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Will this dalmation mischief-maker find a home before Halloween?

Charles and Lizzie Peterson have a special talent when it comes to taking care of animals and somehow there always seems to be another dog who needs their help! So it is no surprise that Lizzie offers to lend a hand when an overly energetic Dalmatian is left on their porch. But after Cody destroys Lizzie's Halloween costume she's not certain she can convince the perfect owner to adopt him. Will this pup's curious teeth cost him a home?

80 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2009

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702 people want to read

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Ellen Miles

175 books219 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Eydie Aremburg.
28 reviews
July 6, 2015
Category: Easy Reader

Genre: Fiction (Animal Stories)

Sub-genre: Realistic Fiction

Interest Level: Grade 2-5

Reading Level: Lexile 640

Brief description: The Peterson family is a foster home to dogs until a permanent home is found for them.

Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre(s) and sub-genre and discuss how they appear in your book: Two characteristics of an easy reader are 1) longer sentences and 2) more formal and descriptive language. Puppy Place has longer sentences and more formal and descriptive language which increases the reader’s independence: "Lizzi knew her dad's record was twenty-one, but she cheered along with everyone else." (Cody, 37). A characteristic of realistic fiction is that the characters seem real and the reader can relate to him/her. This is true in Cody. Through an omniscient narrator, the reader has a deeper knowledge of the people in the story. These thoughts and feelings are similar to what many young readers may have or have had at some time in their lives.

In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience?: “The Puppy Place” series serves its audience of second through fifth graders by creating characters that are believable and by having the story lines revolve around dogs which many children like. Those that read and enjoy one book often continue to read the other books in the series.

(I could not find any awards or professional reviews for this title.)
Profile Image for Twyla.
1,766 reviews61 followers
February 26, 2014
My favorite part was when cody got a good home at the fire department. The worst part was when cody was left in Sammy's yard. my favorite character was gunnar because he was a good fire dog and was going to show cody how to act better. There was no worst character.
This book took place near halloween. The characters were Lizzie Peterson, Charles Peterson, Sammy, Maria, Maria's mom, Sammy's mom, Lizzie's dad, Lizzie's mom, Cody, Gunnar, Simba, Buddy, the firefighters, Tim Stone, Cheryl Stone, the Bean, Ms. Dobbins. The main characters were Lizzie Peterson, Charles Peterson, Buddy, Cody, and the Stones. Auryn 10 years old.
2014
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Becky Loader.
2,204 reviews28 followers
November 2, 2021
Ellen Miles has written a series of books about the Peterson family, who fosters puppies before finding them furever homes. She includes many different breeds in the series, which is written for young readers. One title is about a Dalmatian named Cody.
Cody is left tied to the apple tree at the house next door to the Peterson family. A letter is addressed: "To the people who take care of puppies." The energetic puppy has proven to be too much for his owners. Led by the daughter, Lizzie, the Peterson family starts to train Cody.
The Peterson family is depicted as people who understand the necessity to socialize and to train a dog from puppyhood, and to have patience as a young dog learns. The end results show that time and patience pays off and that dogs can become very important parts of a family.
October 16, 2014
Rufff Rufff cody please be quieter. Class we are going the city fire department. welcome to the city fire department class. Gunnar move we have to go. Ok a puppy gets left at the Petersons home so the mom is trying to find the pup a home. Gunnar at the city fire department has gone death what are they going to do. Ms. Peterson Walked the dog to the fire department and when they got there every one gathered around and was giving him great love.What will happen next The reason I like this book I help at are fire department and I like dogs. JM
18 reviews1 follower
October 20, 2015
In the Puppy Place, where every puppy finds a home, Charles and Lizzie love taking and caring for dogs. They have one of their own named Buddy but will help a puppy whenever in need. An over energetic Dalmatian is left on their porch and of course Lizzie wants to help the puppy. Lizzie is not sure she is going to be able to find a owner to adopt this pup after she realizes how energetic he really is. He destroyed Lizzie halloween costume, barks, and pulls on the leash. Lizzie found the dog, Cody, a perfect home at the fire station her dad works at.
4 reviews
August 5, 2016
I....LLLOOOVVVEEEDD IIITTTT!!!!!I LOVE PUPPIES SO MUCH THIS WAS AN AWESOME BOOK!
Profile Image for Kay.
1,865 reviews14 followers
May 23, 2021
Overall, a very cute book in what I'm sure is a very cute series. (This is my first Puppy Place & it was totally fine for me to read out of order.) I'm obviously not the intended audience, so I can't say if I would have liked it or not as a kid... but I did like it enough as an adult.
There were some good puppy-raising tips sprinkled throughout & of course we all love a happy ending where a puppy finds its perfect Fureverhome.

You can definitely tell this book was written in the early 2000s where "gypsy" and "hobo" were acceptable Halloween costumes for Lizzie (yikes!). But everything is a good learning opportunity for parents to discuss these things with their kids as they read.

One stand-out part of the book, which I thought was great, was that Lizzie has a hard time keeping her (unsolicited) opinions to herself. It's something her friends and family point out to her and something she actively is trying to work on... When confronted by Cody's "old owners", Lizzie speaks her mind in front of these two adult strangers and her parents, and she raises a super important point about puppy ownership and responsibility and being ready for puppy behaviors (raising a puppy is really hard!). She used her voice and speaks up (unsolicited) at a time where it was needed & contributed positively to an important conversation.
I think there's a really important lesson learned here.

I would recommend this book to kids but be prepared they will probably want a puppy or two or three. lol.
Profile Image for Teena in Toronto.
2,462 reviews79 followers
January 7, 2023
Lizzie and her younger brother, Charles, are in elementary school. They have a puppy named Buddy plus foster dogs and help them find homes.

 Their neighbour brings over a pup that was mistakenly tied to her tree and meant for the Petersons so they could find a home for him. Cody is a Dalmatian puppy and a note said he is too hyper and sheds too much. After Lizzie trains him to settle down and open commands, she finds him the perfect home.

Though this book is a quick read and directed at elementary-aged children, I found it entertaining. There is a learning experience and a puppy tip at the end. It is written in third person perspective and first person from Cody's point of view. It is the thirteenth in the Puppy Place series, which currently has 64 books in the series, and works as a stand alone.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2023/01...
Profile Image for Julian.
8 reviews
October 7, 2015
This book was pretty good, its about this girl named Lizzie and her brother named Charles. One day someone drops off this Dalmatian named Cody. Throughout the story both Lizzie and Charles have to take care of Cody and find him a new home. I think that this book is great for a grade school student. I would recommend this book to someone who loves animals and aren't to old.
Profile Image for Christine.
27 reviews
April 23, 2013
I enjoy all of Ellen Miles puppy place books they are fun and easy to read. There about a family who fosters puppy's, the try and find the owners and so they have a mystery to solve. It's a very well written book.
Profile Image for Lane Deshazer.
3 reviews
January 2, 2017
I like that Cody was a spotted dog. Cody was a cute dog. At the end, the owner sold Cody, but he ended up being fine.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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