Sable. Mam (I assume Mam is Tate’s mother although this is never disclosed) does not like dogs and eventually insists the dog must go.The theme in “Sable” is lost and found. Tate finds a dog in need of care on her doorstep. She does not know where the dog came from but the dog is in clear distress. She loses the dog when her father tricks her into giving up the dog. The dog is found again when Mr. Cobb (a neighbor) sees him after a big storm.The main character in the story is Tate. Karen Hesse the author of “Sable” does not physically describe the human characters in the story however she gives a sketchy physical description of the animals. For example, Eden, Mam’s cat is described as being a crimp-tailed cat; Sable is described as having “bones held together by a brown coat. “ These are extremely brief descriptions but more than what Hesse writes about the human characters. Hesse seems to want the reader to get to know the human characters through their actions. For example, we learn that Tate is a determined and resourceful girl. She obtains food for Sable not with money but by doing chores in the local store.The story is told from Tate’s point of view. My rating for this book is three stars. It is a good story but not an original story. I think students will enjoy reading of the relationship between Tate and Sable.
Ten year old Tate Marshall lives with her Pap, a cabinet-maker, Mam, and Mam’s crimp-tailed cat Eden, in rural Vermont. Tate is lonely and wants a dog, but Mam hates dogs because she was torn up by one when she was a little girl. Then one October day a scrawny mutt turns up in the yard. It is dark brown except for a blaze of white on her chest and the tip of her tail. Tate names her Sable because her soft ears remind the girl of the sable fur trim on her Mam’s sweater. Tate even persuades Mam and Pap to let her keep Sable. However, it isn’t long before the incorrigible dog begins to cause trouble by stealing from the neighbors. They complain to the Selectmen, and Mam and Pap decide that the dog must go, so Pap takes her to the home of Doctor Winston in Concord, NH, where he is installing some cabinets. The doctor says that Tate can come and see Sable at any time. A little later, Tate gets permission to hitch a ride with their neighbor, Mr. Cobb who has business in Concord, but when she arrives, she learns that Sable has run away. What will happen to Sable? Will Tate ever see her dog again? Most books like this involve a boy and his dog, but this one is about a girl and her dog, though it should appeal to everyone. It is truly a touching story. Tate’s attitude is not always the best, but her reactions to various situations are perfectly natural, and everything works out all right in the end. Publishers Weekly calls it a “superbly structured work,” and the School Library Journal says that the narration “is as honest and direct as the character herself.” Young children who have dogs or have ever wanted to get a dog will appreciate this chapter book. The pencil-sketch pictures by illustrator Marcia Sewall, one per chapter, are quite homey.
What do You think about Sable (1998)?
By a Newbery author (Hesse). Girl finds a stray dog, naming him Sable, and wants to keep him, but her mother is averse to dogs doesn't want to. After a short while, the dog gets to thieving neighbors' food. Pap (dad) takes his daughter and Sable to a doctor's farm, miles away, and gives the dog away to the doctor. The girl misses her dog so much; Sable disappears from the farm. The girl builds strong fence to contain Sable if he returns. Many months later, the Sable finds his way back to the girl's home, and the girl is allowed to keep the dog. Not as good a read as I expected, but nonetheless, at heart, one every child can relate to. WD Breakfast Book Club pick - 4th grade. I thought it more suited for slightly younger readers.
—Sherry
A cute story about a girl who finds a dog and wants to keep her. She names the dog Sable and grows to really love her. Unfortunately, the dog misbehaves and Tate's parents decide the dog should find a new home. Tate and her dad bring the dog to Doc Winston's and Tate is devastated. After she gets home she starts building a fence for Sable. Later on in the story, Tate goes to visit Sable, but she has run away from Doc Winston's. Will Tate ever see Sable again? Will she get to feel the love and companionship of having a dog once again?Sweet story and a happy ending. Short and easy read, about 80 pages.
—Sarah
