Authors: Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko
Genre: fantasy (ish)
Similar books: Duet by Elise Broach
Horace and Bunwinkle by P J Gardner
Rating:
Summary (provided by publisher): Dogtown is a shelter for stray dogs, misbehaving dogs, and discarded robot dogs, whose owners have outgrown them.
Chance, a real dog, has been in Dogtown since her owners unwittingly left her with irresponsible dog-sitters who skipped town.
Metal Head is a robot dog who dreams of being back in a real home.
And Mouse is a mouse who has the run of Dogtown, pilfering kibble, and performing clever feats to protect the dogs he loves.
When Chance and Metal Head embark on an adventure to find their forever homes, there is danger, cheese sandwiches, a charging station, and some unexpected kindnesses along the way.
My opinion: Applegate's sensitive portrayal of animals and Choldenko's layered approach to atypical characters merge well in this story. Their styles work well together, telling a frank but sensitive tale. This is a shelter dog story, so there is straightforward talk of abandonment, longing, and ultimately of dogs being put down. The characters are strong and the plot is clear. It is a strong example of the dog narrative.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
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