Love That Dog

By Sharon Creech

Book #1 in the Jack series

A boy discovers his voice through poetry, guided by a teacher and a dog.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 48,985 ratings

112 pages· 3,916 words· Est. 33 min read

$9.99Save 4%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Jack, a reluctant poet, finds himself trapped in a world of poetry assignments he dreads. But with the persistent encouragement of his teacher, Miss Stretchberry, and the unexpected inspiration from a dog named Sky, Jack's empty pages begin to fill with his unique voice. As he navigates his initial resistance, Jack uncovers the power of words and the stories he holds within. Can he embrace this newfound expression, or will he remain silent? Discover the transformative journey of a boy who learns that poetry isn't just for girls—it's for anyone with something to say.

From the publisher

The Newbery Medal-winning author of Walk Two Moons, Sharon Creech, brings readers a story with enormous heart. This middle grade book is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. It’s a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom.Love That Dog shows how one boy named Jack finds his voice with the help of a teacher, a pencil, some yellow paper, and of course, a dog. Written as a series of free-verse poems from Jack’s point of view, and with classic poetry included in the back matter, this novel is perfect for kids and teachers, too.Jack hates poetry. Only girls write it and every time he tries to, his brain feels empty. But his teacher, Miss Stretchberry, won’t stop giving her class poetry assignments–and Jack can’t avoid them. But then something amazing happens. The more he writes, the more he learns that he does have something to say.I guess it doeslook like a poemwhen you see ittyped uplike that.–Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

At a glance