Calvin Coconut: Dog Heaven

Calvin Coconut #3

by Graham Salisbury

What do you want so badly that you can taste it—and can you persuade someone to give it to you? That’s the subject of a writing assignment Calvin’s fourth-grade teacher, Mr. Purdy, gives the class. Calvin wants a dog! He reads what he’s written to his mom to see just how persuasive he can be. No way, Mom Stella, their babysitter, might be allergic, and Calvin is too irresponsible to care for a pet.

Luckily, Mom’s boyfriend, Ledward, is on Calvin’s side. He takes Calvin to a place he calls dog heaven. There Calvin meets the dog of his dreams—Streak. Now Calvin’s got to convince Mom he’s dog-responsible, because he and Streak belong together!

Genres: Fiction, Middle Grade, Chapter Books, Childrens, 2nd Grade

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Graham Salisbury comes from a 100-year line of newspapermen, all associated with Hawaii's morning paper, the Honolulu Advertiser. Although a career as a newsman could have been possible, Salisbury chose to imagine rather than report. "I enjoy writing about characters who might have been. To me, exploring fictional themes, situations, and lives is a quietly exhilarating experience. There are times when completely unexpected happenings take place as my fingertips walk the keyboard, things that make me laugh or get all choked up or even amaze me."
Salisbury's drive to write about the emotional journey that kids must take to become adults in a challenging and complicated world is evident throughout his work. Says the author: "I've thought a lot about what my job is, or should be as an author of books for young readers. I don't write to teach, preach, lecture, or criticize, but to explore. And if my stories show characters choosing certain life options, and the possible consequences of having chosen those options, then I will have done something worthwhile."

His books -- Eyes of the Emperor, Blue Skin of the Sea, Under the Blood-Red Sun, Shark Bait, Jungle Dogs, Lord of the Deep, Island Boyz and his short stories, too -- have been celebrated widely with praise and distinguished awards. Graham Salisbury, winner of the PEN/Norma Klein Award, grew up on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii. Later, he graduated from California State University, Northridge, and received an MFA degree from Vermont College of Norwich University. In fact, he was a member of the founding faculty of Vermont College's highly successful MFA program in Writing for Children, now the Union Institute & University.

Other important things to know about this author: He worked as the skipper of a glass-bottom boat, as a deckhand on a deep-sea charter fishing boat, and as an Montessori elementary school teacher. His
rock-and-roll band, The Millennium, had a number one hit in the Philippines, which he composed. He once surfed with a shark, got stung by a Portuguese man-of-war (several times!), and swam for his life from a moray eel. Believe it or not, he didn't wear shoes until the sixth grade and never saw snow until he was nineteen. Graham Salisbury now lives with his family in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Pat Salvatini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calvin is given a persuasive writing assignment, What I Want So Badly I Can Taste It. He knows what he’ll write about because he knows what he wants, a pet dog. Just like he had when his dad was around. Now he just has to convince his mom that it is a good idea. Salisbury creates a likable character and introduces readers to a setting they may be unfamiliar with. Roger’s black-and-white illustrations are generously sprinkled throughout the book and add additional humor to the story. Some of the Hawaiian dialect interjected into the dialogue may be difficult for second language readers.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book, especially for boys. The cultural lilt to the Hawaiian speech is beautifully represented. The vibe of island life and the universal longings for a pet make this a splendid choice for older chapter or younger middle grade readers. Kid-friendly with plenty of humorous characters, yet breathing with real authenticity. I would definitely seek out more by tis author and absolutely hunt for the other books in the Calvin Coconut series.

[Checkthebook · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a member of that class of children' book with rough/gross talk. Others include Stink, Hank Zipzer, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Each parent would have to decide for themselves if they are comfortable.

[Misschenhouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. Cute series.

[Doris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Youth book about finding the right dog and convincing Mom to accept her.

[Avery Caracappa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book because it had a lot of detail. Also, it was very good because it didn't make me bored it made me want to read more.

[Ryan Myette · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is an ok book.
I can’t find more words.
I mean he just gets a dog.Basically the whole entire book.
So, I give a three star.

[Tibby]

I chose to review this one today because it fits with what’s going on at home right now. We may have gotten a dog, so this story suddenly resonates a lot more with me. Calvin is desperate for a dog, but his mom doesn’t want the responsibility and the friend living with them is allergic. Then Calvin meets Streak at the animal shelter and he’s just got to find a way to make this work.

Calvin is such a boy and these books would make great stories to hand to reluctant boy readers. They are surprisingly easy reads, but look very sophisticated with few pictures, normal-sized print, average feeling chapter length, and a fair number of pages. Perfect for those low readers in third and fourth grade and high readers in second.

Dog Heaven was actually not the first in the Calvin Coconut series, but it made perfect sense without having read any others. Calvin’s home life isn’t traditional, but whose home life is? His father appears to have left, they have a friend’s daughter living with them and his mother is dating someone. I think some of this is explained earlier in the series, but it was pretty easy to grasp. As a side note, I like seeing other family situations reflected where the parents aren’t dead (and wish I had seen more growing up in divorced family).

I was a little uncomfortable with Ledward, the mother’s boyfriend. I think he was meant to be native Hawaiian and he spoke with some kind of slightly stilted English. I suppose it’s possible people talk like that in Hawaii (I’ve never been), but it felt a little weird coming from a white author. Maybe I’m off about that, but maybe not. I just don’t know.

As I said, hand this one to reluctant boy readers and any reader who loves dogs. Also give it to any kids you know who are just dying to get a pet- be it a hamster, guinea pig or puppy.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Calvin Coconut is a great 3rd-5th grade series, starring a boy any kid can relate to, with a somewhat offbeat family that is, none the less, full of love, & a group of fun friends. The unique flavor of the books due to the location being in Hawaii makes them stand out, especially with the language & local customs (kids are going to have a fun time learning what cuttlefish are, & picturing kids actually liking to eat them). In this story, Calvin decides what he really needs in life is a dog, & he goes about trying to convince his reluctant mother that he should have one, with the help of her boyfriend Ledward. This is a fantastic topic for a book for kids of this age, & they will enjoy reading about his visits to the local Humane Society, which Ledward calls "Dog Heaven". A fun read.

[Kim Burean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice book about Calvin Coconut, a boy who lives in Hawaii. His teacher gives the class an assignment to think about the one thing they want so much they can taste it. Calvin wants a dog desperately, but his mom won't hear of it. His mom's boyfriend thinks that every boy should have a dog, and he takes Calvin to the Humane Society to just look at the dogs. Calvin falls in love with one and it inspires a very well received paper for his teacher. Calvin works on figuring out how to convince his mom to let him get the dog.

I would recommend this book to 3-5th graders. IIt's a nice story with enough excitement to keep kids interested. Calvin is a very relatable character that kids will root for.

[Maclean H]

I have NEVER seen a boy love his dog this much. This book is Exciting,humorous,action all of these discribe calvin Coconut Dog Heven. The best part about this book is that it is such a family book it is not belivible because it does not just focus on one person the whole time it spreads the discription. This book was so exciting I could not stop reading it because the author has such great thoghts about Calvin. I was excited when he he brushed his dogs teeth because we never brush our dogs teeth.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished this short early chapter book reading with the kids during silent reading time. It was ok, a JLG recommendation in the Calvin Coconut series. It was a realistic fiction story about Calvin who lives in Hawaii with his mom and sister. He wants a dog and when he gets a persuasive writing assignment at school, he tries it out at home on his mom to convince her he should get a dog. The humane society turns out to be dog heaven according to his mother's boyfriend.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graham Salisbury's YA novels have been favorites of mine for a long time. In this series he is doing something far lighter, but still with a feel for the real, grittier Hawaii that tourists seldom see. This is the best of the series so far, and you could hand it to a kid who hasn't read the first and they'd get hooked in immediately.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Salisbury's Calvin series are great contemporary books for the Beverly Cleary niche. Calvin is thoroughly likable as are his friends. The situations that Calvin finds himself in are ones that kids and that elusive group- boys- will relate to.
Recommended for the readers who are just becoming fluent and for families that want to trade chapters reading aloud.

[Miss · Rating 4 out of 5]

the review was written by:amber
this is a very good book if your a dog lover. In this book calvin has to do an essay on "what he wants so much he can tast it". You can find out what he wants in the middle of the story and figure out if he gets what he wants by the end.

[Ofilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calvin is just enjoyable no matter what he's up to. In this one he is pining for a dog and with the help of Ledward, his mom's boyfriend, he devises a plan to get one. Lots of great cultural references, silly antics and just good kid humor. A quick fun read.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calvin has a challenge to write an essay for his teacher, Mr. Purdy. He also gets attached to a dog at the Humane Society. Will he be allowed to keep it? How does the journey with the dog help with the essay?

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third in the series about Hawaiian 4th grader Calvin, his family, his schoolmates, and his community. Entertaining and interesting about Hawaiian life and Calvin's desire for a dog.

[Carol Wilcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one in a series. Kids who like STINK, but are not quite ready for Hank Zipzer or Wimpy Kid would probably also like this one.

[Jarod]

it was good

[Ms. Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story with lots of underlying stories. Makes me want to read other books in the series.

[Keanric Choy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was really good!