Author: Michael Gerard Bauer
Every year books by Australian authors compete for the “best book” award during Australian Children’s Book Week. The 2011 winners were announced on Friday 19th August. “Just a Dog” came in second in the Younger Readers Book of the Year section.
“Just a Dog” is the story of a pup that came to be more than a dog in ten year old Corey’s family. Corey had the choice of the litter when the family went to the kennel for a new puppy. The litter was a “real mixed bag”. They were supposed to be Dalmatians, but Uncle Gavin forgot to shut the kennel door one night.
Corey chooses the mostly white pup. He grows to be a big, gangly Dalmatian-and-something cross. It is Corey who tells of the family’s ups and downs, as well as the joys and love that come to his family because of Mr Mosely. Moe is such a great dog-character! Corey doesn't entirely understand everything that's going on in his family, but he does, at the heart of it, understand Family. Corey’s stories of Mr Mosely give a gentle but insightful picture of this suburban family and of the journey of self discovery that Corey is on.
Note: Keep a box of tissues handy.
Reviewed by Gayle Davidson
Odell Learning Resources Centre
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