Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
Mason Dixon: Pet Disasters (Mason Dixon)
Soon-to-be fourth-grader Mason Dixon does not want a pet, but his parents think it will be good for him. Goldfish dies soon after his arrival (from overfeeding). Mason is relieved. Hamster escapes. Mason is relieved. Cat has to go back because best friend Brody is too allergic to ever be at their house while Cat is there. Mason is relieved. But when Dog comes, it takes a l...more
Hardcover, 176 pages
Published
July 12th 2011
by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
86)
9-year-old Mason's parents believe he should have a pet. They are clueless to the fact that Mason is not interested. His best friend Brody, on the other, is thrilled with each new pet and dismayed by their death or disappearance or his allergy. When Mason's parents and Brody conspire to adopt a dog, Mason is still dismayed at having to get a pet. Brody claims the dog as his, but Mason gradually comes to love the dog and consider it his dog. This story was fairly realistic although I don't unders...more
I don't usually come down on YA books because I don't want to ever dissuade anybody from reading, especially a young person but this book really didn't turn my crank. I found Mason to be careless, selfish and totally irresponsible and nobody was doing anything to fix that. He'd have these pets get away from him (or die) and his parents would just go get him another one. Uh, not in this world, Kimosabee. He had no sort of connection to any of these pets until he got Dog and then the only reason h...more
Mason did not want a pet, any pet, and so he does get attached to his pets, naming the goldfish Goldfish, the cat, Cat, the hamster, Hamster. But, when his best friend Brody wants to get a dog, but can't because his father is allergic, and Mason's parents get the dog for Brody and Mason to share, Mason begins to change his mind about having a pet, with some disastrous results to his friendship with Brody. The story truly shows a child's emotions and feelings, such as being happy that Dog wags hi...more
Mason is really, really not a pet person but his parents won't give up, even after the unfortunate demise of Goldfish, and the brief, unfortunate stays of Hamster and Cat. Dog, however, may end up breaking the curse, especially when Mason begins to worry that Dog may like his best friend, Brody, more than him. This is a great book for early (2nd – 3rd grade) readers; it is well-written and funny, especially Mason observations on life, and has nice black and white illustrations throughout. There...more
I wasn't sure how I felt about this book during the first few chapters because first a fish dies then a hamster runs away and I didn't like where the whole "pet disasters" thing was going. However, Mason is such a funny, sweet character, and all the secondary characters are likeable (even the unlikeable ones) that I kept reading. This is a sweet story for a boy or girl who is looking for something pretty realistic with a cozy, happy ending! I look forward to the next installment of Mason Dixon!
What I didn't like: I didn't like Mason's parents being so clueless as to keep getting their child pets when it was clear he didn't like them and wasn't taking care of them. (When one dies and another runs away, wouldn't you think it's time to stop?!)
What I did like: Mason's friend Brody. Dog. Mason learning to love Dog. Guy Francis' fabulous illustrations.
What I did like: Mason's friend Brody. Dog. Mason learning to love Dog. Guy Francis' fabulous illustrations.
A protagonist that I wouldn't care to spend time with, a predictable plot, stereotypical characters all made for a slog, though the book barely tops 120 pages. And it looks like its going to become a series! Maybe my young readers will enjoy it, but I can't see why they would.
I like the contrast between Mason, who's reserved and cautious, and his neighbor, Brody, who's out-going and active. Fun story of boys, animals and bullies.
Funny series for reluctant readers - got one of my students hooked on the series this year.
This is MIchaels daughter . It made us laugh SO hard!!!!!!!!!
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Funny! Great read alike for Alvin Ho. 3rd-4th grade boy.
Grades 2-3 Easy first chapter book good for animal fans.
Mar 28, 2013
Jennifer Rinehart
marked it as to-read
Mar 06, 2013
Erica Rainey
added it
Feb 20, 2013
Emilee
marked it as to-read
Feb 13, 2013
Merlie Malicad
marked it as to-read
Feb 04, 2013
Mg
marked it as to-read
Jan 16, 2013
Kayleigh
marked it as to-read
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Claudia Mills is the author of How Oliver Olson Changed the World, 7 x 9 = Trouble!, Being Teddy Roosevelt, and many other books for children. She was born in New York City in 1954. She received her bachelor's degree from Wellesley College, her master's degree from Princeton University, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Princeton University. She also received an M.L.S. degree from the University of M...more
More about Claudia Mills...
Share This Book
1 trivia question
More quizzes & trivia...
