Poppy: A Heartwarming Middle Grade Story About a Misunderstood Pit Bull for Children (Ages 8-12)

American Dog #2

by Jennifer Li Shotz

From the #1 New York Times best-selling author of Max comes a heartwarming, middle grade story about a misunderstood rescue dog, Poppy, who finds kinship with an outcast girl on the coast of Northern California. Poppy is a dog with a problem. She has too much energy, and her elderly owner can keep her only if she can be trained. When twelve-year-old Hannah moves to the coast of Northern California, she thinks she can help turn this rambunctious puppy into the good dog she knows Poppy is. But Hannah realizes Poppy's reputation as a pit bull means she has to work even harder to prove that Poppy and dogs like her deserve a second chance. Will Hannah train Poppy into the perfect dog before it's too late?

Genres: Dogs

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2020

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and entertaining read about a young girl who doesn't fit in finding her place with a rambunctious puppy.
Harry Potter this isn't but I enjoyed it for what it is and young readers will love it.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!
Hannah feels totally out of place this summer. She’s moved with her large family from Michigan to California, and her old life and friends seem a million miles away. Unexpectedly, Hannah becomes involved with training her elderly neighbor’s very energetic puppy, a rescued pit bull named Poppy.
Hannah feels like she understands Poppy, because people shy away when they see she’s a pit bull.The birthmark that Hannah has had on her face her whole life causes people to look away from her, too. There are surprises, good and bad, as Hannah sets out to make Poppy into the best dog ever…
Oh, my, I would have worn these books out reading them as a kid! Great themes about friendship, responsibility, learning to accept oneself, and of course, dog-love, make these perfect for middle-grade readers. And for dog fans of any age!

[Joy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poppy, a pit bull, is a sweetie, but she needs training and exercise, and her owner is recovering from an operation and can't cope with her rescued dog, which she loves. However, Hannah who lives next door and recently moved to California from Michigan and has her own problems, volunteers to help so that Poppy won't have to be returned to the shelter.

Hannah misses her friends, who knew and accepted her; the birthmark on her face bothers some people, so Hannah withdraws and wishes she could go back. Her family is supportive, but her parents are busy with work and their other children, especially the twins. Her mother tries to help Hannah find new friends, but they have their own friends--and surfing.

The dog training background is well done; I remember the training classes I took my dogs to--starting with puppy kindergarten--and I love the trainer. Hannah is sometimes on the verge of quitting--training requires patience and perseverance--but she wants to save Poppy. She makes some connections finally with other girls and their dogs, but there are distressing complications--and how can she fit in with the surfing crowd?

This is a good book and helpful for kids wanting to fit in. Moving to a new home and school (they're on summer vacation, btw, which helps) is hard. I know pit bulls' reputation, but they and all dogs, especially big dogs, need training--and good fences, to say the least--and socialization. The notes at the end are good, and I'm glad that the author recommends looking for a dog at shelters. My dogs have come from breeders and shelters, and I love them all.

Note: The pit bulls I've known were all sweeties, though I have never owned one, but I had a boarding kennel for years and have known dogs and cats with various temperaments... I am aware of the dangers, especially if dogs run in packs. And I know about owners who want their dogs to be aggressive and give them names like Killer. I highly recommend this book with all its insights.

I also recommend The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption
by Jim Gorant.

[Merrilyn Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the sweetest stories I have read all year. Hannah, a rising sixth-grader, and her family have just moved from Michigan to California. She has a purple birthmark that covers part of her face and is struggling to be brave and not be self-conscious of it. Her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Gilly, has recently come out of the hospital and is convalescing from a broken hip. Her new adoptee, a sixth-month-old pit bull, Poppy, is full of energy and nearly pulls Mrs. Gilly over when they take walks. Hannah takes on Poppy's training by attending classes. Hannah's mother is eager for Hannah to make friends with Sophia, a neighbor who will be in Hannah's class. Mrs. Gilly's granddaughter comes to visit for a week. All of these social events catapult Hannah into a world of making friends and overcoming challenges. One great part of living in California by the beach is that Hannah learns to surf and so does...you'll have to read the book to find out! The characters are well-rounded, opportunities for readers to empathize with Hannah abound. The story charges right along with many observations into the mind of a sixth-grade girl. Background information about pit bulls is in the afterword.

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannah is having a rough summer adjusting to her family’s move from the mid-west to sunny California. Her facial birthmark makes it hard for her to open up to new friends and experiences. She feels judged for something she can’t change or hide. When her neighbor next door has a medical emergency that leaves her unable to train and care for her new rescue puppy, a pit bull mix. Just like Hannah, Poppy can’t hide her breed which makes her scary to those who judge all dogs like her dangerous. By helping Poppy be the best dog she can be, Hannah learns how to help herself as well.

This high interest middle grade chapter book is part of the American Dog series which features stories about rescue dogs and the children who love them. The themes of friendship, overcoming adversity, and animal rescue will resonate with middle school age readers. Hannah’s work with Poppy is inspiring and fits well with learning about resiliency and growth mindset.

I would recommend this book for purchase by any school or public library.

This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.

[Jeannine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great middle grade story and even fun for an adult quick read. I’m a dog trainer and pit bull rescuer and was delighted to read how accurate the author is on both topics. I was tickled when the exact words that I use in my first session of a beginning dog training class were echoed in the book in Poppy’s first dog training class. I laughed so hard that I almost cried.
I’ve read two of these books so far and I’m impressed with how well integrated the theme is in the plot. Even though I hate to see the poor characters struggle through the nicely set up conflict, the endings of the stories that I’ve read are a well-deserved natural conclusion for the characters and a feel-good finale for the reader.

[Rebekah Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, well written story about a girl with a noticeable birthmark and a sweet pit bull puppy. I enjoyed Hannah and her relationship with Poppy. I liked that her family was involved and she wasn’t disrespectful to her parents. The parts about training Poppy were well done without being boring. This story had some fun moments, some exciting moments, and some sweet moments.

There was one tine the Lord’s name was used in a wrong way.
This is not a Christian book, so there was no mention of prayer, church, or Bible reading.

[Brianna F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

[Marguerite · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and heartwarming read, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Courtenay · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet story of how a relationship with a dog can teach life lessons and change things for the better.