Teacher's Pet

Vet Volunteers #7

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Adjusting to middle school becomes easier for twelve-year-old Maggie when she finds that her biology teacher, who is blind, can learn a few things from her about working with his guide dog.

Genres: Animals, Middle Grade, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Dogs, Contemporary

132 pages, Library Binding

First published March 1, 2001

About the author

UPDATE! Rebellion 1776 is out! The New York Times wrote, "Filled with immersive detail, expert delineations of complex characters, and both harsh and loving reality, Rebellion 1776 provides young readers with a true experience of a historic moment in time that resonates with today's world." Huzzah!

Laurie Halse Anderson is the New York Times-bestselling author of many award-winning books including the groundbreaking, modern classic Speak, a National Book Award finalist which has sold over 3.5 million copies and been translated into 35 languages.

In 2023, Anderson was named the Laureate of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, long considered to be the de facto 'Nobel Prize for Children's Literature.'

A passionate spokesperson for the need to combat censorship, she has been honored for her battles for intellectual freedom by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the National Council of Teachers of English. She lives near Philadelphia. Go Birds!

Follow Laurie on Bluesky at @halseanderson.bsky.social, Instagram at halseanderson, and Facebook at lauriehalseanderson, or by visiting her website, madwomanintheforest.com.

Reviews

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie faces the beginning of seventh grade with a lot of trepidation. She has trouble reading and math is hard. Maggie worries about getting used to different teachers. And, how will she get through all of the homework? Then, at the end of the first day, Maggie walks into science class and sees a beautiful German shepherd! When Maggie tries to make friends with the dog, her teacher says, “He’s working.” Scout is Mr. Carlson’s guide dog. Maggie sees right away that Mr. Carlson isn't comfortable around his dog. Her suspicions are confirmed when her teacher brings Scout into the clinic that very afternoon with a hurt paw. Mr. Carlson accidentally stepped on it. Maggie watches the pair as Dr. Mac treats Scout’s paw. She sees a dog that longs for praise and attention, and an owner who is oblivious to the dog’s needs. When Mr. Carlson asks for her help with Scout, Maggie readily agrees. Soon, Mr. Carlson realizes that he can return that favor by helping Maggie with her schoolwork.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[10-11 Bryanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was very sad at end because Scout got hit by a car and Dr.Mac said he had a coma but Mr.Carlson said come back buddy i need you and he lived.

[Noah Muñoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Teacher’s Pet Vet Volunteers by Laurie Halse Anderson. This book was the first Vet Volunteers book I've read I choose this book because I like dogs. This book was a good book to read the book had Middle-schoolers that are working at Dr. Mac’s vet clinic! The cool thing is that they really care about working at the clinic. It really is telling me to go do that to. Another cool thing is that there middle-schoolers like me so this all kind of could relate to me, This book is a really good book a 9/10.

[Ariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this book in an old bookshelf in a forgotten corner of my house, and legit did a big gasp. It's one of those books that, had I not seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have remembered reading it. I was about 9-10 when I read it. I loved these books, but I can't remember enough to give a proper review.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book talks all about guide dogs for the blind. It is super interesting. I also really enjoyed the parallel story about the difficulties of starting middle school. Laurie Halse Anderson is such a talented writer. I love these books.

[Matthew Hartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for younger readers who want a quick read. The plot was pretty good overall. The book is more for a younger audience.

[Savvy]

This one hit me hard back in the day

[Aurélie Soreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cette histoire me fait rêver.

[Teresa Khranovska · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written by Laurie Halse Anderson. This book is called Vet Volunteers Teacher's Pet.This book is about a new teacher at a school and his adventures with his dog. The teacher was blind so the dog was trained to guide blind people. One of the students in his class was a vet volunteer of a vet. Her name was Maggie.One day the teacher was walking back home and got into a car accident. He and his dog were badly hurt. Maggie was the one who saw her teacher lying on the street. The teacher was taken to the hospital and Maggie took the dog to her grandmother because her grandmother was a vet. The teacher was worried about his dog but soon he relaxed because he knew that his pet wasn't going to be hurt.The teacher recovered and went to the vet for his pet. The vet showed him how to take care of his dog's injured leg.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The copy I have says this is the "Vet Volunteers" series, but the description is the same.

I enjoyed this quick read. Maggie loves volunteering at her grandmother's vet clinic, but does not love middle school. She struggles with the work load and classes in general. Her science teacher is also struggling. He has fairly recently become blind, and has just begun working with a seeing-eye dog. Maggie and her teacher are able to help each other adapt to the changes in their lives.

I felt this was a very realistic book, although many readers have probably not met an adult who has developed a recent disability like this. I'd be really interested to read more books about Maggie, especially to see if she is better able to deal with middle school.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the Vet Volunteers series that Sam and I just love. This book was about a teacher who is adjusting to blindness and also to a new guide dog. Good story, but I was disappointed that the ending didn't go a bit further. I've been waiting through all the previous books in the series for Maggie to be tested to see if she has dyslexia or such. But no such luck! Also, although each book focuses on one of the kids in the little group, this one seemed to exclude the others more than previous ones.

[Candace Presson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the book on my Nook and decided to give it a go. I would have rated the book higher as it was a really good book but, it was so short. I swear I read the book in an hour and a half. Such a shame. Definitely something for a much younger audience.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good if you love animals, but definitely meant for a very young audience.

[Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting enough read.

[Critter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very quick and very interesting read. The books have tons of information on the animals involved in the plot. I loved the series and would highly recommend it.

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Form what I have read Maggie & Mr. Carson need to spend more time studing & less time " working".

[Sara Buss]

the book teachers pet was a very heartwarming story.A girl(Maggie mackenzie) LOVED animalsher grama(Gran) runned a vet clinic.so being around animals was her whole life.But maggie faces some challenges like starting middle school and trying to keep her grades up. But when he teacher says some surprising news to the class on the first day it is a shock. maggie is going to do every thing she can to keep her grades up , help her teacher, and survive midddl school.