I would recommend this story to my friends so much! This has to be my favorite book ever. I would recommend it because of the characters, events, and plot. Here are just some examples of these reasons;The first reason I would recommend this book has to be the characters. I love th characters in this story because they are each unique in their own way! Whether it's their physical traits or personality, the characters are all unique. A really distinct example of this is when the main character, an Alaskan malamute named McKinley, is describing his "rival" named Red Burn on page 12;"The dog was a big setter named Red Burn, who lived with them. Taller than McKinley, slim and graceful, he was perfectly groomed, fur always seeming to have been brushed. He trotted with perfection, too, head high, tail extended, leg feathers flowing. Red Burn expected admiring glances."This describes the character of Red Burn perfectly. The line "... Expecting admiring glances" shows that this character is rather arrogant and knows that he is perfect. Another example of this is when a wolf named Lupin was turning down help even when she needed it most. This is on page 131;"McKinley barked a few times, "Lupin! It's me, McKinley! I've brought you some food."Ears flicking, the wolf lifted her head a few inches only to growl swiftly and lower her head again."This one, small example of Lupin's character shows me that she is very independent and would rather suffer than accept help. The second reason I would recommend this book to someone is the events. The whole thing itself is amazing but there are definitely some parts that stand out. One of the two examples I'm sharing today is on page 97 when some of the people try to hunt down Lupin,"It's the wolf!" Pycraft cried, holding fast to Duchess, "get him, Sullivan! Get the wolf!" Sullivan snatched at the gun, but McKinley, snarling and growling, hung on fiercely."This part is certainly was one of my favorite parts of the book. I loved McKinley's action to help Lupin and his ability to ward off the humans after a while. The second great part of the story is on pages 221-238 when Red Burn called a meeting to over throw McKinley's leadership of the dogs in their town and McKinley brings Jack, his owner, along to fight back. Since this is a long part, I will share a small part of it, "Steamboat dogs," the setter went on, "I called this meeting because we all have been placed in serious jeopardy. McKinley allowed a savage wolf to come among us. By doing so he defied our humans' wishes. McKinley has endangered us by making humans think of us as uncivilized beasts!"Red Burn continues his speech until McKinley took charge back and shared his side of the story.The last reason I would recommend this story is because of the plot. The overall plot is about a dog named McKinley who is the leader of a group of dogs in the town of Steamboat. One day, a wolf is sees in the woods and McKinley investigates. Since I can't really prove this reason, I will share some of the main plot.On page 2, jack runs into his house to share what he had seen that day,"... Jack saying, "dad, I'm not making it up. I really saw a wolf." McKinley stopped short. His tail drooped. Was that the a WOLF word the boy had used?"You can tell McKinley's unsure about wolves and was scared when Jack used it. Another oars of the plot is on page 53 when Jack sees the wolf again. McKinkey is with him,"McKinley!" The pup (Jack) gasped, "it's the wolf!" As big as McKinley was, Lupin was bigger. Broad shouldered with a massive head, she had bright piercing eyes and powerful jaws. Her legs were strong, her paws huge, larger than McKinley's"This is pretty much the climbing action right here. I mean there's a wolf in the woods! And it's right there! I would recommend this story to my friends because of the amazing characters, events, and plot. This is my all time favorite book. I think you should read it too!
The Good Dog was published by Avi in 2001. I wish I had purchased the book for our library before 2014. It is a great read that I think the studens will really enjoy. Though geared toward a third through sixth grade audience, I think our junior high students will be drawn into the suspense created by McKinley and the dogs as well as by Lupin the wolf. SUSPENSE"Suddenly. Lupin leaped forward. Landing close to McKinley, she held her head higher than ever, sharp teeth exposed." (p. 56)"McKinley, collapsing in terror, rolled over and with his paws limp, exposed his belly." (p. 56)MEMORABLE QUOTESLupin ". . . lifted her nose to the sky, shaped her mouth into an almost perfect circle, and let forth a howl. It was part moan, part cry of triumph, throaty and rough-edged at first, then rising to a single clear note that vaulted high and echoed down the canyon." (p. 56)Lupin explained that ". . . in the wilderness, there are no walls. Overhead is the sun, or clouds, or the moon. At night there are as many stars in the sky as there are stones on earth. The moon glides between the trees before leaping up. Water runs free. Food is where you find it. What you eat you have earned because you have worked to catch it. You live in a river of many smells, smells that are constantly changing, that bring you news of the entire world. You are part of that world. Always." (p. 150)
What do You think about The Good Dog (2004)?
The Good Dogby Avi224 pagesRealistic FictionThis book is about a dog named McKinley and his owner(Jack). The setting is in a city in Colorado. One of McKinleyes friends is another dog named Duchess who is running away from an abusive owner(Pycraft). They know that the owner will shoot Duchess if he ever sees her and McKinley wants to help her run away. He eventually meets a wolf named Lupin who agrees to help Duchess. However, McKinley's rival, Redburn(who is trying to take McKinley's place as pack leader) is hired by the Owner to go find Duchess. Redburn takes the owner to the place where Lupin is hiding Duchess and the owner shoots Lupin with a gun. Lupin survives but is very weak. McKinley has no choice but to take Lupin, Duchess, and his friend Aspen to a place where they can hide, even if it means losing his place as the alpha dog in the pack. However they are running out of time; Pycraft is putting up signs for rewards for Duchess's capture. McKinley understands that now he must pick between a life with humans or a life in the wild.I really liked this book because it shows how compassionate McKinley was. First he helped Duchess run away, and he also helped Lupin near the end, after she was shot. I think this teaches human beings a lesson about compassion and loyalty to your pack and friends. Unlike Redburn, McKinley was very loyal, even giving up his position to help his friend live. Another reason why I liked it was because it had a lot of good description, creating a beautiful landscape.
—Andrew Z
I. Love. This. Book. I remember reading this book when I was in forth grade, and not being able to put it down. I would stay up and read it my room with a flash light. It was just that good. The story is just terrific! A malamute named McKinley, find himself in between a rock and a hard place. A wolf has come into his town and asks for dogs to join to her pack. When I first read this part I was so excited and nervous to see what would happen. I was at the age when I wanted a wolf for a pet and would beg my mom for one. This was closest I got to that feeling. My review is so high for that reason. The author, Avi, had such a great idea on how dogs acted and re-acted to other dogs, and events in their lives. So, I would recommend this book to anyone, the big life changing diction is a great story, and keeps you on your toes.
—Sarah
I thought it would be appropriate to post my son's book report for this book. He was nine years old when he wrote it. Ya, okay I helped edit it...First I have a funny story about this book. The main character in the book is a black and white malamute named McKinley. We have a black and white husky named McKinley. While my son, Justin, was reading this book, our "Bad Dog" McKinley decided to eat the book "The Good Dog." How is that for irony?Justin gave the book 4 1/2 stars out of 5. Here is his
—Diane Lynch
