I don't have much luck with dog books as usually, they end with me in tears. This one, with a few poignant pauses from Ibbotson's writing, ends happily so my luck may be changing.Coming from an extremely wealthy family, all Hal wants is to own a dog. His folks, thinking it is just a fad that he'll grow out of, decide that for his 10th birthday, they'll rent a dog from a company called Easy Pets— without letting Hal know that the dog needs to be returned.Betrayed, Hal agrees to begin boarding school, but at a going away lunch with mom, runs into the dog he grew attached to (Fleck) and begins his runaway plot: he'll steal the dog and go live with his more understanding grandparents in the North.The plan begins well, but is met with surprises. Pippa, a young girl working at the rental agency and seeing Hal save Fleck, takes mercy on the other dogs and releases a few who naturally follow Hal.What begins as a plan for two turns into an adventure for many. En route to his grandparents, and with his wealthy parents hiring a detective who puts out a reward for him, Hal, Pippa and the band of dogs encounter a traveling circus, mysterious orphans, and many untrustworthy adults who mean them harm. Beneath it all is the story of loyalty, of the love for dogs and the wonderful bond between one dog and his boy. Our three-year-old daughter named her favorite stuffed dog, "pee-pee." When we got a real dog we wouldn't let her name it that so she called her, "Peach." Although "pee-pee" would have been a better name. Thirteen years I scrubbed up after that darn dog and her pea-sized bladder. Argh! But I digress. Most people have dog stories and our family is no exception, so when I started this book which is about a boy named, Hal, who begs his parents for a dog, it was a walk down memory lane. And when I got to the part of the collie herding sheep, I chuckled as I remembered our border collie rounding up 12 laughing and whimpering and what's-going-on four-year-olds in a small, tight circle at my daughter's birthday party. But back to this story...Lonely Hal begs for a dog and when his rich parents say, "yes," he is over the moon. Only problem? His shallow parents have actually rented a dog named, Fleck, for the weekend. They think Hal will get tired of the dog after 3 days. Instead he bonds with the dog and loves him deeply. Not wanting to tell Hal that Fleck isn't for keeps, the parents sneak him back to the rental place while Hal is at the dentist. Hal comes home, discovers the trick and is devastated. And angry. Ooh... he is one mad dude. He goes to the rental place, takes Fleck and runs away with the help of a friend on an adventure where he discovers not only how to make dogs happy, but his parents as well.This light story has a happy ending, exaggerated characters, predictable plot and will be liked by animal lovers.The adults are dumb and buffoonish in most cases, except the grandparents. There are quite a few unbelievable spots but it is all in good fun. The story was a little slow for me but I'm not exactly a patient reader. I did enjoy how it made me think of our doofy dog and how much I loved her and hated her peeing all over the place. If you are getting a dog, whatever you do, DON'T give it a name that starts with that piddly letter "p."Reading Level 6.3
What do You think about Un Cane E Il Suo Bambino (2013)?
if i would be cal i would do the same thing i dont have a dog but i rreeaalllyy want one...
—fstani
Class of 9/10 year olds enjoyed this book which was funny, heartwarming and well written
—carmen
Great last book from Ibbotson. What a great adventure.
—GJfearless
Even more than just one dog's worth of happy ending!
—nurulaienhamal
