Smart Dog

by Vivian Vande Velde

Amy Prochenko has spent most of fifth grade avoiding both the bully Katilyn Walker, whose bark is as bad as her bite, and Sean Gorman, the only kid less popular than Amy. As if life isn't hard enough, along comes Sherlock.

After escaping from a research laboratory, all Sherlock wants is to be an ordinary dog. But Sherlock is anything but he can talk. And when he asks Amy for help, she says yes. But Amy may have bitten off more than she can chew! Soon she finds herself tangled up in dangerous schemes and hanging out with people she never would have before. For the first time, thanks to Sherlock, Amy's popular!

Even better, Sherlock is the best friend she's wanted. But Amy's not sure she can save him. Will this dog ever have his day?

Genres: Fantasy, Animals, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Dogs, Science Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1998

About the author

Vivian Vande Velde (born 1951, currently residing in Rochester, New York) is an American author who writes books primarily aimed at young adults.

Her novels and short story collections usually have some element of horror or fantasy, but are primarily humorous. Her book Never Trust a Dead Man (1999) received the 2000 Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Novel. She says that she really likes to write for children. She likes to do school talks to children. She does many book conventions and also gives writing classes.

Reviews

[Libby Ames · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Smart Dog by Vivian Vande Velde. I grabbed it on a whim, because we needed another read aloud book for my 4 and 5 year old boys. As it turned out, they were hooked along with me, my husband, and my 9-year-old daughter. My boys have a problem with intense conflict, so a lot of the books they like are a little slow. However, this book was gentle enough for them and interesting enough for me. They missed some of the interpersonal conflict between 5th graders, but it didn’t take away from the story.

On her way to school, Amy Prochenko is approached by a dog on the run, but not just any dog. Sherlock is a lab experiment who escaped from the university lab when he overheard the head scientist talking about dissecting his brain. Amy has many adventures and finds herself making new friends as she strives to keep Sherlock safe. A funny and light story about an incredible dog and a fast thinking girl. This one is great for all ages.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love dogs, love blogs, what could be better?! The friendship between Amy and Sherlock brings me to tears every time. Read this for the first time when it came out and keep coming back for more! What happened to Vivian Vande Velde? Where is she? Who has silenced her? This is a conspiracy on the part of the federal government to silence dog scientists and it is unacceptable. #justiceforvandevelde #freesherlock

[Astrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enamored of books by Vivian Vande Velde. They are witty and original!

[Karla Malaca · Rating 5 out of 5]

the story is about a girl that she is walking to school and bumps with a dog she but she didn't stop walking.then the dog started to talk then the girl stopped she got a little bit scared.then the dog found out that people wanted to open his head to find out why he talk's.I would recommend this book to people the are in love with animals because you can see the young girl save a dog.

[Aida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as a kid and still remember every detail. I haven't reread but look forward to doing so.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a darling little book! Amy is a brave young lady. And Sherlock is the dog we all wish we had!

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I CAN imagine kids reading this book, and will recommend it!, FUN!

[Holly Viken · Rating 5 out of 5]

January book review
Smart dog
Vivian Vande Velde

The book Smart dog is about a girl named Amy , who gets bullied by the most popular girl in 5th grade, until she was one day walking to school and comes across a black and white beagle who was looking quite lost. Amy had always had a passion for helping people and animals so she stopped and said hello, not knowing that the dog would start talking to her. The dog had told her that he was in trouble and was wanting to know if he could have some help from Amy! Now, Amy thinks she is going crazy and is hearing things. He started talking again and asked if Amy could help him again because he is trying to run away from his previous owner. He tells Amy that he lived in a lab and they weren't very nice to him. Although one day he heard that the people at the lab would dissect his brain. That is why he ran away from the lab. The lab didn't want anyone taking f-32 (the dog) so they decided to keep it a secret about how the dog is extremely smart and can do things that other dog can't do! Amy had always wanted a pet and now she finally had gotten one, she decided to rename the dog Sherlock so that if the lab goes looking for f-32 he'll have a different name that they won't recognize. That is one pretty smart dog! Sooner or later Amy now (the most popular girl in 5th grade) finds her self friends with Kaitlyn all thanks to Sherlock! Will the people from the lab ever find Sherlock? Will Sherlock be safe?

The theme of the book a Smart dog is to never back down to anyone. Amy could have just stood back and let Kaitlyn bully her, but no she stood her ground and stayed strong. Thanks to Amy and Sherlock Kailyn doesn't hurt any more feelings! Amy is a very strong and courageous character who didn't care what other people thought of her, and now look what she has accomplished! The book a Smart dog is a very fun and heart warming book! Amy is such an amazing character and she has lifted up so many peoples spirits and made them feel like there not alone! Amy and Sherlock are such courageous characters. They could have been worried about Sherlock getting taken away, but they made the most of what they had, and they never looked back!

[Angela Liao · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a dog that ran out from a lab and is able to talk. He took a part in changing Amy’s life. Amy was never brave enough to stand up for herself in school, but after the dog came she was finally brave enough to stand up against her class bully. This is a very good book because it describes a girl’s life and the problems she has to go through. She can relate to any other girl in real life. Reading this book should influence other people to stand up for themselves when they are getting bullied in school. I was very surprised when I first found out that Sherlock, the dog, can talk. I was glad the lab never took Sherlock back because living with Amy for such a long time I can tell that they developed a good relationship. Sometimes when I’m reading this book it feels like Sherlock is no difference than a human because of him talking throughout the whole book.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amy isn't exactly enjoying 5th grade since she's become the target of popular Kaitlyn's endless bullying. One day on her carefully timed walk to school (so she doesn't arrive before her friends, but doesn't get there late), she is stopped by a talking dog that asks for her help to escape from the university's animal research lab, where the scientist in charge wants to dissect his brain. Trying to keep this dog (F-32 or Sherlock) safe is more of a challenge than Amy expects, and leads to considerable lying and confusion involving two other classmates and their families as well as their teacher, Sister Mary Grace, who apparently sees more than Amy has given her credit for. It's a cute story, definitely for younger middle school students or even elementary readers.

[Sheila Beaumont · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sherlock is a dog who has escaped from a university lab where gene splicing and neuron stimulation have made him intelligent and able to talk. Fifth-grader Amy and her friends find that keeping the dog's identity secret from grown-ups results in all sorts of unforeseen and hilarious complications.

Smart Dog doesn't quite measure up to Vande Velde's best (A Hidden Magic, for example), but I still found it an enjoyable read. Sherlock and his rescuers are likable characters, the school bully gets her comeuppance, and all ends happily.

If you like humorous dog stories, you might also want to try Peter Dickinson's Chuck and Danielle.

[Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rally liked this book because there were words that were challenging but it wasn't too hard. The writing was pretty powerful it told how a girl and her friends will stop at nothing to help f-32. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a heart filled story. Also to anyone loves dogs and a challenging yet not to challenging book. I think that this book could have been made for all ages. The genre of the book is an animal centered realistic fiction. If this book was part of a series I would defineteley read it.

[Slusher · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is about a dog who was a beagle he was in a lab being experimented on by scientist he got loose and a girl finds him on the street and brings him to her home she finds out that he can talk write type read and do like anything a smart man could do all except dog stuff and one day a scientist (one who worked on him )he trys to get him but in the end they take the dog and fix him back and gives tthe girl the dog back. i think thats right

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amy Prochenko is not a popular girl like Kaitlyn. Until she meets F-32, aka Sherlock, an unusual dog. He's cute and smart, and he can talk. He escaped from a lab where they were going to dissect his brain. Amy vows to hide him, and does a lot of crazy things to do it, including making friends, telling lies, and moving Sherlock around. Amy learns what a real friend is, and finds herself at the same time.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Vivian Van Velde books...Companion's of the Night, Never Trust A Dead Man, Being Dead, etc. This book was terrible. It was a nice idea, but all the characters had no dimensions, the dialogue was sub par, and you could pretty much see the end from the first chapter. It makes me wonder if this would be a sufficient book for a struggling reader,but then I wouldn't want them to suffer due tothe plot falling short.

[Carly · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend Natalee and I read this book together in the fourth grade, and while I never forgot how much I loved the story (I could even remember names and specific sentences), I kept forgetting the title. But now I've finally found this book again and I'm going to tell everyone to read it! It's a great book for elementary-age kids.

[Elevetha · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

10+

Fifth grader Amy finds a dog. But not just any dog. Sherlock is a lab experiment. He talks and has human average intelligence. Maybe even slightly above...

Sherlock was pretty darn cute and he wasn't around as much as I would have liked.

Overall, a short enjoyable but nothing terribly special offering from VVV.

[Olivia Loving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just remembered this book -- it was my favorite for a long time!! Would recommend to any kid. :) It's warm-hearted and smart, and the main character felt like she could be my best friend. I wanted to be her, too (and who wouldn't, with a talking dog for a friend?!)

This book bravely tackles tough issues like bullying and animal testing (heavy stuff), but it's optimistic, too.

[H.L. Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read that helped me take my mind off my mind-numbing days at work. Great for kids, especially kids that love animals. Reminds me of Underdog in some respects with its own imaginative edge. No flying here. Just a super smart dog and likable characters.

[Lanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Cute and fun. An interesting story. But I don't remember much about it or that I enjoyed it quite as much as the couple of other novels I read by the same writer. Recommended to kids who like stories about animals.

[Poonguzhali · Rating 5 out of 5]

she really did not know whatm to do with her homework. then she bought a pet dog.one day it smartly did her homework.that day onn,she revised her work with her pet dog.

[Sanjana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really cute & animal-filled book. If u like animals u will ♥ this book 4 sure!

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy finds a talking dog that has escaped from a lab.
Amusing. Average girl becomes popular.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

its good but short.

[Omar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a great book about a talking dog!!!

[dogluvers867 · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was pretty good. Better then I expected. The story was really good, but the end kind of lacked something, and it seemed kind of rushed to the end. I felt like i wanted more.

~Audrey

[Bekah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate this book!

[☺♡M♡☺ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love it!

[Jaqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting!!!i think that kids of a lot of ages would like this book!!!

[Holli Keel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun book about a talking dog and a somewhat unpopular 5th grader who struggles to find her place in school. I read it in a day. Younger kids would love this book.