Patches

The Puppy Place #8

by Ellen Miles

Charles and Lizzie Peterson love puppies. They have a puppy of their own named Buddy, but they also foster dogs that need help finding new homes.

Charles and his friend Sammy are on their way home from school one day when they hear a puppy crying. His name is Patches, and he's tied up in a garage all by himself. His owners seem to care ABOUT Patches, but they don't know how to care FOR him. And it's up to Charles and Lizzie to show them!

Genres: Childrens, Animals, Dogs, Fiction, Chapter Books, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade

Audible Audio

First published November 1, 2007

Reviews

[Elagabalus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have put off for about a year, reading this book, as I have had personal experiences in not having a home. Finally reading this, I feel happily complete.

This book is sweet and educating, but refers to the dog as 'it'. Also refers to the dogs' humans as 'owners' rather than the more friendly 'humans'. This is always unfortunate, the oppressive lexicon, and it was frequent enough to lower my enjoyment of what is otherwise a very nice book.

I like that there is some dog dialogue, but I wish there were more. I also like that in this family, fostering nonhumans is the norm. Fostering is something many people could do but don't, whether for selfish-possessive reasons, or ignorance.

The ending was happy, and comfortably resolute. I'm interested in reading more!

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another puppy place book for early chapter book readers. Cute! I read it to my daughter in 3 nights.

Emily (6 years old): The man didn't take care of Patches so he let Noelle have Patches. Read it!

[Julesy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another perfect book to a perfect series. To add to that, a perfect narrator! I had a beagle when a young girl so this book was very special to me. I love how Charlie and Lizzie handled the entire situation of a potential animal cruelty/abuse situation.

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patches is so cute!!!

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charles and his older sister, Lizzie, are in elementary school. They recently got a dog named Buddy and still foster dogs and help them find a home.

Charles and his friend, Sammy, get their nerve to go visit what is supposed to be a haunted house. When they get there, they hear a noise but discover it is a puppy named Patches tied up in a garage next door. They untangle his leash and give him some water and attention. They want to help Patches but don't know how so turn to the director of the rescue where Lizzie volunteers for advice.

Though this book is a quick read and directed at elementary-aged children, I found it entertaining. There is a learning experience and a puppy tip at the end. It is written in third person perspective and first person from the dogs' points of view. It is the eighth in the Puppy Place series, which currently has 64 books in the series, and works as a stand alone.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2022/12...

[Marlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter enjoyed this book, as she did the others we’ve read. This one concerned me a bit. Charles is only 8 and it seemed a bad (unsafe) example to set to have him constantly trying to care for this dog and spy on the family. Talking to an animal shelter and sending an email to the newspaper are great. But to hang out in an abandoned lot for hours without your parent knowing where you are, spying on a family and their dog, to me seems really dangerous. It had a happy ending and the puppy got a new home with someone who can spend more time with him.

[Katie Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to kids in grades 3-5. This book is about Charles and Lizzie Peterson who know a lot about puppies because their family is a foster family for puppies. One day Charles and his sister find a beagle puppy trapped in a garage of an abandoned house named Patches. They do everything they can to help the puppy. This is a sweet story about friendship and knowing when to do the right thing.

[Aria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Puppy Place #8 is a moving story about a puppy whose owners mistreat him. He howls a mournful howl, which is often mistaken for a ghost in the house next door. Charles and Sammy are determined to change this puppy's life from a sad, lonely one to a happy, carefree life, full of walks and love.
I would definitely suggest this book to anyone who has a soft spot for dogs and loves a good, touching adventure.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars from a dad reading this children's book with his daughter? You bet. This book has suspense, it has humor - more then the other books we're read so far in the series (and no slight on the author or the series - I just really enjoyed this one).

[Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute chapter book for elementary age kids from a series that focuses on dogs who are fostered or adopted. This book also shared tips for caring for dogs and handling a dog who may be neglected.

I read this with my 9 year old son, and we both enjoyed it.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sad book that ends happy.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles and Lizzie Peterson love puppies. They have a puppy of their own named Buddy, but they also foster dogs that need help finding new homes.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, if formulaic.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another super cute story. I like how this one touches on animal neglect but in a gentle manner.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for family time. Teaches good lessons on owning and caring for a dog.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandkids and I just love the Puppy Place Series!

[Story R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved it and i think that patches ended up with the best owner possible for him. and also all the other dog in The Puppy Place series also had great owners at the end:)

[Megan Scarpelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book I read to Nash

[Julia Jasztal · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Mommy's review from 2/15/12)


3.5 - I started thinking Julia would prefer the Magic Tree House series to this one but this book may have changed that.
I had no idea how much about fostering/rescuing puppies this actually was besides the clue from the front cover 'where every puppy finds a home'. Rescuing and animals in general is very dear to Julia's heart.
The fact that this is a family helping these animals, much like ours does, makes it very real for us and even more so Julia is able to relate to children being able to actually help. Not just care, but help.
If we get others in this series that were as interesting as this I think we could finish the series. This one took a little while because we read one, sometimes two, chapters a night.
I do have to say, this is obviously a bit young for myself but Miles makes it okay. She makes it not so bad reading for a 30-something year old mother. I like that.(less)

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 8 year old loves the Puppy place books by Ellen Miles. I approve as well. The kids in this book are regular kids with everyday problems. Much better than other literature about sassy kids, which we find a lot of at this level. We have read several of the Puppy place books and I am guessing Katie will continue with the whole series.

[Katie Taylor Gerran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

This book is such a good book!I love this book so much.I have two dogs named Benny and Charlie.Benny had a old owner that had to give Benny up.(Kinda like how patches owner had to give him up.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book about a puupy who was not treated very nicly. He was locked on a chain in a garage with no foofd or water anf a foster family saved him!

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I.M.

[Kaylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book.it is a book about a lonely dog who needs help.

[Ian Rhines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book.

[Lindsay]

good book. but to young for thirteen year olds.

[Madison Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to love these books and still do. I have been collecting the ever since and still doing it at 12 years old.l

[Lynda]

Great

[Gina]

Finished 1/28/16

[Jessica]

My daughter loves the entire series. It truly is very similar storyline in each...just with a different dog.