One Small Dog: A Chapter Book for Kids (Ages 8-12) About a Boy and His Puppy

by Johanna Hurwitz, Diane deGroat (Illustrator)

At the animal shelter, Curtis falls in love with Sammy, a friendly puppy with curly black fur, floppy ears, a wagging tail, and perfect white teeth. He's the best dog in the whole world. At home, things are different-Sammy steals food and chews sneakers and toys-but Curtis loves him anyway. Then Sammy bites Curtis's mom, and Curtis has to face the fact that Sammy's not perfect after all. Will Curtis have to give Sammy up? Or will he do whatever it takes to keep his dog?

Genres: Childrens, Animals, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Johanna Hurwitz is an American author of more than sixty children's books. She has sold millions of books in many different languages.

Reviews

[Rakeeya Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im 16 now but i remember when i was in 3rd grade when i first picked up this book. What i remember about this book is that it was the first book i actually felt like i was in the story. I also remember that i got so emotional and had tears in my eyes. Ever since that day when i finished this book you never saw me without a book in my hand. The number of books that i can remember that i read is over at least 300 books. So i thank Johanna Hurwitz for writhing this because if i didn't check that book out i wouldn't be the amazing reader that i am today.

[Elizabeth L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

1/15/13


I am currently reading the book one small dog by: Diane De Groat. I like this book because it tells you what the main character is seeing and his emotions and reaction to the problems he has to face. This book is about a boy who is ten. The day before Christmas Eve his parents got divorced. It was a big change for him and it was a very sad Christmas for him too. Then it turns out that he gets a dog for Christmas and as he says “it was the best thing that ever happened to me.” So far the main point of the story is that if something really bad happened there can still be something good that can come out of it. I can relate to this book because I had wanted to get a dog for a long time and last Christmas I got one. I was so thrilled my heart was beating really fast and my legs were tingling and I was speechless. I ran up to my parents and gave then a big hug and said “thank you so much.” It was the best thing ever; I was so excited just like the boy. He was thrilled and excited when he got a dog just like I was. I am really enjoying this book and I hope you will too.









2/5/13

I just finished the book One Small Dog by: Diane De Groat. I think that the author wrote a very good ending to the book. It really made me want to read every last word of it because it was so interesting. I also liked how he expressed the boy’s feelings from his perspective, especially when he had to give his dog back to his original owner because he was biting his mom, him and his little brother. The dog bit him so bad that he had to get 6 stitches. After that his mom got really mad and it just pushed her over the top.

I think the main topic of this story is sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest thing to do.

I can relate to this book because one time I promised my mom and dad that I would go my grandma’s 90th birthday. But soon after that I got invited to my friend’s birthday party. I really wanted to go to my friend’s birthday party but I knew that it was the right thing to do to go to my grandma’s birthday party because I already committed to it even though it was a hard decision.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my gosh. I've never thought I'd be able to come across this book again! I still remember this being one of the first actual pocketbooks I've ever read. I borrowed this book from my classmate when I was in the second or third grade and I've never expected her to lend it to me since a lot of the other kids in our class wanted to read it too. Fortunately, she did lend it to me! I read this book every night before I fell asleep and it really tugged at my heartstrings.

Upon adding some books to my shelves here in Goodreads, a wave of nostalgia hit me and I remembered this book all over again even now that I'm already in middle school. I asked my friend if she remembered this book and if she still had it, and she said yes! She said she'd love to lend it to me once again when she comes home and I really hope I'd get this chance to read it again this time.

[Deborah Harris]

AR Quiz No. 43741 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 4.4 - AR Pts: 2.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP

[Ann Litwack · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Small Dog was a story about the commitment and time involved in adopting and raising a dog. The lesson from the book is that before purchasing a dog much thought needs to be put into the care and training involved. It is a middle grade story about a child dealing with the divorce of his parents and really wants a dog. His mother gives in and on impulse they go to the animal shelter to adopt a dog. They have difficulties with the dog and decide they cannot keep it which deeply upsets Curtis. It is a real situation that does arise and there is an afterword sharing ways to avoid this problem. It is well written and easy for a child to connect and empathize with Curtis.

[Oda Dillon-Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can yo read me the book

[Holly Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome

[Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

It so good

[Ava Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well it was sad and happy….. but mostly sad. The saddest part is that they had to get rid of Sammy because he had a food aggression and was biting people as they tried to grab it away from him. When he bit his owner who loved him most, he broke his skin and had to get stitches. There was blood everywhere and Curtis had to go to the hospital. It was really sad. At the end he said I still really love Sammy, but he knew the people at the farm will train him to be nice. I thought this was a really sad ending so probably not the best book I’ve ever read. But I guess it’s good to have some sad ones once in a while. Well, that’s my review on this book.

Bye📚❤️

[Lacey Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very relatable to students, which is important in getting them wanting to read books in the first place. While this book has an unhappy ending, it is realistic given the situation, which students need to know that not everything is happy-go-lucky in real life like books depict it will be.

[Mas5thgrade2012 · Rating 5 out of 5]

lol love this book its so awesome.. although im not done im at the end though!! i love curtis.he is my faviorite character.. my seconfd favorite character is sammy i love him but at the end he changes..

[Arissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's about this boy who really wants a dog. Then his mom lets him get a dog. The dog starts causing a lot of trouble in their house. They might need to get rid of the dog if it doesn't behave.

[Jennifer Galindo · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute puppy

[Carmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was awesome because all the little boy wants is a dog he get one but then he has to be responsible and face the facts so its a life lesson

[Julier · Rating 4 out of 5]

9-yr old Curtis finally gets a puppy to cheer him up, but things don't work out as well as he had hoped. [2004 Sasquatch Award]

[Queen]

Read this book as a kid and it has become one of my favorite childhood stories. I cried profusely when I had to let it go!