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blissbubbley's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved this book and even though there were a lot of tears, the writing and characters were beautiful. It’s such a beautiful story that you’ll want to read over and over again. I think this book is ideal for teenagers and adults also, don’t be fooled by the many pages the book has – the print is very spaced out. I’ll admit I was a bit surprised by how big the book was, even though once you’ve started reading it will be impossible to stop.
melissapalmer404's review
4.0
Book #17 Read in 2014
A Dog Called Homeless by Sarah Lean (YA)
This was a cute book for elementary children....though it had a lot going on in it. Cally's mother is killed in a car accident; Cally's father cannot bear to talk about his wife and how he misses her. Cally then stops talking at all, communicating through nods and gestures and, with her new friend Sam, through sign language. Cally connects with a stray dog she named Homeless, and Sam and his mother. Eventually Cally finds her voice and connects all of these players in ways that might surprise readers.
As for this book, there were many heavy plot points for a book geared towards readers of such a young age. There was the death of Cally's mother, disabilities, homelessness and other issues that could make this need to be a read aloud book so that discussion of these topics could happen. Overall, it was a good, quick read.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
A Dog Called Homeless by Sarah Lean (YA)
This was a cute book for elementary children....though it had a lot going on in it. Cally's mother is killed in a car accident; Cally's father cannot bear to talk about his wife and how he misses her. Cally then stops talking at all, communicating through nods and gestures and, with her new friend Sam, through sign language. Cally connects with a stray dog she named Homeless, and Sam and his mother. Eventually Cally finds her voice and connects all of these players in ways that might surprise readers.
As for this book, there were many heavy plot points for a book geared towards readers of such a young age. There was the death of Cally's mother, disabilities, homelessness and other issues that could make this need to be a read aloud book so that discussion of these topics could happen. Overall, it was a good, quick read.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
alhawk's review
5.0
Genre: Mystery
Grade Level: 4-6
I wasn't aware that a novel could have me in tears from pretty much the beginning to the end, but I was wrong. The realness of what Cally goes through and how she copes is something that I feel I rarely see in children's novels, and though sad, it is very refreshing.
Grade Level: 4-6
I wasn't aware that a novel could have me in tears from pretty much the beginning to the end, but I was wrong. The realness of what Cally goes through and how she copes is something that I feel I rarely see in children's novels, and though sad, it is very refreshing.
aotora's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
You sometimes find a hidden gem that stays with you after you read it. And this was that book for me.
This book hit so close to home to me.
So when the main character, Cally loses her mom traumatically her father stops speaking about her and when she tells him that she can see her on her mother's death anniversery he tells her that she should stop because she is upsetting people. So she stops speaking for an entire month.
She meets this boy, Sam - and I loved their friendship since she cannot talk and he cannot hear or see so they use a different language to communicate. And she also meets Jed, a young man that is connected to her mother. He brings her a dog her mother bought for her on the day that she died- and that ending made me tear up so badly. I didn't expect for the book to go that way but it was certainly shocking and sad to read that he was with her before she died and that she gave him gifts for her husband and daughter and he'd been searching for them all this time.
This is such a heartwarming story about love and grief and dealing with grief, I think that every parent should read it, but they should especially read it if they lost their partner and want to talk to their kids about grief and losing a parent.
This book hit so close to home to me.
So when the main character, Cally loses her mom traumatically her father stops speaking about her and when she tells him that she can see her on her mother's death anniversery he tells her that she should stop because she is upsetting people. So she stops speaking for an entire month.
She meets this boy, Sam - and I loved their friendship since she cannot talk and he cannot hear or see so they use a different language to communicate. And she also meets Jed, a young man that is connected to her mother. He brings her a dog her mother bought for her on the day that she died- and that ending made me tear up so badly. I didn't expect for the book to go that way but it was certainly shocking and sad to read that he was with her before she died and that she gave him gifts for her husband and daughter and he'd been searching for them all this time.
This is such a heartwarming story about love and grief and dealing with grief, I think that every parent should read it, but they should especially read it if they lost their partner and want to talk to their kids about grief and losing a parent.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
5.0
What a heartprint book. I knew by page 6 I wanted to jump in and help Cally. Or put my arms around her and hug her. Sarah Lean did a great job crafting the characters of Cally and Sam. What a gem.
heisereads's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful story of hope, family, and loss. It's an easy middle grade read with quite a bit of depth. Lovely writing and engaging characters. This should be on your TBR list for sure.
amysreading_nook's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Number: 2
Inspiration: Waterstones impulse purchase
Rating: *****
Review: I have previously read The Good Bear by Sarah Lean and absolutely loved it so whilst browsing Waterstones after Christmas, I saw this one and the name of the book alone really intrigued me.
I loved this book. A real exploration of grief and loss in children and how everybody deals with things differently. It was a real heartwarming book and I loved the friendship that developed between Cally and Sam. It very almost made me cry…
Bookshelf: firmly remaining on the shelf
Inspiration: Waterstones impulse purchase
Rating: *****
Review: I have previously read The Good Bear by Sarah Lean and absolutely loved it so whilst browsing Waterstones after Christmas, I saw this one and the name of the book alone really intrigued me.
I loved this book. A real exploration of grief and loss in children and how everybody deals with things differently. It was a real heartwarming book and I loved the friendship that developed between Cally and Sam. It very almost made me cry…
Bookshelf: firmly remaining on the shelf
ashleigh_reads_'s review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0