Moondog

by Alice Hoffman, Yumi Heo (Illustrator)

An irresistible Halloween tale by one of Scholastic Press' most gifted storytellers.

Michael McKenzie and his sister Hazel are awakened a few nights before Halloween by growling and howling. The next morning, they find their front yard in shambles, and a small bundle cowering on their doorstep. It's a puppy! A cute, darling little mutt they decide to call Angel. They soon learn, however, that Angel is no ordinary puppy, especially when the moon is full..... Hoffman and her teenage son's delightful tale of the challenges of owning a were-puppy is charmingly illustrated by acclaimed artist Yumi Heo.

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Childrens, Fiction, Holiday, Dogs

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1988

About the author

Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The World That We Knew; The Marriage of Opposites; The Red Garden; The Museum of Extraordinary Things; The Dovekeepers; Here on Earth, an Oprah’s Book Club selection; and the Practical Magic series, including Practical
Magic; Magic Lessons; The Rules of Magic, a selection of Reese’s Book Club; and The Book of Magic. She lives near Boston.

Reviews

[Lata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about a puppy that arrives suddenly on a family's doorstep.

[Karly Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a charming book! It really isn't Halloween locked and shouldn't be grouped as a 'seasonal only' book. Continuing on my 'read all of Alice Hoffman's books in chronological order' list and I am so glad I bought a copy of this! Sweet that she co-wrote it with her high school aged son! The illustrations are delightful. Lovely. Read while recovering from surgery; opioids make it hard for me to read as I recover; a children's book so well done was a treat, I cold read this!

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is strange. Very, very strange. It also is a Halloween book, which made it unsuitable for my purposes. That isn't why it got the low rating, though. I rated it lower because the book didn't progress well or in a fluid manner, and there were holes big enough to lose a moon into!

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very mysterious! I love how the houses in the beginning looked like they were a bit suspicious and the swirls in the moondogs coat. I thought this was sweet. Definitely Halloween-like.

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read aloud book for kids especially at Halloween time!

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hazel & Michael convince their parents to let them keep the sweet puppy someone left in a basket on their back porch. They name her Angel because she's sweet and cuddly and almost perfect...except when the moon is full. After their kitchen is destroyed by some big-footed creature, the kids track footprints all the way to the door of Mrs. Mingle, a woman the entire neighborhood fears. What now?

Kids will be interested in hearing about a werepup, and the story is kind of cute, but I would have enjoyed it more if we'd seen more of the dogs after we meet Mrs. Mingle and learn they are werepups.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't realize this book would be geared toward 3rd -5th grade reading when I got it on order at the library. I assumed it was one of the author's young adult books. So nice to see her mystical magic side in children's books as well. I am going to tell my daughter to read this. There is a message in the story too! Like that moondog!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute idea, but the story seemed a little awkward. It was overly detailed in some parts, like the list of people afraid to visit Miss Mingham, but skimmed past key details, like how and when the dogs change.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our girls enjoyed this sweet, but odd story about a dog named Angel who becomes a bit wild during a full moon. It's a fun story to read at Halloween.

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in celebration of International Children's Book Day!

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice Hoffman has a children's book?! I didn't know! What kind of fan am I?! This was a cute story with great illustrations. The boys thought it was a bit long.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful book to share with my grandchild. We both love it very, very much!

[Karen GoatKeeper · Rating 3 out of 5]

The dog is cute. The story has big holes in it. The holes may not be so noticeable to a young child busier with the pictures and events. The premise is different.

[elissa]

Not at either of my local libraries, but I'd love to read it.