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Porridge Hall Trilogy #1
Dog Friday
Ten-year-old Robin Brogan is determined to keep the dog he finds abandoned on the beach from being impounded by the police.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
2 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Hilary McKay
131 books387 followersHilary McKay was born in Boston, Lincolnshire and is the eldest of four girls. From a very early age she read voraciously and grew up in a household of readers. Hilary says of herself as a child "I anaesthetised myself against the big bad world with large doses of literature. The local library was as familiar to me as my own home."
After reading Botany and Zoology at St. Andrew's University Hilary then went on to work as a biochemist in an Analysis Department. Hilary enjoyed the work but at the same time had a burning desire to write. After the birth of her two children, Hilary wanted to devote more time to bringing up her children and writing so decided to leave her job.
One of the best things about being a writer, says Hilary, is receiving letters from children. She wishes that she had written to authors as a child, but it never occurred to her to contact them
Hilary now lives in a small village in Derbyshire with her family. When not writing Hilary loves walking, reading, and having friends to stay.
After reading Botany and Zoology at St. Andrew's University Hilary then went on to work as a biochemist in an Analysis Department. Hilary enjoyed the work but at the same time had a burning desire to write. After the birth of her two children, Hilary wanted to devote more time to bringing up her children and writing so decided to leave her job.
One of the best things about being a writer, says Hilary, is receiving letters from children. She wishes that she had written to authors as a child, but it never occurred to her to contact them
Hilary now lives in a small village in Derbyshire with her family. When not writing Hilary loves walking, reading, and having friends to stay.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
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January 30, 2009Hilary McKay is hands down my FAVORITE contemporary children's author and I wish I could write like she does. This is nowhere near her best book, yet her quirky characterization and timeless, seamlessly natural yet elegant prose are typical of her style. She manages to merge hilarity with a kind of undercurrent of myth... there always seems to me to be a Fisher King theme latent in her stories (maybe I'm a little obsessed... but deny it if you can in Permanent Rose.). Anyway I wish I could write like McKay, and if everyone else was as good as she is I would be a happier reader.
September 3, 2021
I think that I'm going to have to read this again. It's a bit like the best parts of The Penderwicks and the classics that series tries to emulate; it's both poignant and hilarious, and it's totally satisfying.
Great for a young reader who may not realize that there are depths... and so also great for family and classroom read-alouds (but don't inflict a discussion upon your children/ students unless they initiate and lead one).
I'm going to have to read it again before releasing... found in an LFL.
Sequel is ebook (at OKC)... not sure if I'll be able to find third.
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Even funnier, and more satisfying, the second time (in less than a year!).
I'm going to have to try Sun Dance's dessert: bread with jam, or honey, in a bowl. Pour milk over (maybe sweetened condensed, warmed, in winter) (top with a scoop of ice cream in summer).
Great for a young reader who may not realize that there are depths... and so also great for family and classroom read-alouds (but don't inflict a discussion upon your children/ students unless they initiate and lead one).
I'm going to have to read it again before releasing... found in an LFL.
Sequel is ebook (at OKC)... not sure if I'll be able to find third.
---
Even funnier, and more satisfying, the second time (in less than a year!).
I'm going to have to try Sun Dance's dessert: bread with jam, or honey, in a bowl. Pour milk over (maybe sweetened condensed, warmed, in winter) (top with a scoop of ice cream in summer).
September 29, 2012
Dog Friday was just what I needed to get out of a recent book slump. I have a few authors I know I can count on, and Hilary McKay is one of them. If I need a guaranteed winner, she's on the list.
Up until now, I had only read books about the wacky and delightful Casson family. This sweet story is about boy who, while trying to overcome a fear of dogs, finds a stray and falls in love. During an agonizing week of waiting to see if the dog is claimed, Robin's wild and crazy neighbors keep him and his mother busy by coming up with one harebrained scheme after another.
Hilary McKay's writing is joyous, no matter what story she's telling. I can't help but gush when I recommend her.
Up until now, I had only read books about the wacky and delightful Casson family. This sweet story is about boy who, while trying to overcome a fear of dogs, finds a stray and falls in love. During an agonizing week of waiting to see if the dog is claimed, Robin's wild and crazy neighbors keep him and his mother busy by coming up with one harebrained scheme after another.
Hilary McKay's writing is joyous, no matter what story she's telling. I can't help but gush when I recommend her.
March 30, 2021
Read this years ago, and still remember trying to read one section aloud and not being able to get through it because I was laughing so hard. The kids are trying to welcome guests to their mother's bed and breakfast, completely incompetently.
But the heart of this story is Robin and his struggle to overcome his fear of dogs and work out a way to keep a sickly dog he finds on the beach near his home on the coast of England. Unique characters--a McKay trademark, and the reason she is one of my all-time favorite authors EVER! And this one is not very long. The ones in the Casson series, and the ones about the 4 sisters --"The exiles" are longer but WELL worth it--actually even better.
But the heart of this story is Robin and his struggle to overcome his fear of dogs and work out a way to keep a sickly dog he finds on the beach near his home on the coast of England. Unique characters--a McKay trademark, and the reason she is one of my all-time favorite authors EVER! And this one is not very long. The ones in the Casson series, and the ones about the 4 sisters --"The exiles" are longer but WELL worth it--actually even better.
September 3, 2017
It's a very great pity that literally all of the covers are so terrible no matter what edition you get, because this was a THOROUGHLY enjoyable book. It didn't take itself too seriously, you had a character on the spectrum (implied although never explicitly stated), and a main character who gave exactly zero cares about being alternately bullied and/or adored at school.
There's one scene about halfway through that had me literally in stitches I was laughing so hard. This is definitely one I'll be purchasing to read aloud later.
There's one scene about halfway through that had me literally in stitches I was laughing so hard. This is definitely one I'll be purchasing to read aloud later.
January 19, 2018
Robin saab koeralt hammustada, mistõttu hakkab ta koeri kartma. Ta muidugi tegeleb selle probleemiga, kuni leiab rannast mahajäetud koera. Poiss otsustab koera endale võtta.
Raamat sobib hästi II kooliastme lugemisvaraks. Mõnusalt kirjutatud lugu sisaldab nii kooliprobleeme, kui ka põnevaid ettevõtmisi, mida saaks õpilastega arutada.
Mõnus lugeda ka täiskavsnutel. ;)
Raamat sobib hästi II kooliastme lugemisvaraks. Mõnusalt kirjutatud lugu sisaldab nii kooliprobleeme, kui ka põnevaid ettevõtmisi, mida saaks õpilastega arutada.
Mõnus lugeda ka täiskavsnutel. ;)
December 3, 2013
This was Hilary McKay's third book, but the first one I read. If I'm remembering rightly, it got a terrific Publisher's Weekly review on publication in 1997 (I was a regular and close reader of that publication at the time), so I sought it out despite having a strong disinclination for books about a) dogs b) boys. I was immediately won over by how funny McKay can be, and by how real and messy and endearing her characters are. There's not much to the story. A boy has to deal with his fear of dogs, Dan, the school bully, and his mother's worries over her struggling bed and breakfast business. Then a family with four high-spirited eccentric children (one of them apparently on the spectrum, although it's not clearly stated) moves in next door. They try to solve all his problems, but they seem to end up hindering just as much as they help. If it's not one of McKay's best books, it's probably because the main character, Robin, tends to fade into the background, while the more colorful goings on of the next door neighbors take center stage.
In any case, it was a great joy to return to this book after many years, and to read it aloud to my son, who loved it (I hadn't been at all sure what he'd think) and laughed at all the right places.
In any case, it was a great joy to return to this book after many years, and to read it aloud to my son, who loved it (I hadn't been at all sure what he'd think) and laughed at all the right places.
December 18, 2017
I thought this was a really cute book for kids. The scene with a child showing people around a bed and breakfast and being honest, as only a child can be, is hysterical.
November 19, 2018
SEE RAAMAT ei ole Eestis mitte mingit tähelepanu pälvinud, keegi ei tea seda, keegi ei tsiteeri ja kui üks inimene kolme aasta jooksul tsiteeribki, ei tunne keegi teine tsitaate ära?
Olgu, ta ilmus aastal 2000 imelikul libedal paberil tolle aja kaanekujundusega, mis viitab kohmakale noortekale - aga see on nii krdi hea raamat, et ta isegi neist raskustest pidanuks end läbi murdma!
On normaalsed peremudelid (üksikema pojaga), normaalsed suhted, armastus, mida väljendadakse peamiselt sõnadega, mis mõnes teises kohas või kontekstis võiksid tahumatut viha tähendada, ja kõik on korraga usutav - ning samas rõõmus ja põnev.
Inimesed selles raamatus ei ürita olla sellised või toosugused, nad ON. Ja lugu on põnev otsast otsani. Koer on oluline, kuigi kohtame teda ainult mõnel korral, on poisid, on tüdrukud, mõlemad tõelised (ja eriti karmilt usutav on veel Sun Dance, sest täpselt nii muljeid tuubil täis ning suutmatuid neid ära seedima-inimesi ON) ja kokku on lihtsalt TORE. Mitte halemeelne ega poeetiline, aga just tore.
Üks sõber ütles, et see on nagu Lingreni klassik, ainult et rootsi huumori asemel on briti oma.
Olgu, ta ilmus aastal 2000 imelikul libedal paberil tolle aja kaanekujundusega, mis viitab kohmakale noortekale - aga see on nii krdi hea raamat, et ta isegi neist raskustest pidanuks end läbi murdma!
On normaalsed peremudelid (üksikema pojaga), normaalsed suhted, armastus, mida väljendadakse peamiselt sõnadega, mis mõnes teises kohas või kontekstis võiksid tahumatut viha tähendada, ja kõik on korraga usutav - ning samas rõõmus ja põnev.
Inimesed selles raamatus ei ürita olla sellised või toosugused, nad ON. Ja lugu on põnev otsast otsani. Koer on oluline, kuigi kohtame teda ainult mõnel korral, on poisid, on tüdrukud, mõlemad tõelised (ja eriti karmilt usutav on veel Sun Dance, sest täpselt nii muljeid tuubil täis ning suutmatuid neid ära seedima-inimesi ON) ja kokku on lihtsalt TORE. Mitte halemeelne ega poeetiline, aga just tore.
Üks sõber ütles, et see on nagu Lingreni klassik, ainult et rootsi huumori asemel on briti oma.
October 21, 2023
Stond op lijst met kinderboeken waarin verstandelijke beperkingen aan de orde komen. Sundance is wel anders, maar heeft eerder ADD of ADHD in combinatie met een wat warrige slimheid waardoor hij alles onthoudt, en al zijn gedachten aan elkaar knoopt, maar geen verstandelijke beperking. Toch een leuk kinderboek.
June 16, 2023
Odd, fascinating, quirky.
I am working my way through the Hilary McKay books that I have not read yet. So glad I found this one.
Parts of this book are hilarious. Parts make no sense plot-wise. Parts are incredibly beautiful, wise and poignant.
I am working my way through the Hilary McKay books that I have not read yet. So glad I found this one.
Parts of this book are hilarious. Parts make no sense plot-wise. Parts are incredibly beautiful, wise and poignant.
January 7, 2024
Read to see if my daughter would enjoy.
Lovely, old-fashioned story about childhood scrapes! I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the gentle yet dramatic plot. A good read.
Lovely, old-fashioned story about childhood scrapes! I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the gentle yet dramatic plot. A good read.
July 25, 2011
No opening line, because I already returned the book and forgot to write it down.
The first time I read a Hilary McKay book (last year), I wondered how on earth my family had managed to miss them all these years. I'm still not sure about that, because she seems so classic and also hysterically funny.
Anyway, in an effort to make up for lost time, I've been reading through her books. I am done with the Exiles and done with the Cassons and now I've started on the Dog Friday trilogy.
Robin, who lives with his mother in an old house that she attempts to run as a bed and breakfast, has a new fear of dogs, for good reason. He also has a new set of neighbors, a rather mad family called the Robinsons. The Robinsons are determined to cure Robin of his fear of dogs, get people to come to the bed and breakfast, and vanquish the local bully.
The beginning was a little slow, but about halfway in I started giggling to myself. By the end, I was reading the exploits of Sundance and Beany and laughing my head off. In short, this is a great, fun book. It has less emotional weight than the Casson books, and less heft than the Exiles, but I think a slightly younger crowd would love it, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it myself.
Hilary McKay, previously
The first time I read a Hilary McKay book (last year), I wondered how on earth my family had managed to miss them all these years. I'm still not sure about that, because she seems so classic and also hysterically funny.
Anyway, in an effort to make up for lost time, I've been reading through her books. I am done with the Exiles and done with the Cassons and now I've started on the Dog Friday trilogy.
Robin, who lives with his mother in an old house that she attempts to run as a bed and breakfast, has a new fear of dogs, for good reason. He also has a new set of neighbors, a rather mad family called the Robinsons. The Robinsons are determined to cure Robin of his fear of dogs, get people to come to the bed and breakfast, and vanquish the local bully.
The beginning was a little slow, but about halfway in I started giggling to myself. By the end, I was reading the exploits of Sundance and Beany and laughing my head off. In short, this is a great, fun book. It has less emotional weight than the Casson books, and less heft than the Exiles, but I think a slightly younger crowd would love it, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it myself.
Hilary McKay, previously
July 8, 2012
Ten-year-old Robin Brogan's mother is called to the hospital where Robin is swaddled in bandages and sporting two black eyes. To the nurse's horror, his mum has no kind words for the boy. Not that Robin minds. He knows how worried she must have been to be told he was at the hospital. And of course she disapproves of fighting.
Set on the coast of Yorkshire, England, Robin's mother runs a bed and breakfast that overlooks the ocean. The house, called Porridge Hall, had sometime in the past been divided so that it is now two residents. The other side of the house has just been sold to the Robinson family. The four Robinson children have the unusual names of Sun Dance, Beany, and the twins, Ant and Perry. Their dog is known as Old Blanket.
Old Blanket is a problem for Robin. When he was four he was attacked by a dog on the beach requiring numerous stitches and a three day hospitalization. Robin had picked up a toy ring on the beach, not realizing it belonged to the dog. When he ran, the dog gave chase. He's older now and doesn't completely blame the dog, the fear is still there.
Hilary McKay writes wonderfully funny and touching stories. There are three books in the Porridge Hall series, all stories involving animals.
Set on the coast of Yorkshire, England, Robin's mother runs a bed and breakfast that overlooks the ocean. The house, called Porridge Hall, had sometime in the past been divided so that it is now two residents. The other side of the house has just been sold to the Robinson family. The four Robinson children have the unusual names of Sun Dance, Beany, and the twins, Ant and Perry. Their dog is known as Old Blanket.
Old Blanket is a problem for Robin. When he was four he was attacked by a dog on the beach requiring numerous stitches and a three day hospitalization. Robin had picked up a toy ring on the beach, not realizing it belonged to the dog. When he ran, the dog gave chase. He's older now and doesn't completely blame the dog, the fear is still there.
Hilary McKay writes wonderfully funny and touching stories. There are three books in the Porridge Hall series, all stories involving animals.
May 2, 2015
Robin had a very bad experience with a dog. After a nasty period in hospital he lives in fear of dogs, and is quite lonely, until a new family move in next-door. There are twins around his age, a small and independent sister called Beany, and a brother called Sun Dance who evidently has some kind of learning problem, but it’s not spelled out what it is.
It’s not a long story, and is mainly character-based, so there’s not any single plot, or mystery, or indeed anything much going on other than Robin’s gradual friendship developing, and losing his fear of dogs. The family next door are, as so many of this author’s are, quite chaotic and very active, yet loyal to each other, deep down. I didn’t find myself caught up with them as I did in the series about the Casson family, but it made enjoyable reading.
Recommended for anyone over the age of about eight; there’s a tense and potentially scary scene towards the end which might frighten a younger child, and discussion of one or two sensitive issues in passing. But overall I liked it very much. I’d give three and a half stars if I could.
It’s not a long story, and is mainly character-based, so there’s not any single plot, or mystery, or indeed anything much going on other than Robin’s gradual friendship developing, and losing his fear of dogs. The family next door are, as so many of this author’s are, quite chaotic and very active, yet loyal to each other, deep down. I didn’t find myself caught up with them as I did in the series about the Casson family, but it made enjoyable reading.
Recommended for anyone over the age of about eight; there’s a tense and potentially scary scene towards the end which might frighten a younger child, and discussion of one or two sensitive issues in passing. But overall I liked it very much. I’d give three and a half stars if I could.
February 1, 2016
Dog Friday was a good book, as long as you can understand whats going on. When 10 year old Robin meets his new neighbors, the Robinsons, he has to try and get along with them. The Robinson family is full of really crazy and energetic kids, Perry and Ant are 10 year old twins who love to cause trouble, Sun Dance is an 8 year old boy with a very active imagination, and Beany is a 6 year little girl who is so responsible that she can almost run a bed and breakfast by herself. When a 10 year old bully named Dan starts giving Sun Dance trouble will Robin be the one to step up and help or will he just sit there and watch? On the adventure of becoming friends with the new kids he finds a dog. When Robin's mom decides to give the dog to the police Robin is forced to wait a week unil he can call the dog his. Will he wait the week or will he decide that the dog isn't worth it?
July 31, 2009
This book is about a kid Named Ronald Brogan. He's terrified by dogs ever since a dog attacked him. He ended up in the hospital. When he finds an old starving dog on the beach, he doesn't know what to do. Now his new neighbors him to overcome his fear of dogs. Can he overcome his fear of dogs to save one?
When I was 4, I was afraid of large dogs, until my aunt bought one. After some time I over came my fears. When I was in Mexico, I saw a dog that was starving under a truck. I did not know what to do, until I saw some guy notice the dog and gave him some water.
I gave the book 4 stars because it was funny at some parts. Overall, it was a good book. I recommend this book to anyone who has a fear of dogs, or likes dogs.
When I was 4, I was afraid of large dogs, until my aunt bought one. After some time I over came my fears. When I was in Mexico, I saw a dog that was starving under a truck. I did not know what to do, until I saw some guy notice the dog and gave him some water.
I gave the book 4 stars because it was funny at some parts. Overall, it was a good book. I recommend this book to anyone who has a fear of dogs, or likes dogs.
February 5, 2014
I read Dog Friday to one of my kids several years ago and loved it. I read it to my little Glory (actually she is ten now) and loved it even more. Hilary McKay is funny. Actually, labeling her like that is unfair. She is so much more than funny. Her characters are live and her locations exist. Her lives are much more complex than just funny. And yet laughing is a major part of the Dog Friday reading experience. Everything from Sundance's "Ancient Laws!" to Beanie's whispered "Why is your husband crying?" will bring happy laughter from your soul. I read it and enjoyed it without reservation as an adult. My ten-year-old girl enjoyed it every bit as much as I did. I can't wait to read it with my next child.
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April 24, 2014OMG I just love this book! It is absouleutley amazing. When Robin finds a starving gravy dog on the beach, he and Sun Dance obviously try to rescue it. However, Robin still has his fear of dogs from a dog that attacked him and sent him to the Emergency Room. He has to fight his fears to rescue the dog. After he finally befriends the animal, he suddenly sees a "missing dog" notice. It describes Dog Friday, which robin named him, perfectly. Does Robin keep his dog? Does Friday run back to his "former owners"? Is the add in the paper even supposed to be Dog Friday, Robin's now beloved dog? Well, you'll have to read to find out!
July 23, 2012
This is one of the earliest of Hilary McKay's books that I've read, and it doesn't have the emotional depth of her later books...but I'm really glad I read it, because it was hilarious. It really did read like a PG Wodehouse novel for kids, with that level of sparkling wit, eccentric characters, and hilarious situations straight through. I'll definitely be looking for Book 2 in this series! And Hilary McKay is one of my very favorite authors in any genre.
July 18, 2009
This book takes place on the Yorkshire coast of England. The characters in the story have a charm and innocence. The plot captures many of the joys of childhood. This isn't a dog story which some might assume by the title.
It was given a fifth through eighth grade interest level by Follett. It would also make an excellent read-aloud for a younger audience.
It was given a fifth through eighth grade interest level by Follett. It would also make an excellent read-aloud for a younger audience.
July 3, 2017
Robin Brogan has just gotten out of the hospital. He was bitten in the face by a dog and now he is terrified to be around dogs. The class bully is making fun of him for being so afraid. But things get even worse when the new family moves in next door. Not only do they have a dog, but the kids are crazy! How will Robin ever survive?
February 10, 2010
Really sweet children's book with funny, quirky kids. The Robinson children, in general, kind of blobbed together in my mind personality-wise, but I liked that general oddball personality so it didn't bother me too much.
March 12, 2009
Voorgelezen aan Hanne (9j)
Aan de fam. Robinson
'Wij zijn bereid Meneer Kluifjes op te komen graven & beloven plechtig goed voor hem te zullen zorgen'!
Aan de fam. Robinson
'Wij zijn bereid Meneer Kluifjes op te komen graven & beloven plechtig goed voor hem te zullen zorgen'!
January 26, 2010
Pretty good book. Deals with animals, family relationships, being different.
October 11, 2012
Hilary McKay never fails to make me laugh out loud! She combines the poignant with the comic so effortlessly. Whenever I need a "sure thing" I turn to the amazing Hilary McKay.
May 3, 2013
A must read with one of the funniest, laugh-out-loud scenes ever written! My ten-year-old son (at the time) loved it.
January 18, 2016
Good despite the ugly and dated cover
library copy
library copy
September 11, 2016
simply told, and yet funny, touching, and memorable
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January 19, 2014Delightful!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews