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66th out of 137 books
—
674 voters
Little Dog, Lost
by
Marion Dane Bauer (Goodreads Author),
Jennifer A. Bell
FromNewbery Honoree Marion Dane Bauer comes the tale of a boy who needs a dog, and a dog who needs a boy—a match made in heaven, if only the two can meet.Mark is a boy who needs a dog. But he can’t get his mom on board with his plan.
Buddy is a dog who needs a boy. Buddy has an owner already, but not one who understands the kind of love and care—the “something more”—a dog...more
Buddy is a dog who needs a boy. Buddy has an owner already, but not one who understands the kind of love and care—the “something more”—a dog...more
Hardcover, 208 pages
Published
May 1st 2012
by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
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Buddy is ecstatically happy with her boy. He throws her ball, chases her and gives her kisses. But one day her boy is very sad and they leave their house with lots of stuff in the car. Buddy is left with a little old lady who's nice enough but is not her boy.
Buddy is not happy in her new home. No one plays with her or scratches her ear. And she gets yelled at a lot. Buddy breaks out of her new home and goes looking for her boy.
In the meantime, Mark, the mayor's son, has been bugging and bugging...more
Buddy is not happy in her new home. No one plays with her or scratches her ear. And she gets yelled at a lot. Buddy breaks out of her new home and goes looking for her boy.
In the meantime, Mark, the mayor's son, has been bugging and bugging...more
To start with, I only picked this book up at the library because the cover illustration caught my eye, and I vaguely recalled reading Bauer's book Runt and thinking it was all right. I was rushing and skimmed the summary on the cover and checked it out with hardly a flip through the pages. Somehow I failed to notice it was written in verse.
I like a lot of poetry, but thinking about it, there isn't a lot of free verse stuff I like? And what I do like tends to be short poems. Most of the time the...more
I like a lot of poetry, but thinking about it, there isn't a lot of free verse stuff I like? And what I do like tends to be short poems. Most of the time the...more
Buddy is a little black dog with four brown paws and a brown mask. She has a ruffle of fur beneath her whip of a tail and ears like airplane wings that droop just so at the tips. Her coat is satiny smooth. She used to have a boy who loved her and took care of her, but now she is a lost little dog who only hears “Hey you!” and “Shoo!”
Mark is a boy who lives with his mom, the mayor of Erthly. He has no dad so mostly he is home alone. He is cared for and planned for but alone. He wishes for a dog -...more
Mark is a boy who lives with his mom, the mayor of Erthly. He has no dad so mostly he is home alone. He is cared for and planned for but alone. He wishes for a dog -...more
Mark has always wanted a dog, but his overworked, single mother has always said "NO!" very firmly. He decides that since he can't have a dog, he should get the town where he lives (and where his mother is mayor) to put in a dog park so that at least the dogs he knows are happy. At the same time, Buddy the dog is left with a woman in town by his loving boy who has to move to the city. While the woman takes care of his needs, she doesn't understand Buddy, who know that her boy is out there somewhe...more
Review of an advance copy:
In a lot of ways, this is a fairly typical dog book. Boy (Mark) desperately needs a dog. Dog (Buddy) desperately needs a boy. However, the telling of the story is quite lovely and what makes this stand out from other dog books. Buddy has lost her boy when his family moves to the city in an apartment which doesn't allow pets. Buddy is left with a friend, a well-meaning woman who doesn't understand dogs. But Mark understands dogs. He has understood them forever, and even...more
In a lot of ways, this is a fairly typical dog book. Boy (Mark) desperately needs a dog. Dog (Buddy) desperately needs a boy. However, the telling of the story is quite lovely and what makes this stand out from other dog books. Buddy has lost her boy when his family moves to the city in an apartment which doesn't allow pets. Buddy is left with a friend, a well-meaning woman who doesn't understand dogs. But Mark understands dogs. He has understood them forever, and even...more
"But nothing,
not even the sweetest love,
can be certain
of lasting
forever."
―Little Dog, Lost, P. 3
What does longing feel like? What makes up the urge we recognize within ourselves as longing, both when it's gentle, sweet, a soft tug on our hearts in the direction we feel inclined to go, and also when its desperation is darker and stronger, a storm of unstable inner intensity that will not be quieted by anything short of receiving the object of our longing, the catalyst behind the swirling...more
4th, 5th, 6th, 3rd I loved reading this book! The style of Bauer's writing gets the reader straight to the emotions swirling through the characters' lives. Mark longs for a dog-having no father, siblings or cousins close enough to count. Buddy, the dog with "brown paws and a brown mask and a sweet ruffle of fur on her bum just beneath her black whip of a tail," has been given away to a woman (that knows nothing about dogs), after her boy had to move to the city. And Mr. Larue who lives alone in...more
Jan 29, 2013
Barbara
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
animals,
bedtime-stories,
bullies,
community,
families,
friendship,
jobs,
ncbla2013,
names,
novels-in-verse,
teachers
When Buddy's family finds her a home since they are moving to an apartment and can't have a dog, she misses her boy a great deal. To add to her misery, her new owner seems to know little about how to take care of a dog. Buddy digs a hole under the fence that surrounds the yard, and ends up hanging out on the street. But there's another boy in her small town, a boy named Mark, who is desperately seeking an animal companion, and Buddy just might fill the bill. This heart-tugging story describes th...more
Little Dog, Lost is written in prose. A dog is living in the country with her owners. She is loved and well cared for until the family has to move to the city. They leave her with an older woman in a small town who doesn’t really like dogs or know how to care for them. Meanwhile, Mark, a boy in town has always wanted a dog. His mother is afraid of dogs and will not allow him to own one. The dog digs his way under the fence and goes looking for his old owner. Mark decides to go to the town counci...more
Anyone who has ever desperately wanted a dog will identify with Mark, the protagonist in Marion Dane Bauer’s sweet novel written in verse. Mark is an only child who has wanted a dog for as long as he can remember, but his mother has always refused his request telling him that “Puppies piddle,” and “Puppies chew.” The author intertwines Mark’s story with that of several other characters including that of Buddy, a dog who once had a boy of her own but, through various circumstances, ends up being...more
I know it was written by Ms. Bauer, and for that I wanted to love it. However, I just didn't. I think the artwork is what makes it confusing for appropriate age level -- the book cover and illustrations are more picture book, but the vocabulary and content are higher level, it seems to me. I suppose as a read aloud, with adult perhaps filling in gaps or explaining something, children may enjoy it. I just don't really see many kids picking it up; unless they love dogs. And that is one reason I di...more
The title and cover art lured me into picking this one, and I am so glad it did. Ms. Bauer manages to pack so much emotion and so much story into a sparsely written text that is quick and easy to maneuver. I read the entire book in one short setting, and think the style and simplicity of language would be very suitable and appealing to reluctant readers.
The story is one of love and longing, and manages to weave the lives of three needy souls into a tale of realized dreams. The predictability of...more
The story is one of love and longing, and manages to weave the lives of three needy souls into a tale of realized dreams. The predictability of...more
I've come to enjoy novels-in-verse very much, so I was delighted to realize that Marion Dane Bauer, whose writing I respect tremendously, had written a novel in this form ... especially for younger readers. With a lost dog and a boy who desperately wants a dog for a pet as the two main characters, there are many other intriguing characters in the town of Erthly. Mark's mom is the mayor and she does not want Mark to have a dog, nor does she see the need for a dog park in this small town. Mark's f...more
This book is, just like the cover illustrations make clear, adorable. It's written in a kind of free verse -- there's no rhyme or real structure, but there are some repeated words and a semi-lyrical structure to it that make it different than plain old prose.
The story follows three characters -- the little dog, Buddy; a lonely old man; and a young boy who desperately wants a dog, Mark. The author is telling you this story, and asks questions to you as a reader as you go, which would make this a...more
The story follows three characters -- the little dog, Buddy; a lonely old man; and a young boy who desperately wants a dog, Mark. The author is telling you this story, and asks questions to you as a reader as you go, which would make this a...more
I really enjoyed this book and it is just right for 4th graders. The story is told from the point of view of Mark, a boy who desperately wants a dog, but his mother keeps telling him that he cannot have one. I could relate to Mark because my son really wants a dog, but I also can relate to the mom, and her reasons for NOT wanting a dog. The story is written in verse, so it reads like a poem, and is full of great imagery and descriptive language. I liked the way the author brought other character...more
I want a puppy so bad!!! But, I think if I had to go through all the drama of this book in order to get a puppy, that might not be worth it to me.
But PUPPY!
Sad puppy wants its own girl:
Like Mark, I can’t have a puppy right now. Unlike Mark, I do not spend every waking hour researching puppies. I don’t think I have the devotion or sense of responsibility that Mark seems to have, but maybe when I grow up, I will, and then mymom HOA will let me have a puppy.
This story is in verse, and it is very...more
But PUPPY!
Sad puppy wants its own girl:
Like Mark, I can’t have a puppy right now. Unlike Mark, I do not spend every waking hour researching puppies. I don’t think I have the devotion or sense of responsibility that Mark seems to have, but maybe when I grow up, I will, and then my
This story is in verse, and it is very...more
view all 4 comments
Marion Dane Bauer’s recent book, a novel in verse, is one that all children will love. Little Dog, Lost is about Buddy…
“Little black dog with brown paws
and a brown mask
and a sweet ruffle of brown fur on her bum
just beneath her black whip of a tail.
Satiny coat.
Ears like airplane wings
that drop
just at the tips.”
Buddy once had a family. She had a boy, a mom, a dad, grandparents, aunts and uncles, too. But her family has to move to the city. Buddy is left with a strange woman who doesn't see...more
“Little black dog with brown paws
and a brown mask
and a sweet ruffle of brown fur on her bum
just beneath her black whip of a tail.
Satiny coat.
Ears like airplane wings
that drop
just at the tips.”
Buddy once had a family. She had a boy, a mom, a dad, grandparents, aunts and uncles, too. But her family has to move to the city. Buddy is left with a strange woman who doesn't see...more
Sweet story told in blank verse about a small dog who first loses her owners and then loses her way from her new home - where she wasn't wanted anyway. Fortunately on the other side of town is a young boy who desperately needs a dog and an old man who could use some dogs and some kids in his life. Maybe a tad implausible, but a lovely story, gently told with a supremely satisfying ending.
Beautifully written story of a dog named Buddy who is given away when his owners move to an apartment. Buddy's new owner is nice enough, but does not know what to do with a dog. As a result, Buddy becomes unhappy, eats less and less, then runs away. Meanwhile, a boy named Mark wants a dog more than anything else, but mom always says no. A third part of the story is an older man named Charles LaRue who has spent his life taking care of an elderly woman. She passed away. left the house to LaRue, a...more
This realistic fiction story will be a kid favorite, I think. It's written in prose and is a quick read about a boy who really wants a dog and a dog who has to be left behind when his boy moves to the city. It has some interesting characters who each tell their own point of view, as well as the dog. This will be a yes vote for me.
When your eleven year old does “readers advisory” Dad, you will love this book! you have a parental obligation to read the book. This is a cute but all too predictable (even for a young YA book) story of a boy and his dog. On the plus side - as my son said to me, “at least the dog doesn’t die” - which would be more typical for a YA book involving a dog.
Oct 14, 2012
Sandy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
differences,
early-mg,
communities,
family,
multi-age,
pet,
novel-in-verse,
young-elementary
This story in verse tracks a boy forced to give up his dog, a boy desperate to have a dog, a fellow who is quirky and alone. seems like the pieces would fit together predictably, but it does some twists and turns along the way. Folded into the mix are politics, family issues, shyness, creativity, and plenty of tension.
Quick read and wonderful story! I picked this one randomly off the new shelf and was surprised at the form it is written in. Very short sentences almost poemlike. Highly recommend to any dog lover or early chapter book reader who is looking for a good story in a format that is not too daunting.
I liked it but it seemed a bit sad and it ended really quickly. I would like it better if the happiness in the end could last a little bit longer but overall I liked it. I just think it could be written in chapter book form instead of the writing only covering half a page.
Simple. Sweet. Touching. Love that it is written in prose, so it feels whimsical, but reads like a story. Sharing this with 2nd and 3rd grade students, and looking forward to their reactions. I think it is perfect for youngsters that love dogs.
Great free verse story for the beginning-middle chapter book crowd. Abandoned dog, lonely boy, misunderstood caretaker, and friends with a purpose make the perfect ingredients for a fast-paced, heart-warming story that's not just for dog lovers.
This charming story told in verse tells the story of a little boy, Mark, who has longed for a dog his entire life but his mother is adamant about not owning a dog. A little dog ends up lost in their small town and has quite the adventure before falling into the right hands. This story is filled with hope and a great read for those kids who love a good dog story. Would also be great as a mentor text for teaching prepositional phrases.
If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. Beautifully written! Although this is an overused word, this is definitely a sweet book. But beware, if your child reads this book, he/she will probably ask for a dog.
I liked this book better than I thought I would. I thought the premise was lame and sappy - lost dog. Meh. But the novel in verse format fits the content very well. Pretty good. I can see the appeal.
If you love the picture of the dog on the cover, you'll probably love the book. It's just what it sounds like and just as adorable as the cover leads you to believe. Charming.
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Marion Dane Bauer is the author of more than eighty books for young people, ranging from novelty and picture books through early readers, both fiction and nonfiction, books on writing, and middle-grade and young-adult novels. She has won numerous awards, including several Minnesota Book Awards, a Jane Addams Peace Association Award for RAIN OF FIRE, an American Library Association Newbery Honor Aw...more
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1 trivia question
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“But never
in his saddest dreams
had he thought he'd spend
his last years
dusting
this enormous old house
for no one
at all.”
—
1 person liked it
in his saddest dreams
had he thought he'd spend
his last years
dusting
this enormous old house
for no one
at all.”
“So much longing.
So many lives
filled
with longing.
It's what stories―
all our stories―
are made of.
And what is longing
made of
except hope?”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
So many lives
filled
with longing.
It's what stories―
all our stories―
are made of.
And what is longing
made of
except hope?”
