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I Live In A Doghouse
Eleven-year-old Nick Cassidy's stepsister delights in calling him gross names. His half-sister loves for Nick to push her in the stroller, to his embarrassment. What if the guys from school see him? All Nick wants is his father to come back and take him away from this crazy family. Is it any wonder he sometimes lives in the doghouse?
I LIVE IN A DOGHOUSE is the story of a boy's struggles to accept his new family while he longs for the old. When his father finally returns, will Nick's dreams come true? Or will he discover that memories sometimes are faulty, and it’s best to forget the past and treasure the present?
I LIVE IN A DOGHOUSE is the story of a boy's struggles to accept his new family while he longs for the old. When his father finally returns, will Nick's dreams come true? Or will he discover that memories sometimes are faulty, and it’s best to forget the past and treasure the present?
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 6, 2015
1 person want to read
About the author
Beverly Stowe McClure
19 books456 followersMost of the time you'll find Beverly in front of the computer, writing stories young voices whisper in her ear. Other times she's snapping pictures of wildlife, clouds, and flowers. She has fifteen books published for children and teens, some of them award winners, like the Children's Literary Classics, Sharp Writ Awards, and Next Generation Indie Awards, as well as others.
To relax she plays the piano. Her kitties don't appreciate good music and hide when she tickles the ivories.
Happy Reading. She hopes you enjoy her novels and picture books.
To relax she plays the piano. Her kitties don't appreciate good music and hide when she tickles the ivories.
Happy Reading. She hopes you enjoy her novels and picture books.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 3, 2014
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book for review. I know. You're jealous. Here's my review:
This is another terrific middle grade book from Beverly Stowe McClure, the author of many books for children and teens, including The Star of the Team and Life on Hold.
I LIVE IN A DOGHOUSE is the tale of a family adjusting to the ups and downs of a blended family. You’ve got step-parents, half-siblings, and step-siblings. This is a situation many kids can relate to these days. But it is also a story of eleven-year-old Nick Cassidy’s coming to terms with a father who may, or may not be, the larger-than-life figure Nick remembers from before. Without giving away the plot (and wow – what a plot!), let me just say that Nick learns that sometimes, the thing you want most in life is right beside you.
This book touches upon so many issues middle grade readers face today: blended families, peer rivalry, and, sometimes, less-than-stellar parents. But it also celebrates the power of family and friends and pets. Especially a dog that lets young Nick share his doghouse. I LIVE IN A DOGHOUSE would be a perfect addition to any home or school library.
Highly recommended.
This is another terrific middle grade book from Beverly Stowe McClure, the author of many books for children and teens, including The Star of the Team and Life on Hold.
I LIVE IN A DOGHOUSE is the tale of a family adjusting to the ups and downs of a blended family. You’ve got step-parents, half-siblings, and step-siblings. This is a situation many kids can relate to these days. But it is also a story of eleven-year-old Nick Cassidy’s coming to terms with a father who may, or may not be, the larger-than-life figure Nick remembers from before. Without giving away the plot (and wow – what a plot!), let me just say that Nick learns that sometimes, the thing you want most in life is right beside you.
This book touches upon so many issues middle grade readers face today: blended families, peer rivalry, and, sometimes, less-than-stellar parents. But it also celebrates the power of family and friends and pets. Especially a dog that lets young Nick share his doghouse. I LIVE IN A DOGHOUSE would be a perfect addition to any home or school library.
Highly recommended.
January 20, 2015
Growing up, we had an awesome wooden wall hanging with five different dogs representing the five members of our family. When we did something wrong, our dog would get moved into the doghouse. Funny thing—I always wanted to be the one in the doghouse because it was so cute! Needless to say, the title of this book alone charmed me.
Beverly McClure didn’t disappoint with the story line. Eleven year old Nick has a new life to get used to; step dad, step sister, baby half sister. Then his real dad shows up and he’s pretty sure he shouldn’t be glad about it, but he really wants to be. Nick’s struggle to assimilate to his new life seems to get interrupted by life itself. All he wants to do is be an eleven year old and when he finally gives into that, his little sister goes missing. Wracked by guilt, Nick has to involve his whole family in the search for Lily. Will they find her or will Nick end up in the doghouse terminally?
I Live In A Doghouse is an adorable middle grade read well-suited for both boys and girls. The voice and the story line are both genuine. Well-done Mrs. McClure.
Beverly McClure didn’t disappoint with the story line. Eleven year old Nick has a new life to get used to; step dad, step sister, baby half sister. Then his real dad shows up and he’s pretty sure he shouldn’t be glad about it, but he really wants to be. Nick’s struggle to assimilate to his new life seems to get interrupted by life itself. All he wants to do is be an eleven year old and when he finally gives into that, his little sister goes missing. Wracked by guilt, Nick has to involve his whole family in the search for Lily. Will they find her or will Nick end up in the doghouse terminally?
I Live In A Doghouse is an adorable middle grade read well-suited for both boys and girls. The voice and the story line are both genuine. Well-done Mrs. McClure.
October 19, 2016
The children in this story are adorable and fun. My nephews laughed at the names Nick and Grace (step-brother and step-sister) called each other. And Gus, Nick's best friend, is a riot. Even Accident, their dog, was a lot of fun and very much one of the characters. Lily, Nick's baby sister, is also super cute...and sort of the star of the story.
I have to say that Beverly Stowe McClure nailed the characters. She knows how to write for children and about children. She teaches young readers about gardening, tackles the topic of animal abuse when kids pick on a cat at the park, and also parents that leave their kids for whatever reason. In this story, Nick's real dad left because he had a drinking problem and became abusive. But all of this is done in a light way that kids can understand.
There's a twist at the end that brings the family together (Nick, Nick's Mom, Grace, Grace's Dad, Baby Lily, Accident, and even the cat...Pirate Eye).
This is a sweet story with important lessons.
The only thing was the slang was dated (right-on, spiffy).
I have to say that Beverly Stowe McClure nailed the characters. She knows how to write for children and about children. She teaches young readers about gardening, tackles the topic of animal abuse when kids pick on a cat at the park, and also parents that leave their kids for whatever reason. In this story, Nick's real dad left because he had a drinking problem and became abusive. But all of this is done in a light way that kids can understand.
There's a twist at the end that brings the family together (Nick, Nick's Mom, Grace, Grace's Dad, Baby Lily, Accident, and even the cat...Pirate Eye).
This is a sweet story with important lessons.
The only thing was the slang was dated (right-on, spiffy).
May 19, 2015
This book has a cute cover and title, and many cute scenes, although there are some serious issues within the pages. Nick is dealing with a stepparent, half-siblings, step-siblings, the whole blended family life, and a father whom he has mixed feelings for. The book has a lot of heart and important lessons. I believe kids, and even adults, can relate to this story.
February 13, 2015
I Live in a Doghouse touches on a topic that many young people experience, living in a blended family. Despite eleven-year-old Nick Cassidy's problems, Beverly Stowe McClure's use of humor makes for a fun read that middle graders will enjoy. I know I did!
January 10, 2019
Nick yearns for his dad to take him away from his new family. Traci can be difficult for Nick to live with being how bossy she is, but she too has had her share of struggles with not only losing her mom but also having to deal with her own part of the dynamics of a blended family. Nick’s half-sister, Lily is 18 months old, cute but can be a handful at times for Nick. Though Nick deals with the pangs of this crucial change in his life, he learns to glean the good out of it. This is about dealing with alterations, adapting to love those whom you wouldn’t have thought you could and grow strong through adversity. Beverly McClure has done a wonderful job in putting together a story that is interesting, at times comical, at times sad and altogether a weaved a theme into the pages meant to help those having hard times themselves. It teaches; take life with a grain of salt, and try and find something good in everything even the trials of life. This is a well-written story for children, and adults will definitely enjoy it as well. Great to read together with a child that is experiencing similar circumstances.
April 24, 2015
I Live in a Doghouse, by Beverly Stowe McClure, is the story of Nick, his dog who is named Accident, and the blended family with whom they live. Things were mostly fine when it was just Nick, his mom and their four-legged friend. But now he has to share a home with a bossy step-sister, Grace (who is allergic to Accident), a step-dad, and a new baby sister. To make matters worse, he's always being asked to babysit. When Nick wants to escape, mostly to avoid babysitting, he hides out in the doghouse with Accident, who has been banished from the house due to Grace's allergies.
On the surface this book is a light-hearted read with lots fun and comical events taking place. The overall story provides greater depth with interesting and well developed characters, and a back-story which gives this book true substance. As the book progresses, it takes on a more serious tone, while maintaining a whimsical vein. I Live in a Doghouse is an excellent book that will appeal to young readers, especially those with a blended family experience. This book comes highly recommended for school and home libraries.
On the surface this book is a light-hearted read with lots fun and comical events taking place. The overall story provides greater depth with interesting and well developed characters, and a back-story which gives this book true substance. As the book progresses, it takes on a more serious tone, while maintaining a whimsical vein. I Live in a Doghouse is an excellent book that will appeal to young readers, especially those with a blended family experience. This book comes highly recommended for school and home libraries.
May 7, 2015
The cover and title got me first. Then I began to read. I was immediately charmed. Not only is the book entertaining, but also very well written, every word in place, every paragraph thought out, every page perfect. But the book deals with serious issues too, like blended family, absent parents, physical abuse. But, as usual, McClure keeps us giggling as we read. I highly recommend this book for any kid from 9 - 12. This is McClure's best book yet.
August 17, 2015
In I Live in a Doghouse, Beverly Stowe McClure hits you right in that soft spot. She manages to capture exactly what it feels like to be a child dealing with a combined family and an absentee dad. Nick is a sweet, lovable character you can't help but cheer on. Most importantly--it has something every middle grade book needs: a sweet dog!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews