The Literacy Bridge - Large Print - The Green Dog: A Mostly True Story

by Suzanne Fisher Staples

A Newbery Honor-winning Author The summer after fourth grade, a lonely girl wants just one a dog. She tries everything to convince her parents to let her have one, but nothing works. She is sure that she will spend another whole summer alone - dogless and friendless - with no one to share her adventures. Just when things look bleakest, a charming dog finds her. "Jeff" works his magic on everyone in the house and becomes part of the family, but it's soon evident that he has a nose for trouble. Available only in The Literacy Bridge 5.

Genres: Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Animals, Chapter Books

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Suzanne Fisher Staples is the author of six books addressed to children and adolescents. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (U.S.A.), she grew up in a small community around Northwestern Pennsylvania. She had three siblings, a sister and two brothers. Suzanne went to Lakeland High School in Scott Township, Pennsylvania. Later, she graduated from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She got a job for 10 years being a news reporter and editor for the United Press International. She worked in many places across the U.S.A. and Asia, including Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, New York, and Washington DC. In 1985, she returned to Pakistan to assess the conditions of poor, rural women and report back to the United States Agency for International Development.

Reviews

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anybody who's ever owned a dog (or, depending on your view, perhaps been 'owned' by a dog!) will really enjoy this little "nearly true" tale of a young girl who begs for a dog and unexpectedly has one wander into her life who is exactly what she hoped for, and who she names 'Jeff.' It's a heartwarming and also very humorous little story (including the experience of Jeff's literally becoming a 'green' dog for awhile after a traumatic experience with a bucket of paint). A cute and easy read.

[Watch Books · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure if this would be a book enjoyed by the intended target market, which I suppose is young children. I opened the book having read the summary and getting a clue of what I *thought* the feel of the book would be due to the fun quirky artwork.
Was shocked as soon as I opened the first page with the slow pace and abundance of descriptions and internal monologue and feelings. The main character was kind of a brat and not very enjoyable to read about. I kept trying to figure out how the clothed glasses wearing dog fit in to the slow pacing and the abundance of descriptions for every little thing. Overall, didn't enjoy it - Zoe

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I read a chapter together before bed each night. We both found ourselves laughing out loud on many occasions. My son's favorite parts dealt with the dog peeing in a pair of swim trunks and getting covered in green paint (hence the title). Having grown up spending summers on a lake, it was easy for me to paint the pictures in my head while bringing back some terrific childhood memories. This is a great book for a young reader!

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great story! Suzanne is a girl who loves to fish and wander the woods. She has an older brother, a younger brother and a sister who is very different from herself. So she ends up spending much of her summer's free time alone on the lake where her family lives. And the only thing she wants is a dog.

She daydreams about what he will look like and what she will name him. He will belong to her, no one else, because she is the only one who wants him.

Will she ever get her "dream" dog? Read this coming-of-age story and find out what happens to Suzanne over the summer before starting fifth grade.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was cute, but the end you had the feeling they didn't really focus on some of the parts, so you were a bit confused about why it happened. I can't go into detail without giving the end away. I liked The Green Dog, it's was cute!

[Cheryl]

Dnf April 2023. Though some reviewers said it's fun, most say the cover isn't accurate, the vibe slow, too much on feelings, and not a good ending. And since I'm having trouble getting into this LFL find, I'll just let it go back; maybe someone else will like it more.

[Gabriel da boss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I overall enjoyed this book, though the ending was not what I expected.

[Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Green Dog doesn't have a very good ending.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a bitter sweet story from the author's childhood about wanting a dog and how badly it hurt after having her dream dog for the summer and then having it taken away (the dog did NOT die).

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story overall. A bit dry in places. Ending felt cut off. Loved Jeff.

[Chance Hansen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was having some trouble collecting my thoughts so I thought I would give it some time.

Cover
I have to admit I didn't expect this sort of story based on the cover or title. The title is a nod to a minor inconsequential event that happens at the very end of the book, and I expected from the cover for it to be a book at a harbor or something. (I didn’t realize it was a full bleed cover at the time) The cover image doesn’t tie into the title at all.
I do have to ask what beautiful images is the ALA Booklist talking about? It’s a non-illustrated chapter book.

Interior
One of the main problems I found with this book is that it tries to be timeless but at the same time slipping some seriously dated references.
The book was published in 2003 but clues show it isn’t a modern story. Working on a tablet (not a computer tablet) at school, Elvis glasses, and a certain show being referenced It’s based not on modern but 1960s era. The problem is that it’s really subtle and doesn’t give the end justice.
I
do like the nod and that they spelled it out that after getting a dog her grades improved, and she has become more sociable. Like having a pet has pulled the best part of her out.

What did I just Read?
Dale has Cerebral Palsy and loves to play Mumblety-peg (A game where you throw pocketknives at each other.) Through the blur of rapid-fire character introductions that don’t mean a whole lot this little detail really pops out on pages four.
You’re playing a game where you throw knives at each other with someone that has a detreating motor skills and Suzanne openly admits she finds it boring!


(Spoilers)
There are so many things about this ending that really trigger me. (This ending isn’t going to age well)
In the end for no apparent reason they take Jeff to “The Farm”.
I really can’t tell how upset I should be with this out of place plot twist.
The problem is it’s not really spelt out whether he’s now an adjusting farm dog or as the book alludes to throughout the chapters that Dad had the dog put down.
Firstly the age of the book. As a 2003 book I think the father lost all favor as her father doesn’t hold a lot of compassion or care but as a parent in the 60’s the shut up and buck up is more comprehensive and fits the tone. Hence the not so obvious date complicates book.
It makes me question the care for Suzanne as it’s literally shows that before owning a dog she’s unfocused, daydreamer, who’s failing in class, but when they get Jeff her daydreaming is gone, she’s playing with more of her friends and sister more often, appears the family has come together, and became a straight A student. After they “shoot” Jeff, the family is more distant, resided to being a depressed loner, with failed grades. The oddest thing is Dad up until now was strict but fair, but this underhanded move makes him outright unlikeable. There isn’t even a real reason to take Jeff to “The Farm”.
BUT if he’s only taken out to live on a farm to have space to run Suzanne makes no sense as you could visit him any day. Making her failed grades and depression a little childish because the parents do act he’s at a better place but it’s never honest with the outcome.

By they way the reason of her depression that started with Jeff absence, didn’t have to do with her dog but because of growing up.
Kinda dumb.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like animals, especially dogs, you'll love this book. The book is sad but also has hilarious chapters. One of our favorite parts is when Jeff had an “accident” at the dog show. Also we wondered why Jeff sat still and didn’t bite Karen when she painted his nails’ pink. We made connections to this story. I also wanted a dog but my mom said we had to get a cat because they are easier to train. I have dog named Duke who also always gets into trouble because he likes to pounce on things. I have two dogs. My brother’s dog is always getting in trouble and my father has given him eight weeks to calm down or he is going to be in big trouble. This is similar to what happened with Jeff and Suzanne.

We gave the book five stars because it was a just right book for us and it is very entertaining.

A fourth grade book club from the American Community School of Abu Dhabi

[Tricia Pham · Rating 3 out of 5]

A take away from this book is that it gives a glimpse of what the author had experienced and gone through. It reminds readers of all ages about what its like to wish and want something so badly that it can make your heartache. In the book, a girl stumbles across her dream dog that eventually brought some problems along the way and her father become impatient. With one more incident, the girl could lose her furry friend.
I enjoyed this book and think that it would be a good read for students from 4th-6th grade. I can imagine them reading this book as something fun on the side. I probably will not use this book as a part of my curriculum in my classes because this book relates more towards being responsible. Being a dog owner myself it was easy to relate to the story and what it is like to own a dog not knowing the big responsibility behind it.

[Sonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suzanne Staples catches the desire of youth, when a girl focuses on one thing: to have her own dog. Once her dream dog finds her, her world opens to new adventures that include her dog. Sharing her dog is hard, when her sister humiliates the dog with dress up. But Suzanne is willing to allow that for the days that she has the dog to hike in the woods and fish with her.
In the back of all her activities, she dreads losing her dog to one wrong move, as judged by her dad.

A light, quick book that captures young hearts desiring a true friend and companion.

Spoiler [I did not like the parents' final decision, seemed abrupt and uncaring.]

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a girl who always wanted a dog. One day she sees the dog of her dreams.

Reasons I like this book-

Reason 1- One of the main characters is a dog.

Reason 2- The girl,Suzanne, likes fishing at the lake and I like fishing,too.

Reason 3- The book's genre is realistic fiction.

Reason 4- The story takes place in the country.

Reason 5- It made me wander, what would it be like to have many critters living on my own porch.

[Param Singh]

The Green Dog is the title of the book. The authors name is Suzanne Fisher Staples. I liked the book. I like the book because it was creative and curious about the dog. The main setting is in the house. The main conflict of this book when she buys the dog and the dog makes a mess. I would recommend this book. I would recommend this book to my little brother. I would recommend this book to him because he likes creative books like this. So as you can see this is my thoughts on the book.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

RL 960. Girl wants dog. Brother has allergies. Family sees dog on side of road driving. Wants dog. Parents say no. Hours later they return to find same dog on porch. Coincidence? Girl thinks not.

Her parents break down and let her keep the dog-- in the basement-- on a trial basis. She has to prove she can train this crazy dog if she wants to keep it.

[Dotty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lonely girl wants a dog and has trouble convincing her parents to let her have a dog. Jeff turns out to be a great dog but does get into some trouble. I didn’t like the ending of this book. The father takes the dog away without warning - well some warning but does it without talking to the girl. If this is based on a true story, I’d like to drop kick the father. Tearjerker

[Miguel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title of the book is the green dog. The author is Suzanne fisher Staples.I really liked the book,i liked it because it is kind of like my dogs.the main setting is in the house.the main characters are Karen,patty,father,booby.The main conflict is when she gets the dog and the dog starts making a mess.I would recommend the book to pet lovers.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a hard book for me to rate. I really liked it; the setting and characterization were everything I love about Staples. However, the story itself bothered and unsettled me, for personal reason. Because of this, I am giving it a 3, even though it really should be a 4.

[Rachel Inbar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the writing in this book and found the story easy to identify with. Suzanne is a talented writer. The cover of the book is misleading - I thought the book would be light and funny. It wasn't. It was beautiful and full of emotion.

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part was when jeff stayed at suzzannes house. The worst part was when suzzanne had to give jeff away. My favorite character was suzzanne. The worst character was jeff. Auryn 10 years old,2014

[Denise Tien · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is REALLLLLLLY GOOD! i think.... i read it a long time ago

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book!

[Skylar · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really liked this book because i could kind of relate to it considering i had a dog once and then had to have it taken away which is what happened to the girl in the story

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was cute and reminded me of summertime.

[Jennifer]

Campbell's Point Book Club 2009

[Lisa]

Doesn't end picture perfectly but realistically and hopeful. Could generate alot of classroom discussion.

[Trinity 11-12 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book since it made wonder what happend to Jeff. It also made me wonder what it would be like to have a ton of tadpoles flushed by my brothers.It was very sad and funny.

[Betsie Johnson]

BOOK TALK