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The Good Dog
When the Wild Calls McKinley, a malamute, is a good dog -- he's reliable and trustworthy. Whether it's watching over the other dogs of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, or taking care of his human pup, Jack, McKinley never even thinks of letting anyone down -- until he meets Lupin. Lupin is a she-wolf and she's urging the dogs of Steamboat Springs to leave their domesticated lives and join her wild pack. And though she scares McKinley, he also finds himself drawn to her and the life of freedom that she offers.
For the first time, McKinley's loyalties are torn. Should he stay with his humans and continue to lead the dogs of Steamboat Springs? Or should he join the wolf and live freely, like his ancestors did? When the wild calls, what will McKinley's answer be?
For the first time, McKinley's loyalties are torn. Should he stay with his humans and continue to lead the dogs of Steamboat Springs? Or should he join the wolf and live freely, like his ancestors did? When the wild calls, what will McKinley's answer be?
224 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2001
95 people are currently reading
2340 people want to read
About the author
Avi
346 books1,715 followersAvi is a pen name for Edward Irving Wortis, but he says, "The fact is, Avi is the only name I use." Born in 1937, Avi has created many fictional favorites such as
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle,
Nothing but the Truth,
and the Crispin series. His work is popular among readers young and old.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
August 27, 2010
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.
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.
February 7, 2023
McKinley was a good dog who lived a good life. He was part of a caring family, loved by his human pup Jack, had lots of friends, and held the distinction of being head dog of the Steamboat pack. Yes, life for the malamute was very good until the day a she-wolf by the name of Lupin arrived. Her words of freedom and wild enticed McKinley as he began to feel the burden of taking care of both his pack and his pup. Lupin had him questioning his life as a bound dog…a slave to humans and their will. As McKinley begins to witness the cruelty that humans were capable of, would he submit to his wolf ancestry and join Lupin to live a life without rules and conditions? What would a good dog do?
Although this story was written in the third person, Avi delights readers with a story told from a dog’s perspective. He gives us street names like Most Cars Way, Pine Smell Way, and Elk Scat Way. Jack loves to look at his staring papers (a book) while his parents seem mesmerized by their glow box (TV) and during the day, all the pups go to their special house (school). Avi shows us McKinley constantly “marking” certain areas so that his pack will know his comings and goings, he goes through the ritual of when dogs meet each other, and even describes McKinley’s frustration while trying to convey a rather simple concept to Jack (humans can be SO thick at times).
Avi checks all the right boxes with The Good Dog: age appropriate, an engaging story, memorable characters, great moral lessons, plenty of action and suspense, a few detestable villains, a hero who questions his purpose, some surprising twists, and an ending that’s sure to please. This book shows readers the value of loyalty, honor, and courage and illustrates how bloodline doesn’t dictate who your family is or where your future lies. Countless times McKinley is always looking out for Jack or a member of his pack and although he reaps both the rewards and punishments of his actions, these selfless acts make it clear why he was chosen to be head dog.
Throughout the book, McKinley was a friend, a best friend, a companion, a nemesis, a hero, a champion, and a leader. At the end of the day though, McKinley was just a dog, but more than that, he was a good dog.
We’re now posting videos of some of our book reviews! Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thedustyjacket or on Instagram @tdjreviews and join in on the fun!
Although this story was written in the third person, Avi delights readers with a story told from a dog’s perspective. He gives us street names like Most Cars Way, Pine Smell Way, and Elk Scat Way. Jack loves to look at his staring papers (a book) while his parents seem mesmerized by their glow box (TV) and during the day, all the pups go to their special house (school). Avi shows us McKinley constantly “marking” certain areas so that his pack will know his comings and goings, he goes through the ritual of when dogs meet each other, and even describes McKinley’s frustration while trying to convey a rather simple concept to Jack (humans can be SO thick at times).
Avi checks all the right boxes with The Good Dog: age appropriate, an engaging story, memorable characters, great moral lessons, plenty of action and suspense, a few detestable villains, a hero who questions his purpose, some surprising twists, and an ending that’s sure to please. This book shows readers the value of loyalty, honor, and courage and illustrates how bloodline doesn’t dictate who your family is or where your future lies. Countless times McKinley is always looking out for Jack or a member of his pack and although he reaps both the rewards and punishments of his actions, these selfless acts make it clear why he was chosen to be head dog.
Throughout the book, McKinley was a friend, a best friend, a companion, a nemesis, a hero, a champion, and a leader. At the end of the day though, McKinley was just a dog, but more than that, he was a good dog.
We’re now posting videos of some of our book reviews! Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thedustyjacket or on Instagram @tdjreviews and join in on the fun!
November 30, 2022
Ever read My Dog Skip? How about Shiloh or Where the Red Fern Grows or a lesser known book called Scruffy? Or god forbid, Old Yeller? These books are all children's books and also all about dogs, but they're also about dog abuse and dog death. They're about grief and circumstances outside of a child's control. Raise your hand if you were a young kid and ever picked up one of these innocuous books with a loveable pooch on the cover only to end up crying your heart out later. Or maybe, you didn't even choose these novels, and it was your school's sick and twisted idea of required reading for impressionable young minds.
Ask yourself: do you have dog book related trauma?
If the answer is yes, then you are entitled to compensation. That compensation is this very book, The Good Dog.
At 34 years old, I still can't look at a book about a dog without internally wincing. In fact, I consciously avoid reading any and all books about dogs. I thought it'd be different as an adult, I thought I could handle it. I tried reading Marley & Me when the book hit the shelves and was all the rage. But just like the books I read when I was a kid, it ended in tears. Thus other books with dogs adorning the covers gifted to me, the friendly neighborhood dog lady, like The Art of Racing in the Rain, forever collected dust on my shelves.
Until now. A friend gave me this book as a birthday present and boldly declared that if I didn't like this book, we could no longer be friends. I was entirely intrigued by this very bold proclamation of the novel's greatness, but completely intimidated by this book plastered with adorable doggos with their tongues hanging out. But you know, my friendship was on the line.
I worked up the guts nearly a month after my birthday, sat down with some mild misgivings about what I was doing to myself…and read the entire book in one sitting. And I have to say, this book healed years of trauma that I never fully and consciously realized I was carrying.
The Good Dog is a wholesome adventure told by the pack leader of the town's dog, McKinley, a half Malamute, half wolf dog. How this book has not been made into a Pixar or Disney movie is honestly beyond me. Anyways, McKinley, as a part-wolf dog is perfectly poised to see the best of both worlds—the domestic and the wild—and is torn between his love and loyalty to his life as a family dog and the, er, call of the wild, when a female wolf shows up to invite the town dogs to join her diminishing pack and to enjoy a life of freedom.
Through the eyes of McKinley, we witness the many different realities of dogs and their lack of choice in the life they lead. There's Redburn, the prized hunting Irish Setter who lives to obey his owners every command for fear of repercussions and Duchess, a greyhound perpetually chained outside to a cheap doghouse and forced to race against her will by a man who is cruel and unkind. There's also Tubbs, the basset hound (honestly in love with the idea of this dog), who is looked down upon by the other dogs, but is more than eager to please his pack leader. And there's the lovely retriever next door and McKinley's best friend, A. But there's also Lupin the wolf, whose freedom, confidence, and zest for life, brings out something primal in McKinley, who is suddenly not sure how he feels anymore about wearing a collar around his neck and protecting his "human pup" Jack.
Obviously, I loved all of these dogs. Even the antagonistic Redburn is sympathetic, as he's only a product of his environment. The poor dog is valued only for his prowess at hunting and as a status symbol, not his personality or companionship, which is very different from the love given to McKinley and the life the pack leader has in his own home. There are many life lessons in The Good Dog about kindness, loyalty, self worth, acceptance, and being true to one's self, and get this, none of these lessons involve a dog being horrifically and repeatedly abused, or having its parent or caretaker brutally murdered in front of their eyes (looking at you, Disney), or dying.*
I wasn't sure that any of these things were actually possible in a novel about dogs. It feels so healing that it is. And so criminal that I had never heard of this underrated and underappreciated book before.
The Good Dogis the book that every young child should read and every adult dog lover can cherish. McKinley's viewpoint feels like a real man's best friend narrating—complete with strange names for human things and a lack of understanding of their speech, as well as some pack dynamics and dog behavior thrown in—and it's utterly endearing and wholesome. Likewise, the commentary on the difference between wolves and dogs and the confusion at why humans love dogs and hate wolves is also incredibly poignant and can serve as an allegory for so many painful and real issues in our own world, like racism. And on a less metaphorical level, The Good Dog also serves as a reminder to readers of the very real threat wolves face as humans continue to breed dogs while hunting down their very ancestors, wolves.
In fact, reading this novel through McKinley's eyes put me to mind of viewing the world through Scout's innocent young eyes in the much lauded classic To Kill a Mockingbird. McKinley, like Scout, struggles to understand why the world is the way it is and the strange duality of humankind. I'm honestly not sure why The Good Dog has flown so under the radar, but I imagine it's something equivalent to it "just being a dog book."
But there are a lot of different levels to unpack in this heartwarming story and we could all use a little reminder to be more like dogs—to unconditionally love with our whole hearts, to stop and spend time with our dear friends, to give whatever is needed, to show gratitude where it is earned, and to protect those we hold dear.
If, like me, you needed a balm to soothe your soul from all of those crushing books you read as a child or even if you just need a heartwarming and wholesome read, read The Good Dog.
*Please note: The Good Dog does contain depictions of animal abuse. Duchess does share that she is verbally abused and her living conditions are indeed appallingly abusive, as is the fact that she's forced to race when she doesn't like it and is punished when she doesn't succeed. While this abuse is referred to multiple times in conversation, it mostly happens off page and what readers do see is certainly not on the level of other children’s books like Shiloh. Lupin is also met with prejudice and actual violence at the hands of the town members, who are threatened by her mere existence and are actively trying to kill her. Those who find this content upsetting should proceed with caution.
Ask yourself: do you have dog book related trauma?
If the answer is yes, then you are entitled to compensation. That compensation is this very book, The Good Dog.
At 34 years old, I still can't look at a book about a dog without internally wincing. In fact, I consciously avoid reading any and all books about dogs. I thought it'd be different as an adult, I thought I could handle it. I tried reading Marley & Me when the book hit the shelves and was all the rage. But just like the books I read when I was a kid, it ended in tears. Thus other books with dogs adorning the covers gifted to me, the friendly neighborhood dog lady, like The Art of Racing in the Rain, forever collected dust on my shelves.
Until now. A friend gave me this book as a birthday present and boldly declared that if I didn't like this book, we could no longer be friends. I was entirely intrigued by this very bold proclamation of the novel's greatness, but completely intimidated by this book plastered with adorable doggos with their tongues hanging out. But you know, my friendship was on the line.
I worked up the guts nearly a month after my birthday, sat down with some mild misgivings about what I was doing to myself…and read the entire book in one sitting. And I have to say, this book healed years of trauma that I never fully and consciously realized I was carrying.
The Good Dog is a wholesome adventure told by the pack leader of the town's dog, McKinley, a half Malamute, half wolf dog. How this book has not been made into a Pixar or Disney movie is honestly beyond me. Anyways, McKinley, as a part-wolf dog is perfectly poised to see the best of both worlds—the domestic and the wild—and is torn between his love and loyalty to his life as a family dog and the, er, call of the wild, when a female wolf shows up to invite the town dogs to join her diminishing pack and to enjoy a life of freedom.
Through the eyes of McKinley, we witness the many different realities of dogs and their lack of choice in the life they lead. There's Redburn, the prized hunting Irish Setter who lives to obey his owners every command for fear of repercussions and Duchess, a greyhound perpetually chained outside to a cheap doghouse and forced to race against her will by a man who is cruel and unkind. There's also Tubbs, the basset hound (honestly in love with the idea of this dog), who is looked down upon by the other dogs, but is more than eager to please his pack leader. And there's the lovely retriever next door and McKinley's best friend, A. But there's also Lupin the wolf, whose freedom, confidence, and zest for life, brings out something primal in McKinley, who is suddenly not sure how he feels anymore about wearing a collar around his neck and protecting his "human pup" Jack.
Obviously, I loved all of these dogs. Even the antagonistic Redburn is sympathetic, as he's only a product of his environment. The poor dog is valued only for his prowess at hunting and as a status symbol, not his personality or companionship, which is very different from the love given to McKinley and the life the pack leader has in his own home. There are many life lessons in The Good Dog about kindness, loyalty, self worth, acceptance, and being true to one's self, and get this, none of these lessons involve a dog being horrifically and repeatedly abused, or having its parent or caretaker brutally murdered in front of their eyes (looking at you, Disney), or dying.*
I wasn't sure that any of these things were actually possible in a novel about dogs. It feels so healing that it is. And so criminal that I had never heard of this underrated and underappreciated book before.
The Good Dogis the book that every young child should read and every adult dog lover can cherish. McKinley's viewpoint feels like a real man's best friend narrating—complete with strange names for human things and a lack of understanding of their speech, as well as some pack dynamics and dog behavior thrown in—and it's utterly endearing and wholesome. Likewise, the commentary on the difference between wolves and dogs and the confusion at why humans love dogs and hate wolves is also incredibly poignant and can serve as an allegory for so many painful and real issues in our own world, like racism. And on a less metaphorical level, The Good Dog also serves as a reminder to readers of the very real threat wolves face as humans continue to breed dogs while hunting down their very ancestors, wolves.
In fact, reading this novel through McKinley's eyes put me to mind of viewing the world through Scout's innocent young eyes in the much lauded classic To Kill a Mockingbird. McKinley, like Scout, struggles to understand why the world is the way it is and the strange duality of humankind. I'm honestly not sure why The Good Dog has flown so under the radar, but I imagine it's something equivalent to it "just being a dog book."
But there are a lot of different levels to unpack in this heartwarming story and we could all use a little reminder to be more like dogs—to unconditionally love with our whole hearts, to stop and spend time with our dear friends, to give whatever is needed, to show gratitude where it is earned, and to protect those we hold dear.
If, like me, you needed a balm to soothe your soul from all of those crushing books you read as a child or even if you just need a heartwarming and wholesome read, read The Good Dog.
*Please note: The Good Dog does contain depictions of animal abuse. Duchess does share that she is verbally abused and her living conditions are indeed appallingly abusive, as is the fact that she's forced to race when she doesn't like it and is punished when she doesn't succeed. While this abuse is referred to multiple times in conversation, it mostly happens off page and what readers do see is certainly not on the level of other children’s books like Shiloh. Lupin is also met with prejudice and actual violence at the hands of the town members, who are threatened by her mere existence and are actively trying to kill her. Those who find this content upsetting should proceed with caution.
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July 17, 2013
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 review:
I finished reading an awesome book called The Good Dog by Avi. The book is about a black-and-white malamute named McKinley. It is set in modern day. He has an owner named Jack. They live in Steamboat Springs. In the story, McKinley makes friends with a wolf, named Lupin. McKinley is the head dog, and the other dogs support him, except for his rival, Redburn. Redburn thinks he should be the head dog.
One morning McKinley woke up and opened the door with his paw. Someone left a piece of paper at the door with a picture of his greyhound friend Duchess on it. It said “Lost” and “Reward $200” on it. McKinley knew why she ran off, Duchess’ owner, Pycraft, was mean. Afterward, Pycraft planned a hunting party to hunt the wolf because he thought Duchess ran off with her. He wants to kill both of them. McKinley knew he must protect his friends. McKinley found Lupin and told her humans were hunting them. When the hunters were nearby, McKinley saw Redburn leading them. McKinley was not surprised. Redburn did everything his humans told him. Redburn tries to attach Lupin. McKinley launched on top on Redburn to protect her. Redburn yelps because McKinley scratched him. Pycraft aims his gun to shoot McKinley thinking he is the wolf. Fortunately, McKinley’s owner, Jack, pushed Pycraft on the ground. Jacked saved McKinley. The hunters gave up. Everything was fine. McKinley was still head dog. He didn’t get shot. Duchess joined Lupin’s pack. They lived happily ever after.
I enjoyed the action in this book. Plus, most of the dogs were really cool. I enjoyed that my dog is also named McKinley and looks like the main character.
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 review:
I finished reading an awesome book called The Good Dog by Avi. The book is about a black-and-white malamute named McKinley. It is set in modern day. He has an owner named Jack. They live in Steamboat Springs. In the story, McKinley makes friends with a wolf, named Lupin. McKinley is the head dog, and the other dogs support him, except for his rival, Redburn. Redburn thinks he should be the head dog.
One morning McKinley woke up and opened the door with his paw. Someone left a piece of paper at the door with a picture of his greyhound friend Duchess on it. It said “Lost” and “Reward $200” on it. McKinley knew why she ran off, Duchess’ owner, Pycraft, was mean. Afterward, Pycraft planned a hunting party to hunt the wolf because he thought Duchess ran off with her. He wants to kill both of them. McKinley knew he must protect his friends. McKinley found Lupin and told her humans were hunting them. When the hunters were nearby, McKinley saw Redburn leading them. McKinley was not surprised. Redburn did everything his humans told him. Redburn tries to attach Lupin. McKinley launched on top on Redburn to protect her. Redburn yelps because McKinley scratched him. Pycraft aims his gun to shoot McKinley thinking he is the wolf. Fortunately, McKinley’s owner, Jack, pushed Pycraft on the ground. Jacked saved McKinley. The hunters gave up. Everything was fine. McKinley was still head dog. He didn’t get shot. Duchess joined Lupin’s pack. They lived happily ever after.
I enjoyed the action in this book. Plus, most of the dogs were really cool. I enjoyed that my dog is also named McKinley and looks like the main character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2016
This is book my daughter rented from her school library for me to read as she already read it. It was a very cute book and I loved the symmetry of the dogs helping the female wolf. This book shows you just how smart dogs are.
March 26, 2013
I bought this book during my two years in the USA back in 2004-2006.
This has got to be one of my all time loves, I have read it more than 4 times now and I still can't get enough of it. Sure, it's a bit to easy to read and it doesn't really suite my age at all anymore. Every time I open the book the text seems to get bigger.
Anyhow, this book is amazing. I love the way it's written, the way things are described and how every individual character has a interesting personality which gradually develops. The descriptions in general are very good, it gets your imagination started and in the end you pretty much have a painted picture of the whole place, almost like a map.
I recommend this book to everyone, big or small!
This has got to be one of my all time loves, I have read it more than 4 times now and I still can't get enough of it. Sure, it's a bit to easy to read and it doesn't really suite my age at all anymore. Every time I open the book the text seems to get bigger.
Anyhow, this book is amazing. I love the way it's written, the way things are described and how every individual character has a interesting personality which gradually develops. The descriptions in general are very good, it gets your imagination started and in the end you pretty much have a painted picture of the whole place, almost like a map.
I recommend this book to everyone, big or small!
March 11, 2022
Suspenseful book set in Steamboat Springs, Colorado and the surrounding mountains. The protagonist is McKinley, malamute and the alpha dog of the town. His human pup is named Jack, and they have a strong bond. One day, Jack spots a wolf. The presence of the wolf stirs up the humans and the dogs in Steamboat Springs, and McKinley must resolve the problems. There is danger from man and nature SPOILER ALERT
no one dies!
no one dies!
November 14, 2018
The Good Dog by Avi is a really fun and exciting book! It is about a mischievous husky named McKinley who lives with a young boy named jack and his parents. They live in a small town in Alaska that is filled with dogs, and McKinley is the head dog of all of them! One day McKinley hears about a hurt wolf named lupin that was trying to get dogs to join her pack. McKinley sets out to help her back to her pack with one of his friends. Then a daring dog named Redburn challenges McKinley for the leadership of the Steamboat Dogs, which is the name of the pack. Now McKinley has to fight for the pack and fight for Lupins safety. When McKinley had finally got Lupin to some strength, he heard the news that humans were going to hunt for the wolf, leading them was Redburn. Will McKinley save Lupin from the hunters and keep his pack? Read the book to find out!
I think the author, Avi, did a great job! This book is one of the best I’ve read! It is so exciting and full of action. I think McKinley was my favorite character because he is just so smart and funny. Redburn was my
Least favorite because he is just a bod dog and is so annoying. I would definitely recommend this book to my family or friends! I would rate this book five stars!
I think the author, Avi, did a great job! This book is one of the best I’ve read! It is so exciting and full of action. I think McKinley was my favorite character because he is just so smart and funny. Redburn was my
Least favorite because he is just a bod dog and is so annoying. I would definitely recommend this book to my family or friends! I would rate this book five stars!
May 6, 2020
After slogging my way through Lincoln in the Bardo and putting aside Rudyard Kipling's Kim for a time when I'm less mentally tired, reading The Good Dog was incredibly refreshing. As strange as it felt to be reading a book with such large font compared to my usual fare, I really got into this story. The plot is quite straightforward and simple, but the pacing and the way the dogs view and interact with the human world are done so well. I liked the way the dogs had to understand human speech in bits and pieces based on word association and context, rather than understanding every word like in most stories from an animal's perspective.
As inadequate as this descriptor seems, The Good Dog is simply a good story. Avi knows what kind of story he wants to tell here, and he tells it very well. The result is an engaging and well-paced book that, despite its simplicity, never feels dumbed down. It may not be The Call of the Wild, but it's a nicely written animal adventure that manages to be both accessible and, at times, atmospheric.
As inadequate as this descriptor seems, The Good Dog is simply a good story. Avi knows what kind of story he wants to tell here, and he tells it very well. The result is an engaging and well-paced book that, despite its simplicity, never feels dumbed down. It may not be The Call of the Wild, but it's a nicely written animal adventure that manages to be both accessible and, at times, atmospheric.
February 7, 2022
Told from the point of view of McKinley, a dog who is trying to take care of his humans, his pack, and the entire town if need be (especially when a wolf comes to call.) This adventure story might take a little bit to get into, but once you get going, this is a story you can't put down. Poor McKinley, he really DOES try to be a 'good dog.'
December 28, 2017
Written from a dog's perspective, the main dog, a malamute, has to make a decision to join a wolf pack or stay with his humans and neighborhood dogs. I'm looking forward to sharing this one with my students!
August 22, 2020
I pre-read this for my rising fifth grader today. I think this will be the next book for independent reading. It was entertaining enough that I think it will keep his interest. As I read, I underlined words for him to "translate" from dog to human, such as soft sleeping place, eating place, etc.
March 23, 2025
a fun read for parents and kids
I read this book to my son, who is only 5 months old. It is good to read to them, but some of this short kids books get a little stale. This was a fun way to entertain me and read to him. It was a fun book.
I read this book to my son, who is only 5 months old. It is good to read to them, but some of this short kids books get a little stale. This was a fun way to entertain me and read to him. It was a fun book.
May 26, 2020
This book is so good! Another success for the Mama and Daughter book club!!!
April 14, 2016
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February 24, 2024
This is one of The Best books I have ever read. It introduces us to McKinley, a loyal dog, who faithfully watches over his “human pup” and his family. I read this together with my then two young children. Having dogs made us appreciate Avi’s clever and logical imaginings of how dogs view humans and human creations, such as furniture and technology, e.g. “glow box”.
The books tells the story of McKinley and other canines in his Colorado community. McKinley is torn when the Pack meets a female wolf, Lupin, who encourages them to relinquish being someone’s pet, leave their human families, and join her in vast freedom that can be realized if they do. Lupin is not devious or malicious; she just does not understand or appreciate the burden of their loyalty to their human pack.
The dogs’ interactions with their humans as well as each other creates a rich story that my family has remembered and still reference to each other even now, decades later. Highly recommend.
Thank you, Avi.
The books tells the story of McKinley and other canines in his Colorado community. McKinley is torn when the Pack meets a female wolf, Lupin, who encourages them to relinquish being someone’s pet, leave their human families, and join her in vast freedom that can be realized if they do. Lupin is not devious or malicious; she just does not understand or appreciate the burden of their loyalty to their human pack.
The dogs’ interactions with their humans as well as each other creates a rich story that my family has remembered and still reference to each other even now, decades later. Highly recommend.
Thank you, Avi.
January 30, 2018
Well, I read this book a few years ago. And, I read it twice after that: again a few years ago, and now. The dog's perspective was an interesting view, neat to think of what really goes on in our pet's mind.
My younger self loved this book because, partly, it horrified me so much. Even the small amount of violence and action The Good Dog contained was enough to alarm me, and subsequently keep me amused till page 243. The book stuck with me.
My view has changed a little.
What seemed like vivid action a few years ago is now different, definitely not how I remembered it.
And, (maybe I’m just nitpicking) but it’s hard for me to read a book when almost every other word is an adverb. A balance of showing and telling is helpful to me as a reader. This author seemed impatient to tell us when McKinley was feeling worried, angry, etc, when by his actions I already could have known.
Despite that, there are things in this book that reminded me why I adored all the character's so much when I was younger. It was fun to resurface memories.
My younger self loved this book because, partly, it horrified me so much. Even the small amount of violence and action The Good Dog contained was enough to alarm me, and subsequently keep me amused till page 243. The book stuck with me.
My view has changed a little.
What seemed like vivid action a few years ago is now different, definitely not how I remembered it.
And, (maybe I’m just nitpicking) but it’s hard for me to read a book when almost every other word is an adverb. A balance of showing and telling is helpful to me as a reader. This author seemed impatient to tell us when McKinley was feeling worried, angry, etc, when by his actions I already could have known.
Despite that, there are things in this book that reminded me why I adored all the character's so much when I was younger. It was fun to resurface memories.
June 5, 2017
I will preface this with my understanding that this book was not directed at a 22 year old reader.
That being said, it was still a somewhat interesting book. The language of course was simplistic, but the storyline was fairly engaging. I found the strange love-like tension between McKinley and Aspen to be a little unnecessary and unimportant to the plot. However, I did really like seeing one author's understanding of how much people language dogs can grasp. Seeing the story through McKinley's eyes yet seeing how he broke down what his humans were saying was a nice touch. Definitely a good book for little dog lovers.
That being said, it was still a somewhat interesting book. The language of course was simplistic, but the storyline was fairly engaging. I found the strange love-like tension between McKinley and Aspen to be a little unnecessary and unimportant to the plot. However, I did really like seeing one author's understanding of how much people language dogs can grasp. Seeing the story through McKinley's eyes yet seeing how he broke down what his humans were saying was a nice touch. Definitely a good book for little dog lovers.
February 6, 2019
Re-reading my favorite childhood book was pure nostalgia. I really can't rate it anything less than 5 stars for the simple fact that it holds so much meaning to me. As a child, it inspired me to explore creative outlets such as writing; I longed to publish a book as captivating as this.
As an adult, this story still held complex layers and plenty of adventure. Dog lovers will really enjoy reading from this perspective and Avi is so masterful at dissecting what this POV could be like in reality.
As an adult, this story still held complex layers and plenty of adventure. Dog lovers will really enjoy reading from this perspective and Avi is so masterful at dissecting what this POV could be like in reality.
September 25, 2015
This is a great, awesome book. It is about a dog named McKinley who has an adventure while making a choice. He has to decide whether to live with wolves or with humans. What I like about this book is: the names the dogs give human items. For example, they call kids "human pups" and they call tvs "light boxes." What I learned from this book is: true friendship is a major key in developing loyalty. By this I mean that if you are in a friendship in which love, play, and protection are big parts, then you can count on loyalty.
September 17, 2015
The good dog is about McKinley the dog who is reliable and trustworthy to his human family and is also is the leader of the dogs of Steamboat springs but then everything changes when the wolf lupin comes to get dogs to join her pack that is slowly diminishing because of hunters should he go or
not?
I love this book because this book is a beautiful story about dogs that are as smart as humans.
I learned that you have to have a license to own a dog in some places.
not?
I love this book because this book is a beautiful story about dogs that are as smart as humans.
I learned that you have to have a license to own a dog in some places.
June 4, 2016
Overall I thought the book was pretty good. It talks about a dog named Mckinley who is the main character and is faced with the decision to either stay home wth his owners or join a wolf that just came to town that wants to start a pack and live in the wild. McKinley chooses to stay home with his owner because of the loyalty and frienship they had that was unbreakable. I also like how the dogs called kids "human pups" and a TV a "light box". I thought that was pretty funny.
December 28, 2016
Good dog story
One of the unique things about this book wAs the story being told from the dogs viewpoint. Most of the time I liked it, but sometimes it seemed forced. It made you think about pets and their lack of freedom. They are protected and cared for, but very limited in what they can do.
One of the unique things about this book wAs the story being told from the dogs viewpoint. Most of the time I liked it, but sometimes it seemed forced. It made you think about pets and their lack of freedom. They are protected and cared for, but very limited in what they can do.
September 26, 2011
My daughter loved this book and encourages me to read it. :)
July 27, 2017
I liked this book. There was not a lot of action, but it had lovable characters: a malamute, a golden retriever, a greyhound, a wolf, and a boy.
September 26, 2025
I first read this book when I was in 3rd or 4th grade, so about 22 years ago. I remember loving it so much back then that I could not put it down and read it all in about 1 day. It was borrowed as a library book, and occasionally through the years after growing up and going through life, I'd try to remember "that book told from a dog's POV and he called his human kid a pup", but I just couldn't figure out was it was until very recently this year after embarking on a successful Google search. I was so elated to start reading this book again and just knowing that it was "THE BOOK" from all those years ago. The feelings it must have given me as a child reading this story on my own had to have been profound for it to stick so much with me through life. I loved it as much now as I did then, except this time, I had the pleasure of reading it and understanding it from an older perspective. I had new questions for the book, such as, "What people just let their dogs roam the neighborhood whenever they please too? And, where are these people living that the neighborhood doesn't see any issues with free roaming dogs?" I borrowed this from my library to read, and instantly ordered a copy for my own collection now that I know it is the right story from my childhood, because I fully plan to share this with my children now.
February 26, 2023
Technically I'm rating this 3.5 stars, but I can't justify it being four stars. I read this a long time ago as a child and wanted to re-read it for nostalgia as an adult. It definitely held up in some regards and fell flat in others.
I still loved the whole thing with McKinley fighting against wanting to invest in his wolf ancestry but also wanting to be the loyal head dog he is. I also think Avi did a great job creating an understanding of human language from a dog's POV, and I really enjoyed reading when the dogs would piece together words they understood.
That said, I felt the names of the setting took me out of the story a bit, as many streets ended in "Way" and it became repetitive of sorts. The names never bothered me as a child but it just seems more glaring now as an adult.
I also wish there had been a tiny less focus on the humans when it came to the story. Jack and his family were important, but I think it would have been nice to also develop seeing McKinley with other dogs but understandably couldn't since it's a relatively short novel at 166 pages.
Overall, I still very much enjoyed it and I think it's one of his better books to read if you're looking to read any book by Avi.
I still loved the whole thing with McKinley fighting against wanting to invest in his wolf ancestry but also wanting to be the loyal head dog he is. I also think Avi did a great job creating an understanding of human language from a dog's POV, and I really enjoyed reading when the dogs would piece together words they understood.
That said, I felt the names of the setting took me out of the story a bit, as many streets ended in "Way" and it became repetitive of sorts. The names never bothered me as a child but it just seems more glaring now as an adult.
I also wish there had been a tiny less focus on the humans when it came to the story. Jack and his family were important, but I think it would have been nice to also develop seeing McKinley with other dogs but understandably couldn't since it's a relatively short novel at 166 pages.
Overall, I still very much enjoyed it and I think it's one of his better books to read if you're looking to read any book by Avi.
September 6, 2017
The Good Dog
This book is a great read. Throughout the book, tough choices must be made and Mckinley must do what is best for his new friend, as well as all the dogs of Steamboat Springs. The Good Dog is a book about a dog named Mckinley. He is head dog, and he leads the dogs of Steamboat Springs. One day, Mckinley hears talk about a wolf from his human pup, Jack. Many dogs also are talking about how Duchesses, an abused dog ran away again. So, when Jack takes Mckinley out the find Duchesses, Mckinley tries to lead Jack away from Strawberry park, where the wolf and Duchesses are told to be. Even so, Mckinley runs into the wolf, and the wolf’s reaction is surprising. The wolf, Lupin, offers Mckinley to join her in the wild. She also tells that Duchesses is with her. Jack is amazed by Lupin, and he wants to join the wolf on the wild. Mckinley is torn between his pup and the wolf. Also, there is a rising threat. Redburn tracks down Duchesses for his owner, and Lupin gets shot. Now Mckinley has to help Lupin, and help Duchesses run away for good. The humans want to kill Lupin, just because she’s a wolf. And Redburn is ready to lead the humans to hurt Lupin. Redburn is constantly challenging Mckinley and tries to take the position of top dog. What will Mckinley do? And will Mckinley stay with his humans, or roam free with the wolves?
This book is a great read. Throughout the book, tough choices must be made and Mckinley must do what is best for his new friend, as well as all the dogs of Steamboat Springs. The Good Dog is a book about a dog named Mckinley. He is head dog, and he leads the dogs of Steamboat Springs. One day, Mckinley hears talk about a wolf from his human pup, Jack. Many dogs also are talking about how Duchesses, an abused dog ran away again. So, when Jack takes Mckinley out the find Duchesses, Mckinley tries to lead Jack away from Strawberry park, where the wolf and Duchesses are told to be. Even so, Mckinley runs into the wolf, and the wolf’s reaction is surprising. The wolf, Lupin, offers Mckinley to join her in the wild. She also tells that Duchesses is with her. Jack is amazed by Lupin, and he wants to join the wolf on the wild. Mckinley is torn between his pup and the wolf. Also, there is a rising threat. Redburn tracks down Duchesses for his owner, and Lupin gets shot. Now Mckinley has to help Lupin, and help Duchesses run away for good. The humans want to kill Lupin, just because she’s a wolf. And Redburn is ready to lead the humans to hurt Lupin. Redburn is constantly challenging Mckinley and tries to take the position of top dog. What will Mckinley do? And will Mckinley stay with his humans, or roam free with the wolves?
December 7, 2016
I read the Good Dog because I was trying a new book which it was a great book.The author used good descriptive words in the book to tell the story better. The author also put a lot of feelings in the book like who the animal felt in the book and tolled us that the animal felt different. The author put in a lot of characters in the book so he could use them a lot in the book.
Here is a little summary of the best parts:
I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes animals and is old enough to understand the book.
EZ
Here is a little summary of the best parts:
I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes animals and is old enough to understand the book.
EZ
March 3, 2019
This book was actually not that bad. There were some things about it that I really enjoyed.
One thing that I particularly enjoyed was the humor. The book wasn't really a "comedy", but there were a lot of funny moments. Most of these came to be because the story is focused on the thoughts of the dogs. It was interesting to hear what the dogs think of daily human activities.
I also found the overall story to be really good. I wish we could learn a bit more about Lupin, though. She was probably my favorite character in the book. In general, I liked how the story focused on a lot of different things. Usually, that type of storytelling can be a little choppy, but in this case, it flowed smoothly.
The last thing I want to address is the way the characters were portrayed. The author used a lot of great characterization. Each character had a unique personality. There wasn't really much character development, but that wasn't a drawback at all.
Overall, while it wasn't the greatest book I've ever read, I'd recommend picking it up sometime. It's a very fun book to read.
One thing that I particularly enjoyed was the humor. The book wasn't really a "comedy", but there were a lot of funny moments. Most of these came to be because the story is focused on the thoughts of the dogs. It was interesting to hear what the dogs think of daily human activities.
I also found the overall story to be really good. I wish we could learn a bit more about Lupin, though. She was probably my favorite character in the book. In general, I liked how the story focused on a lot of different things. Usually, that type of storytelling can be a little choppy, but in this case, it flowed smoothly.
The last thing I want to address is the way the characters were portrayed. The author used a lot of great characterization. Each character had a unique personality. There wasn't really much character development, but that wasn't a drawback at all.
Overall, while it wasn't the greatest book I've ever read, I'd recommend picking it up sometime. It's a very fun book to read.
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