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Dozer's Run: A True Story of a Dog and His Race
Dozer the Goldendoodle has a wonderful life! He and his best friend, Chica, belong to a loving family. They have warm beds to sleep in, enough food to eat, and plenty of room in their yard to play and investigate. What more could a good dog want? As it turns out, Dozer wants an adventure. And when a runner runs past his yard, followed by another, and another, and another, Dozer decides to follow and see what is happening. In May 2011, unbeknownst to his owner, Dozer slipped out of his yard in Highland, Maryland, enticed by the sight of people running past. The runners were participating in the Maryland Half Marathon, a race benefitting the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center. Dozer joined the 2,000 runners in the race, inspiring everyone along the 13-mile race course. By the time his adventure was over and he was reunited with his family, Dozer's "Run" encouraged thousands of pledges in support of the Greenebaum Cancer Center. This true story of a playful dog that actually runs a half marathon entertains as well as inspires.
“. . . an engaging, believable tale that will resonate with young readers and listeners. . . . With obvious appeal to animal lovers, this could also be used to start conversations about empathy and community activism.”
–Booklist
“. . . inspirational. . . . Readers will surely be motivated by this book to ‘take steps, big and small, to help others.’”
–School Library Journal
“. . . Dozer is a charmer. . . .”
–Kirkus Reviews
“Used as a read aloud for young children this story will inspire altruistic and community spirited support for worthy fund-raising.”
–Reading Today (International Reading Association)
Keystone to Reading Book Award List 2015-2016 (Pennsylvania’s Keystone State Reading Association)
2016 Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award Nominee (Kansas Reading Association)
“. . . an engaging, believable tale that will resonate with young readers and listeners. . . . With obvious appeal to animal lovers, this could also be used to start conversations about empathy and community activism.”
–Booklist
“. . . inspirational. . . . Readers will surely be motivated by this book to ‘take steps, big and small, to help others.’”
–School Library Journal
“. . . Dozer is a charmer. . . .”
–Kirkus Reviews
“Used as a read aloud for young children this story will inspire altruistic and community spirited support for worthy fund-raising.”
–Reading Today (International Reading Association)
Keystone to Reading Book Award List 2015-2016 (Pennsylvania’s Keystone State Reading Association)
2016 Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award Nominee (Kansas Reading Association)
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 22, 2018
The book I used to introduce Dozer’s Run: A True Story of a Dog and His Race would be Rescue & Jessica A Life-changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes. Since both of the books are dealing with dogs I would categorize both books in the science category. I would categorize it in the science category because the dogs are working as a companion and learning about dogs is more of a science category. I chose this book to introduce Dozer’s Run: A True Story of a Dog and His Race because it is important for students to understand that dogs are more than just animals and they can be healing companions for individuals and can be a friend. The Rescue & Jessica A Life-changing Friendship is about a girl who was struggling and lost her left leg and was told she would be losing her right one as well. Rescue (the dog) was being trained to be service dog and Jessica was gifted him. Rescue (the dog) rescued Jessica and Jessica rescued him. Dozer’s Run: A True Story of a Dog and His Race the dog was being a “normal” dog and went chasing some runners and come to find out they were in a marathon for cancer. The twin text I would use would be Venn diagram to compare/contrast the two different dogs within the stories. I would first read the fiction book and have students tell all characteristics about the dog and then read the non-fiction book. Once the students told everything about the two dogs we would compare them!
Kensky, J. & Downes, P. (2018). Rescue & Jessica a life-changing friendship. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Levy, D. (2014). Dozer’s run: A true story of a dog and his race. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear Press.
Kensky, J. & Downes, P. (2018). Rescue & Jessica a life-changing friendship. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.
Levy, D. (2014). Dozer’s run: A true story of a dog and his race. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear Press.
July 30, 2014
Based on true story--great for dog lovers.
April 8, 2017
Another alleged nonfiction book with no source notes.
September 2, 2023
There’s more than one way to win a marathon.
I loved the gentle humor of this picture book. Some of the funniest scenes were the ones that tried to explain Dozer’s explanation of what those mysterious humans were doing when he found so many of them running past his yard. Surely they must have been chasing something amazing, right? I grinned as he made the sudden decision to join them in their race to see if his assumption was correct.
It would have been helpful to have a better explanation of how this dog escaped from his yard, especially since Chica, the other dog in their family, stayed put. Did he find a hole in a fence or slip out of his leash, for example? If this question had been answered, I would have gone for a full five star rating.
There’s a chapter of this tale that nobody except Dozer will ever know the true details of that involves where he went and what he did after the marathon ended and he was relatively far away from home. The authors did a wonderful job of sharing what the humans were able to figure out about how he spent that night while still keeping everything factual. That must have been a tricky balance to maintain, so I’m glad they pulled it off so nicely.
Dozer’s Run – A True Story of a Dog and His Race was a thrilling adventure.
I loved the gentle humor of this picture book. Some of the funniest scenes were the ones that tried to explain Dozer’s explanation of what those mysterious humans were doing when he found so many of them running past his yard. Surely they must have been chasing something amazing, right? I grinned as he made the sudden decision to join them in their race to see if his assumption was correct.
It would have been helpful to have a better explanation of how this dog escaped from his yard, especially since Chica, the other dog in their family, stayed put. Did he find a hole in a fence or slip out of his leash, for example? If this question had been answered, I would have gone for a full five star rating.
There’s a chapter of this tale that nobody except Dozer will ever know the true details of that involves where he went and what he did after the marathon ended and he was relatively far away from home. The authors did a wonderful job of sharing what the humans were able to figure out about how he spent that night while still keeping everything factual. That must have been a tricky balance to maintain, so I’m glad they pulled it off so nicely.
Dozer’s Run – A True Story of a Dog and His Race was a thrilling adventure.
April 5, 2018
I liked this book because it could relate to several students who may have pets. This is based on a true story which could also teach students what it takes to be a non fiction book. This is a fun read aloud story, so as a class we could prompt discussion.
May 18, 2014
When a Goldendoodle named Dozer decides to join the hundreds of individuals running past his yard, he provides encouragement and amusement for them. This picture book will have high appeal for animal lovers since it includes scenes showing dogs at their best, sniffing every scent in the world around them. I loved reading this true story about a dog that ran his own half marathon and ended up inspiring others to donate money for cancer research. The hardest part of the race came after it was finished since Dozer had to find his way home. Thank goodness this one has a happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2014
This is a sweet story about a dog who joins the excitement of a half marathon, running most of it himself and encouraging others along the way, before making his way home. The story is told from Dozer's perspective which fictionalizes things a bit. For example, the dogs explorations of the farm include the mentions of many of the smells they noticed along the way. A cute story that kids are bound to enjoy.
November 27, 2014
"...the whiff of wet wood...skin of snake, vapor of vole..." What fun phrases to see the world from the dog's point of view!
Simple two-page illustrations keep the focus on the racers and the dogs.
Backmatter shows the real Dozer, and gives information about why long-distance running is really not a good idea for canines.
Can't wait to read this one aloud - it'll be tough chosing which grade will hear it first!
Simple two-page illustrations keep the focus on the racers and the dogs.
Backmatter shows the real Dozer, and gives information about why long-distance running is really not a good idea for canines.
Can't wait to read this one aloud - it'll be tough chosing which grade will hear it first!
February 26, 2015
A wonderful story that is True, Dozer joined a race, finished the course and came home, a real life lesson. The story had lots of kid appeal, a dog story, a sports story, with illustrations that make the whole experience very real. Lots to discuss after you share this. Why were the people running (the race was to support an important cause), why do you think Dozer joined, how did he manage to get home?
Read and enjoy.
Read and enjoy.
January 18, 2017
This is an awesome story, especially for dog lovers. This inspirational picture book tells the true tale of Dozer, a dog who became so curious by the runners going past his home, that he took off and joined them. It turned out that the runners were participating in the Maryland Half Marathon to raise money for cancer research. Everyone was so excited about the dog running the entire course, that donations poured in to sponsor Dozer's run.
August 17, 2014
bookaday #127. Based on actual events, with a photo of the real Dozer in the back, a dog unwittingly completes a half marathon! Nice touch with alliteration describing the smells the dogs encounter in the yard.
October 27, 2014
Much like Chelsa Crowley, Dozer competes in a race he didn't earn a spot in.
Nice imaginative attempt at a peek into the scent-obsessed experiences of dogs.
Nice imaginative attempt at a peek into the scent-obsessed experiences of dogs.
January 15, 2015
4 Stars This is a cool book an a true story. I just thought it was a great story ! I might use for Animal Heroes for our Summer Reading Programs.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vgGR... See the video!
January 15, 2015
I love that this book is a true story. It was a great read and fun to watch the YouTube video of Dozer crossing the finish line. Now this dog has raised a lot of money for cancer. Go Dozer, I'd like to read more about you.
July 31, 2014
This book is so cute. I'm a sucker for non-fiction about dogs!
September 18, 2014
Beautiful true story about a dog, Dozer, who accidentally runs a half marathon.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews