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Matty Doolin
Matty is fifteen and, in his Tyneside home in the 1960s, this means it is time for him to leave school and follow his father into the docks and get a job in ship building. All Matty really wants, however, is to work with animals, tend them, help them and care for them. But he has no qualifications and his parents have no real understanding of his ambition – they won’t even let him keep Nelson, the old stray dog he befriends and takes home.
Yet, finally, it is because of Nelson that Matty gets permission to go on a camping holiday with his friends, Joe and Willie. And this holiday, on a farm high on the fells, will take Matty through unexpected dangers but to a new and satisfying way of life.
An exciting and heartwarming tale that will strike a chord of recognition with all children with a desire to choose their own path in life.
Yet, finally, it is because of Nelson that Matty gets permission to go on a camping holiday with his friends, Joe and Willie. And this holiday, on a farm high on the fells, will take Matty through unexpected dangers but to a new and satisfying way of life.
An exciting and heartwarming tale that will strike a chord of recognition with all children with a desire to choose their own path in life.
- GenresFiction
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1965
31 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Cookson
463 books690 followersCatherine Cookson was born in Tyne Dock, the illegitimate daughter of a poverty-stricken woman, Kate, who Catherine believed was her older sister. Catherine began work in service but eventually moved south to Hastings, where she met and married Tom Cookson, a local grammar-school master.
Although she was originally acclaimed as a regional writer - her novel The Round Tower won the Winifred Holtby Award for the best regional novel of 1968 - her readership quickly spread throughout the world, and her many best-selling novels established her as one of the most popular contemporary woman novelist. She received an OBE in 1985, was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1993, and was appointed an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford, in 1997.
For many years she lived near Newcastle upon Tyne.
Although she was originally acclaimed as a regional writer - her novel The Round Tower won the Winifred Holtby Award for the best regional novel of 1968 - her readership quickly spread throughout the world, and her many best-selling novels established her as one of the most popular contemporary woman novelist. She received an OBE in 1985, was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1993, and was appointed an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford, in 1997.
For many years she lived near Newcastle upon Tyne.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 13, 2014
1. Oxford level2
2. 11/10=30minutes 11/11=40minutes
3. A boy- a dog- a dream- farmer- a camp-happening- life
4. "We'll always find our way home."
I like this sentence, because I feel power from this sentence.
5. The main character ,the boy is very cute! His dream is wonderful. I feel that having dream is wonderful.
2. 11/10=30minutes 11/11=40minutes
3. A boy- a dog- a dream- farmer- a camp-happening- life
4. "We'll always find our way home."
I like this sentence, because I feel power from this sentence.
5. The main character ,the boy is very cute! His dream is wonderful. I feel that having dream is wonderful.
February 13, 2020
This is definitely an older book telling about life during a simpler time. I think the level is good for my ESL students, but for those who have never been to America, this could be very misleading about how current life is in the States.
August 15, 2021
First children's I've read
It time for matty to leave school - his problem is wants to work with animals, but his parents want him to work in the docks. Matty life changes when he goes camping with friends.
It time for matty to leave school - his problem is wants to work with animals, but his parents want him to work in the docks. Matty life changes when he goes camping with friends.
September 15, 2020
Lovely story
This was a very nice story and the characters were all so different but so interesting
The contrast between the two dogs was poignant
This was a very nice story and the characters were all so different but so interesting
The contrast between the two dogs was poignant
September 15, 2022
Een jongetjes van 15 jaar is redelijk streng opgevoed door zijn ouders. Hij mag niet veel en ze willen dat hij in de fabriek gaat werken. Hij wil iets met dieren doen. Op een dag vind hij een hond.
May 21, 2016
1.Oxford, level2
2.80minutes
3.animal, dream, work, friend, kindness, nature, growing
4.a)The boy named Matty was unhappy because anything is bad, about working after graduation, dog and camping. His father killed dog, Matty was very disappointed. So his father allowed him to go camping to farm to encourage him. Matty was happy to work in farm, bad his friends was not interested in it so Matty was not fun about it. And he was not friendly and cooperative. Later, Matty grew about mental. This book was written its proses.
b)My favorite scene is Matty and girl of farmer became friends. At first, Matty did not get along with her, they helped each other and Matty protect her when they met with disaster. I could know his growth of him and I feel relief.
5.This story told me importance of friend ship and cooperation. However Matty's father disagreed the job Matty wanted to do, Matty never gave up his dream and could persuade his father. As he do, I want to not give up my dream as a possible.
2.80minutes
3.animal, dream, work, friend, kindness, nature, growing
4.a)The boy named Matty was unhappy because anything is bad, about working after graduation, dog and camping. His father killed dog, Matty was very disappointed. So his father allowed him to go camping to farm to encourage him. Matty was happy to work in farm, bad his friends was not interested in it so Matty was not fun about it. And he was not friendly and cooperative. Later, Matty grew about mental. This book was written its proses.
b)My favorite scene is Matty and girl of farmer became friends. At first, Matty did not get along with her, they helped each other and Matty protect her when they met with disaster. I could know his growth of him and I feel relief.
5.This story told me importance of friend ship and cooperation. However Matty's father disagreed the job Matty wanted to do, Matty never gave up his dream and could persuade his father. As he do, I want to not give up my dream as a possible.
January 13, 2014
@Publisher: OXFORD BOOKWORMS
@Time of reading
12/24 60 min
@7 word summary
Boy dog friend die parent go camping
@Discussion question
Do you like camping?
@My answer
Yes, I do. I did it while I was in Canada. I like outdoor, so that time was awesome for me, though my friends were surprised to me. I camped in a orchard to work and to live for about 3 months. Even except that experience, I have camped many times with my family. if i could make time, i would like to camp again and again.
@What I think about the book.
this book was good. it was a life story of a boy. I also have two dogs in my home, so i wonder what i will think about my life when they die in sudden. moreover, i like animals so much, too. (like this main character) animals are animals. however, they are alive same as us. i believe animals have their own hearts. they could be a friends with human, and they could influence on our lives deeply. it tells it cleary.
@Time of reading
12/24 60 min
@7 word summary
Boy dog friend die parent go camping
@Discussion question
Do you like camping?
@My answer
Yes, I do. I did it while I was in Canada. I like outdoor, so that time was awesome for me, though my friends were surprised to me. I camped in a orchard to work and to live for about 3 months. Even except that experience, I have camped many times with my family. if i could make time, i would like to camp again and again.
@What I think about the book.
this book was good. it was a life story of a boy. I also have two dogs in my home, so i wonder what i will think about my life when they die in sudden. moreover, i like animals so much, too. (like this main character) animals are animals. however, they are alive same as us. i believe animals have their own hearts. they could be a friends with human, and they could influence on our lives deeply. it tells it cleary.
November 12, 2013
This certainly has the feeling of a children's classic, a character and his dog, hardliner (but soft-hearted) parents and some goofball friends. However, the story never jumps off the handle and turns into one of those Enid Blyton adventure stories but stays focussed on serious and realistic issues. While this makes it a good, educating read for YA readers, it kind of makes it not worth picking up for seasoned readers of fiction because the 'ending' and resolution can be smelled a mile off and resembles a modern fairy tale about what comes to hard working people and people that are nice to animals and prefer nature over urban environments. Hence, the last 50 pages were just a bland roll-up of the remaining strings and quite anti-climatic. A shame really, but I will give one of Cookson's other books a chance and hope she dares to tread in more speculative fictional waters there.
October 19, 2015
①level2,Catherine Cookson
②10/17…20min,10/18…20min,10/19…20min,10/20…20min
③matty doolin、Nelson、Willie、Joe、Mr.Walsh、job、affection
④"I'd like to be here every day, summer or winter.”
Matty doolin want to get a job which is related to animals, but his father wanted him to get a job which is to make the ships because his father was this job.
He is retiring, so he could not talk about his feeling to his father. Then, he began to help to take care of the animals in the farm near his house. However, his father tought to him to stop helping the animals in the farm. Then, he said this line. I was moved because he tought his feeling to his father first. I could feel his growth through the animals.
⑤In the middle of story, his dog was died by the car accident. It was so sad for me, but I could feel his growth through the story, so I could feel brisk feeling after reading.
②10/17…20min,10/18…20min,10/19…20min,10/20…20min
③matty doolin、Nelson、Willie、Joe、Mr.Walsh、job、affection
④"I'd like to be here every day, summer or winter.”
Matty doolin want to get a job which is related to animals, but his father wanted him to get a job which is to make the ships because his father was this job.
He is retiring, so he could not talk about his feeling to his father. Then, he began to help to take care of the animals in the farm near his house. However, his father tought to him to stop helping the animals in the farm. Then, he said this line. I was moved because he tought his feeling to his father first. I could feel his growth through the animals.
⑤In the middle of story, his dog was died by the car accident. It was so sad for me, but I could feel his growth through the story, so I could feel brisk feeling after reading.
May 6, 2015
1. Oxford Level2
2. 5/4＝15min 5/6＝60min
3. boy/dog/die/work/camping/teacher/new life
4. a. ”Tell him how you love animals.Remember, if you want something in this life,you have to work to get it.”
b. I like this passage because it makes Matty strong and changed him mind. I think the teacher's words are really big for Matty.
5. The biginning of the story, Matty gives up coming true his dream because his parents disagree that. He almays cannot tell his opinion to his family or friends. However his life was changed by the dead of his dog Nelson. Finaly, his parents let him to come true his dream:) I was pleased but, I hope him to become
communicate with people expect animals.
2. 5/4＝15min 5/6＝60min
3. boy/dog/die/work/camping/teacher/new life
4. a. ”Tell him how you love animals.Remember, if you want something in this life,you have to work to get it.”
b. I like this passage because it makes Matty strong and changed him mind. I think the teacher's words are really big for Matty.
5. The biginning of the story, Matty gives up coming true his dream because his parents disagree that. He almays cannot tell his opinion to his family or friends. However his life was changed by the dead of his dog Nelson. Finaly, his parents let him to come true his dream:) I was pleased but, I hope him to become
communicate with people expect animals.
July 1, 2013
Oxford, level 2.
Time 6/30=55min. 7/1=40min. total=95min.
Seven word summary / dog, die, friend, farm, camp, storm, job
Q. Have you ever been to farm?
A. Yes, I have been to farm with my family and my friend’s family when I was a elementary school student. There were many cows in the farm and my family and my friend was milking there but I was afraid of cows. So I couldn’t be milking…
It was easy to understand this story, so I enjoyed reading this book. When I finished reading this book, I want to go camp and a farm. If I go to farm again, I try to be milking.
Time 6/30=55min. 7/1=40min. total=95min.
Seven word summary / dog, die, friend, farm, camp, storm, job
Q. Have you ever been to farm?
A. Yes, I have been to farm with my family and my friend’s family when I was a elementary school student. There were many cows in the farm and my family and my friend was milking there but I was afraid of cows. So I couldn’t be milking…
It was easy to understand this story, so I enjoyed reading this book. When I finished reading this book, I want to go camp and a farm. If I go to farm again, I try to be milking.
May 21, 2014
1:Oxford, Level2
2:5/20=17minutes, 5/21=65minutes
3:work with animals, Nelson, camping, farm, dog, storm, new life
4:a)"If you want something in this life, you have to work to get it."
b)I agreed this passage. We have to take actions to get something all the time.
5)The beginning of this story, the main character-MATTY-was giving up his dream. His dream was working with animals. However, finally, his dream have come true! That why he always thought and took action for his dream. It's so important, so I want to come true my dream in the future like him.
2:5/20=17minutes, 5/21=65minutes
3:work with animals, Nelson, camping, farm, dog, storm, new life
4:a)"If you want something in this life, you have to work to get it."
b)I agreed this passage. We have to take actions to get something all the time.
5)The beginning of this story, the main character-MATTY-was giving up his dream. His dream was working with animals. However, finally, his dream have come true! That why he always thought and took action for his dream. It's so important, so I want to come true my dream in the future like him.
June 11, 2014
1 OXFORD Level2
2 5/6=15 5/11=70
3 dog, die, farm, parents, camp,troble, job
4 a) A boy is leaving school in a few week's time but he hasn't decided what he do. He wants to get a job with animals, however, his parents don't let it.
b) He gave up his dream. I dislike this scene because I have experienced giving up my dream like him. I sympathized with him and I want him to come true his dream.
5 At first, a boy gave up his dream but his dream has come true because he took action for it. I learned it is important to take action like him.
2 5/6=15 5/11=70
3 dog, die, farm, parents, camp,troble, job
4 a) A boy is leaving school in a few week's time but he hasn't decided what he do. He wants to get a job with animals, however, his parents don't let it.
b) He gave up his dream. I dislike this scene because I have experienced giving up my dream like him. I sympathized with him and I want him to come true his dream.
5 At first, a boy gave up his dream but his dream has come true because he took action for it. I learned it is important to take action like him.
February 6, 2016
I read this book for the 2015 Ultimate Reading challenge to read a book from your childhood. I earned this book as a child (for saying Bible verses) and it has taken me 40 years to get around to reading it. I am glad that I finally read it and I enjoyed the story. I think I would have probably enjoyed it more if I had read it when I was younger. As an adult, I felt like the story moved a bit slow and was a little predictable. However, the dramatic and near tragic parts close to the end did make for a good climax to the story.
July 1, 2013
Oxford Level;2
85 min
dog/farm/camp/job/adventure/rural/home
Do you have any pets?
Yes, I have.I have two dogs. They are very cute.
I love them.
Matty loves aminals,so he wants to work at farm. At first, his father didn't allow that he work at farm, but finally, he allowed that. I was happy too.
85 min
dog/farm/camp/job/adventure/rural/home
Do you have any pets?
Yes, I have.I have two dogs. They are very cute.
I love them.
Matty loves aminals,so he wants to work at farm. At first, his father didn't allow that he work at farm, but finally, he allowed that. I was happy too.
April 30, 2014
Like passage: It all began because Nelson.
Why: He was very dissapointed when his dog was dead. But he can change because Nelson.
Doesn't like passage:I didn't kill anybody. It was only dog.
Why: The driver said that. I really think the word is very bad.
Publisher Oxford
Level 2
Time it took to read: 75 minutes
Date April 30th
7 word summary: dog die farm parents camping life mountain
Why: He was very dissapointed when his dog was dead. But he can change because Nelson.
Doesn't like passage:I didn't kill anybody. It was only dog.
Why: The driver said that. I really think the word is very bad.
Publisher Oxford
Level 2
Time it took to read: 75 minutes
Date April 30th
7 word summary: dog die farm parents camping life mountain
Read
June 28, 20171. oxford, 2
2. June 27=80min
3. left home, accident, his dog's death, camping, storms, work experience, news life
4. This story is about a boy whose name is "Doolin" thought he would like to work with animals on farm, but his parents didn't let him leave home because he was too young. Then, he went camping with his friends. He had good and bad experiences there. I thought go camping was good experience for him because he could help farm work and came into contact with many farm animals. He really loved animals.
5. I like this story because it was realistic and I could imagine clearly all of scenes. And also, it was good that I could find his grow through camping experience. I recommend this book. It was so excited to read on and I was concerned more story.
2. June 27=80min
3. left home, accident, his dog's death, camping, storms, work experience, news life
4. This story is about a boy whose name is "Doolin" thought he would like to work with animals on farm, but his parents didn't let him leave home because he was too young. Then, he went camping with his friends. He had good and bad experiences there. I thought go camping was good experience for him because he could help farm work and came into contact with many farm animals. He really loved animals.
5. I like this story because it was realistic and I could imagine clearly all of scenes. And also, it was good that I could find his grow through camping experience. I recommend this book. It was so excited to read on and I was concerned more story.
July 16, 2018
Easy to understand. Great if you can know What do you love, what do you want to do...? Matty, Congratulation
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews