Everything for a Dog

by Ann M. Martin

Overview

Bone is a stray dog, all alone in the world, looking for a safe place to call home. Charlie is devastated by the death of his older brother, but at least he has his brother's dog to comfort him. All Henry wants is a dog of his own, and even when his best friend moves away, his parents still won't let him have one. Bone, Charlie, and Henry don't know each other, but their lives are about to connect in a very surprising way. Because dogs, and dog lovers, have a way of finding each other . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312674847
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	05/10/2011
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	368,341
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.60(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

ANN M. MARTIN is the author of the Baby-Sitters Club and Main Street series; the novels Belle Teal, A Corner of the Universe (winner of the Newbery Honor), Here Today, and On Christmas Eve, as well as the Doll People novels (written with Laura Godwin and illustrated by Brian Selznick); and the novels P. S. Longer Letter Later and Snail Mail No More, written with Paula Danziger. Ann lives in Upstate New York with her beloved dog, Sadie, whose mother was a stray, and several rescued cats.

Reading Group Guide

Discussion Questions and Activities

1. Henry, Bone, and Charlie have very different stories, but they also share something in common. How are they similar when it comes to their dreams and hopes? How are they different?

2. Bone experiences life in small towns and in the woods. Which do you think he prefers and why?

3. Early on in the novel, we learn that

"Charlie wishes he could be anywhere other than at the graduation of his dead brother" where he must accept his diploma. Why do you think this is?

Can you find another example in the story where Charlie is asked to replace his brother? How does this make him feel?

4. How does Charlie respond to EJ's death? What helps him?

5. If you were in Charlie's place, would you want to get another dog after

Sunny's accident? Why or why not?

6. Henry tries to prove that he is ready to own a dog, but feels his plan is a failure. Do you agree with him?

7. What does Bone learn about human beings during his many adventures?

8. Why does Bone run away from

Franklin's empty apartment? Do you think this was a good decision?

9. Survival is an important theme in

Everything for a Dog. How does it factor into the stories of Henry, Bone,

and Charlie? What does each of them need to do in order to survive his disappointments?

10. What does "home" mean to

Charlie, Bone, and Henry? How are their definitions different and how are they the same?

11. What did you learn about the life of a stray dog from this story?

Did it surprise you in any way?

12. Early in the novel, Henry makes a Christmas list in which he wishes for a dog and "everything for a dog." Imagine that you are

Henry and make a list of ten reasons why you should have a dog. Be sure to write the list from Henry's point of view!

13. Write a diary from the point of view of Bone. Describe his experiences from the time he runs away from Franklin's empty apartment until he meets Henry.

14. Research quotes from well-known people (authors, sports figures,

celebrities, humanitarians,

and world leaders) about the importance of treating animals with compassion and respect.

Create a poster, webpage,

scrapbook, or photo essay combining these quotes with photographs and other visual images.

15. Create a "bill of rights" for abandoned animals. Send it to your local elected official or animal shelter.

Editorial Reviews

Animal lovers of all ages will cherish this moving tale of man's—or in this case, boy's—best friend.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Martin's book honors the unique companionship and healing powers that have earned dogs the title of man's best friend, and it will resonate with both the reader who is already a dog owner or who, like Henry, pines to be one.” —Shelf Awareness

“[Martin] artfully alternates and gradually weaves together threads from the canine and human tales until the three stories converge in time anad space into a completely heartwarming and satisfying finale. Essential fare for fans of the perfectly crafted canine tale.” —Kirkus, starred review

“This is a sensitive, gentle read that surrounds its occasional heartbreak with plenty of hope and warm feelings.” —Booklist

“This is a touching and ultimately happy story that will appeal to fans of Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's Shiloh (S & S, 1991) and Fred Gipson's Old Yeller (HarperCollins, 1942), as well as to a wider audience.” —School Library Journal

“It is clear that Martin is not writing a conventional dog story but a serious and very fine book about life, death, and the need to keep going in order to find joy again, whether one is a human or a dog.” —Horn Book Review

From the Publisher

Fans of Martin’s A Dog’s Life who are eager to know what happened to Bone, the brother of stray puppy Squirrel, will find the answer in this beautifully crafted companion novel. The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Bone and two boys who enter his life. Henry is an 11-year-old whose deepest desire is to have a dog. Charlie is lucky enough to already have a dog, but that doesn’t ease his grief over the recent loss of his older brother, RJ (“He can’t help but think, as he fondles Sunny’s silky ears, that RJ was the one who named Sunny; that Sunny had, in fact, been RJ’s dog”). Meanwhile, Bone, still a stray and not yet aware of the boys’ existence, bounces from one family to another, experiencing a mixture of joyful moments as well as events that lead to betrayal and abandonment. Each point of view is compelling on its own, but the smooth convergence of the characters’ heartwrenching histories shows exceptional engineering and artistry. Animal lovers of all ages will cherish this moving tale of man’s—or in this case, boy’s—best friend. Ages 9–12. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Gr 4–6—Ann Martin's moving story (S & S/Feiwel & Friends, 2009) shifts between three main characters' points of view: a dog named Bone, who was born wild in a barn; Henry, who desperately wants a dog; and Charlie, who survives the death of his brother through bonding with his brother's dog. Bone, along with his sister Squirrel, are discarded in a mall parking lot. (Squirrel's story is told in Ann Martin's A Dog's Life: the Autobiography of a Stray [Scholastic, 2005]). Bone is rescued, given away, and finally abandoned to live as a stray. Charlie is tormented by the death of his brother, who fell from a tree where he allegedly climbed to get Charlie's kite. Henry, whose parents are both librarians, has tried for years to convince them to let him have a dog. As their refusals become more adamant, his resolve to be more responsible grows. There are hints early on that Henry will adopt Bone, but readers will be surprised at the relationship revealed between Charlie and Henry. Martin fully develops each character, drawing listeners into their struggles. David Pittu's narration is methodical and measured. Dog lovers will be enthralled by this audiobook.—Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI

School Library Journal

In this poignant companion to A Dog's Life (2005), Martin pursues her story of two homeless puppies from male puppy Bone's perspective, adding canine-related stories from two boys, Charlie and Henry. When stray siblings Bone and Squirrel are separated, Bone is rescued by a young couple, becomes an elderly man's companion and eventually searches for a home. After Charlie's older brother RJ falls from a tree and dies, his mom suffers a breakdown and his dad withdraws, leaving Charlie to grieve with RJ's dog Sunny until another accident strikes. Eleven-year-old Henry's parents won't let him have a dog. When his best pal moves away, Henry renews his plea, but to no avail. Bone autobiographically tells his own touching tale, while Martin compassionately relates Charlie and Henry's stories in the third person. She artfully alternates and gradually weaves together threads from the canine and human tales until the three stories converge in time and space into a completely heartwarming and satisfying finale. Essential fare for fans of A Dog's Life or the perfectly crafted canine tale. (Fiction. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews

This dog story begins in the point of view of a stray canine, then shifts to that of a boy named Charlie, and then to that of a boy named Henry (and keeps moving among the three). Although shifting points of view can strain a young listener's patience, David Pittu grabs and holds attention with his appealing youthful voice. This story’s emotional journey may have young listeners shedding tears in a way that will remind older listeners of reading OLD YELLER when they were teenagers. Pittu's steady vocal guidance makes it easy to buy the idea that any one of us might end up giving anything—or everything—for a dog. M.M.C. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

FEBRUARY 2010 - AudioFile