Faith and the Electric Dogs

by Patrick Jennings, William Neeper (cover art)

Edison is a Mexican street dog, but he's far from ordinary. He can speak Bowwow and can understand English, Spanish, and French. When a girl named Faith rescues him, he begins a fantastic and unforgettable journey.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Dogs, Fantasy, Animals, Middle Grade, Humor

144 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1996

Reviews

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was in 2nd grade I picked this book up, excited that it had my name right on the front! Books never have my name and that was very important to me, being that young. I ended up absolutely loving it! It's now my favorite book of all time and I have read it ten times over. I did read the second one but I didn't enjoy it quite as much as this one.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a young reader book with chapters about a girl whose family moves to southern Mexico and she is bullied by the local kids because she hasn't learned Spanish. She rescues a local street mutt (electric dog) and decides she's going to escape back to the US in a self-built rocket ship.

The ending is a bit formulaic, but it is a children's book. Otherwise, cute and fun to read.

[DaniLanglie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little middle grade novel! I'm not sure it was one that would really stick with me or inspire me in any particular way if I were a kid. I liked that it taught some basic words and phrases in Spanish, and that it had a basic but powerful lesson about the difficulties of trying new things and adjusting to new life experiences. When Faith is disdainful of her new home, we hear from Eddie that her words are hurtful, but Faith isn't demonized for her carelessness either. Her pain is acknowledged and respected, even as she still has a lesson she needs to learn. That was well balanced!

I also enjoyed how... whimsical this book is, I guess you could say? It's the kind of story where some things are just not explained because who cares. Faith being able to actually build and operate a rocket, the discovery of Beverly on an uncharted island and then the fact that they ostensibly just leave him there to spend the rest of his life alone with the dogs... it doesn't have to make any sense, it's just the whims of a simple little story going where they will.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A girl who isn't happy about moving to Mexico has a change of heart after an unbelievable journey in her homemade rocket (powered by jalapeños & pig fat) accompanied by a street dog ("perro corriente" or "perro eléctrico", hence the title).

The author was a teacher of English to Spanish-speakers, and incorporates some mini-lessons at the side of the text, which feel more informative and sometimes humorous, not too didactic.

Readers are likely to feel encouraged at seeing the prejudices and complaints of the main character (ten-year-old Faith) recede and be replaced by her natural enthusiasm for learning, experimenting, and persisting - whether they share her negative assumptions or feel insulted by them.

Although it now feels dated, this book would still work as a short, quick read for kids who need to turn in a book report - there are plenty of thought-provoking ideas to consider and many directions a young person could go.

[Wynee Igel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story about adjusting to a new environment (new country) even when you don't want to. The main human character, Faith, had to move to Mexico and things are not going well in this transition and bullying. She's saved by a dog and that mutual friendship like only pets can do, comforts her and she finds a way to build her life as she tries to run away back to her previous home. She builds, tests, and rebuilds a rocket, eventually taking off but a storm blows them off course and they get stuck on an island. They meet another shipwrecked person and dogs. This journey was imaginative and it was great to learn a little Spanish and some dialects of dog. Loved this concept.

[Jamie Espinoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. It is a great read to for upper elementary.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

first book i remember liking

[Rachel Bodner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Quirky and fabulous.

[Pratishtha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked it off a shelf in my school library in 4th grade. I I still remember it after 20 years, I must have loved it.

[Lu N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book at a book fair in primary school like 15 years ago and think about it all the time

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this at a thrift store on a cross-country road trip merely because of the cover and the fact that it mentioned San Francisco on the back (hey, it was a quarter, so I didn't have to justify the purchase any more than that!). I think it's meant for children, but I ended up loving it. I finished it in two days of relaxed reading. I loved the imagination of the story. It held my interest because the language wasn't too elementary and the story was almost childishly whimsical but still almost believable! And Eddie reminded me a lot of my dog... Not a challenging read (for older readers anyway) but still entertaining!

[Lindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful, magical tale about acceptance and friendship, with Spanish and Bowwow (one of several dog languages, we are told) words defined in the margins. I finished it on a recent morning and went to work, planning to order it for my school library when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but that it is out of print! Doggone it!!!

[Marisa B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I teach at a primarily Spanish-speaking school and read this to my 4th graders every year.They really enjoy all the spanish inserts and my students who don't speak Spanish learn some words along the way. It is written with such humor and the kids love the fact that it's told by a dog. This has always been a hit with my classes and they are really bummed when it's over.

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Charming magical realism for the elementary set. Recommended to me by the parent of an young advanced reader as a good challenge with age-appropriate emotional content. Wasn't my personal favorite, but would make a good read aloud and acceptable for Karen's "No More Dead Dogs!" List.. The dog narrator and frequent words and expressions in languages from Spanish to BowWow will delight kids.

[Danielle Katz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing and heartfelt story written from the perspective of the dog. In the style of magical realism with a wonder filled adventure of a girl who moves from San Francisco to Chiapas Mexico. She hates it there and is frustrated by not knowing how to speak the language. But in the end, my favorite saying, maybe because I've had my share of moving experience, "where ever you go there you are!"

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review from 2004

It's funny the way the dogs have different languages! I liked when they were flying the Peahen. Pork fat and hot peppers for fuel? I also liked that you could also learn some Spanish words too. Not to mention, Bowwow, and all those! :)

[Kyriss Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Faith is an example of children’s fantasy. It was a cute book that incorporated spanish into the storyline. I wasn't totally in love with this book as I was with the others but it is definitely a cute book for younger children.

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this a long time ago and really need to read it again because i don't think i really understood it the first time. i just barely remember a few things like a car hitting a dog and sending him into the gutter and an island and writing "fe" in the sand and other trivial things.

[Kami Tilby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay!!! a fast fun read, great to read to children, cousins, friends, on the beach. Makes you feel like a kid again.

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this book ever since I first read it when I was 6. It's a treasure to me, and an excellent read! :D

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its been a while since I've read this. It was ok.

[Sharmaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't remember much of this book, but I do know it was my favorite when I was little.
I wish I could find a copy of it :(

[Julie Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

great kids book, clever, intriguing with a great lesson that isn't too preachy

[Arwen]

It was a great book!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember this book from when I was in elementary school! I must have checked it about 10 times. I loved it!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Putting this on the read aloud list for the kiddos! Super cute and funny!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reading this book with my son, it is such a sweet little story told from the dogs perspective. Having recently rescued a pup of our own, its adorable.

[Court:) H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book ever!!!

[F.T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story. It transcends boundaries and takes you some place amazing.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Still remember this book after so many years - wish it was still in print!