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A Dog of My Own
A boy and his rent-a-dog... “The story blends heartwarming moments and action beautifully in a way that will make children of any age enjoy the book.” Readers’ Favorite 5★ review "Sweetly written and packed full of adventure. Children will love it, particularly if they love dogs!" The Wishing Shelf 11-year-old Jonas Ridley loves dogs. Unfortunately, his mother won’t let him have one of his own. But one Christmas, Jonas gets the chance to RENT a dog, and not just any dog but Rascal, the famous four-legged star of Jonas’s favorite movie, Canine Commando! Jonas and Rascal have a blast and really bond together, even performing in the school talent show. But when the movie studio has to take Rascal back, Jonas hatches a movie-like plan and becomes a real-life secret agent to rescue Rascal! If A Dog’s Purpose touched your heart, you'll love A Dog of My Own. This middle grade book is a sweet yet exciting adventure full of action and heartwarming moments for any reader – children, tweens, teens or readers of any age. This fun ‘boy and his dog’ story is the first in a series, so if you like it, there's more to come! (Don't forget to look for the surprise after Chapter 1!)
99 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2017
200 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Richard Clark
13 books17 followersRichard Clark has written twelve middle grade and chapter books, one of which, My Best Friend Is a Secret Agent, was published worldwide by Wattpad Books in September, 2021, and its sequel will be published worldwide in the spring of 2023.
Richard has worked extensively as a screenwriter and story editor, both in Toronto and Los Angeles. His credits include writing or story-editing over 150 produced TV scripts for shows broadcast on the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, BBC, Netflix, CBC, CTV and many other networks around the world. He’s also developed shows for many production companies, written five TV movies for Showtime Networks and Lifetime Network, optioned several feature screenplays in Los Angeles, and worked as a director and editor. In 2010 he was nominated for both a Gemini Award (Canadian Emmy) and a Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriting Award, and in 2012 another WGC award.
In addition, Richard has taught screenwriting at Humber College and Sheridan College in Toronto.
Richard lives in Oakville, Ontario, with his wife and their 15-year-old twins… and he’s lived to tell the tale.
Richard has worked extensively as a screenwriter and story editor, both in Toronto and Los Angeles. His credits include writing or story-editing over 150 produced TV scripts for shows broadcast on the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, BBC, Netflix, CBC, CTV and many other networks around the world. He’s also developed shows for many production companies, written five TV movies for Showtime Networks and Lifetime Network, optioned several feature screenplays in Los Angeles, and worked as a director and editor. In 2010 he was nominated for both a Gemini Award (Canadian Emmy) and a Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriting Award, and in 2012 another WGC award.
In addition, Richard has taught screenwriting at Humber College and Sheridan College in Toronto.
Richard lives in Oakville, Ontario, with his wife and their 15-year-old twins… and he’s lived to tell the tale.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 19, 2023
A Dog of My Own is a quick-paced, middle-school kids’ book by Richard Clark. The novella-length story is about an 11-year-old boy that loves dogs but is not allowed to own one by his parents, because they feel owning a dog would be too much of a financial drain. Yet, during one Christmas when some family friends stay over, Jonas Ridley not only gets to temporarily take care of a dog, but he takes care of a movie-star dog.
Rascal is an extensively trained dog that stars in his own movie series called Canine Commando. Although the situation is supposed to be temporary, Jonas attempts to contrive a way of making it permanent. The story is relatively contrived, but fun, and worthy of a read. This is a middle-school appropriate read.
Rascal is an extensively trained dog that stars in his own movie series called Canine Commando. Although the situation is supposed to be temporary, Jonas attempts to contrive a way of making it permanent. The story is relatively contrived, but fun, and worthy of a read. This is a middle-school appropriate read.
November 23, 2020
Richard Clark has made yet another super cute novel!
This time around Jonas wants a dog, and by luck and chance he gets one! I thought the idea behind this story was super unique and I had never thought much about renting a dog before. It was a silly topic that I would have loved to read as a kid.
The book was an easy enough read, and would definitely be a perfect fit for any middle grade reader (or a story to read to younger kids). Who doesn't want to rent a dog who's super famous? I also think the adventures and shenanigans that Jonas goes on is epic and the perfect plot for this book!
The pacing of this book was awesome and it felt like the perfect length. I couldn't see any real cons other than I want more from this author and soon! His characters are believable and lovable, and his stories are truly unique. I don't know how Richard gets inside the head of a kid, but he manages to make it extremely realistic. It almost feels like a kid is behind this book (with the expertise of a great writer and awesome editor). Jonas is perfectly flawed (like any kid) and full of creativity and fun!
Even the ending was super cute and sweet! I kind of wish there were more adventures for Jonas, Chloe and Rascal on the way!
Five out of five stars! What a treasure!
This time around Jonas wants a dog, and by luck and chance he gets one! I thought the idea behind this story was super unique and I had never thought much about renting a dog before. It was a silly topic that I would have loved to read as a kid.
The book was an easy enough read, and would definitely be a perfect fit for any middle grade reader (or a story to read to younger kids). Who doesn't want to rent a dog who's super famous? I also think the adventures and shenanigans that Jonas goes on is epic and the perfect plot for this book!
The pacing of this book was awesome and it felt like the perfect length. I couldn't see any real cons other than I want more from this author and soon! His characters are believable and lovable, and his stories are truly unique. I don't know how Richard gets inside the head of a kid, but he manages to make it extremely realistic. It almost feels like a kid is behind this book (with the expertise of a great writer and awesome editor). Jonas is perfectly flawed (like any kid) and full of creativity and fun!
Even the ending was super cute and sweet! I kind of wish there were more adventures for Jonas, Chloe and Rascal on the way!
Five out of five stars! What a treasure!
August 25, 2017
A WISHING SHELF BOOK REVIEW
24th August, 2017
TITLE: A Dog of My Own
AUTHOR: Richard Clark
Star Rating: 4
CATCHY QUOTE
‘Sweetly written and packed full of adventure. Children will love it, particularly if the love dogs!’ The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
A Dog of My Own by Richard Clark is a wonderfully sweet adventure novel for 9 to 12 year old boys and girls. Well-written with a good balance of descriptive prose and speech, it follows a young boy called Jonas who is determined to get back a dog – even if he must dognap him!
The most striking element with this novel is how well Richard Clark knows his young readers. As with all his books, he’s excellent at balancing pace with character development; and he knows how important it is to populate his story with characters his young readership will cheer on all the way to the exciting ending. Jonas, for example, is the perfect hero for a story like this: he’s loyal, trustworthy and a little bit reckless. Perfect!
Who do I recommend this book to? Well, most children aged 8 – 12 would, I think, enjoy it. Any child who enjoys the whimsical books Roald Dahl, or the character-driven books of Jacqueline Wilson will get a lot from this over-the-top, fantastically fun adventure.
Editing 10/10
Writing Style 9/10
Content 9/10
Cover 8/10
Sum It Up In Three Keywords: Adventure/Fast-paced/Tons of Fun
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
24th August, 2017
TITLE: A Dog of My Own
AUTHOR: Richard Clark
Star Rating: 4
CATCHY QUOTE
‘Sweetly written and packed full of adventure. Children will love it, particularly if the love dogs!’ The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
A Dog of My Own by Richard Clark is a wonderfully sweet adventure novel for 9 to 12 year old boys and girls. Well-written with a good balance of descriptive prose and speech, it follows a young boy called Jonas who is determined to get back a dog – even if he must dognap him!
The most striking element with this novel is how well Richard Clark knows his young readers. As with all his books, he’s excellent at balancing pace with character development; and he knows how important it is to populate his story with characters his young readership will cheer on all the way to the exciting ending. Jonas, for example, is the perfect hero for a story like this: he’s loyal, trustworthy and a little bit reckless. Perfect!
Who do I recommend this book to? Well, most children aged 8 – 12 would, I think, enjoy it. Any child who enjoys the whimsical books Roald Dahl, or the character-driven books of Jacqueline Wilson will get a lot from this over-the-top, fantastically fun adventure.
Editing 10/10
Writing Style 9/10
Content 9/10
Cover 8/10
Sum It Up In Three Keywords: Adventure/Fast-paced/Tons of Fun
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
January 5, 2022
It’s a great story of a boy who dreamed of owning a dog one day.
August 6, 2018
The book is very good
September 17, 2018
Good for a tween
I chose the rating because it's a bit young for me. I thought the book was something else but I am sure a tween would enjoy reading the adventure very much.
I chose the rating because it's a bit young for me. I thought the book was something else but I am sure a tween would enjoy reading the adventure very much.
November 26, 2018
Nice.
This is a cute and interesting novella. I enjoyed it very much because of its easy pace, clever plot, and dogs!
This is a cute and interesting novella. I enjoyed it very much because of its easy pace, clever plot, and dogs!
July 17, 2019
It is so good
April 13, 2020
This book is very good. I would recommend this book to people who are dog lovers and to people who want to bring a little fun into their day.
April 3, 2021
If you are a fellow dog lover you will love this.
May 10, 2021
Short and sweet. Decided to read it before my ten year old reads it. He'll enjoy it!
Read
August 3, 2022Not exactly realistic, but it is funny.
June 9, 2019
Good book
It is a good book.
Would like more like this one.
I would like to have a dog like Rascal.
It is a good book.
Would like more like this one.
I would like to have a dog like Rascal.
January 30, 2023
This is a good book and an excellent story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews