With an animal as a key character

[Melissa]

The Last Policeman has a dog, but you will want to read the entire trilogy - it is that good.

A Street Cat Named Bob: How One Man and His Cat Found Hope on the Streets I have not read this, but it is on my pile after many recommendations.

A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs, and Me is excellent.

I third Eric's recommendations.

[Jumana]

The Year of the Hare

The Year of the Hare. This book is hilarious and short, if you are looking for those components in a book as well.

[Julie090]

I don't like sad stories about animals (even fictional) so I can recommend Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived

And I second the recommendation for A Dog's Purpose; it has a sequel, A Dog's Journey, and the author has two other animal-themed books: The Dogs of Christmas and Emory's Gift (about a bear, not a dog).

There is a webiste called doesthedogdie.com which warns about movies with sad scenes or themes involving animals. I wish I knew of one for books. I just rely on reviews for now.

[Nadine in California]

The New Yorkers by Cathleen Schine, where you will meet the wonderful Beatrice.

[Nancy]

I agree absolutely. I listened to one of these last year, and when I encountered the "book with an animal character" challenge I immediately thought of this series. I just checked out a second one from the library. I think the author does a good job of balancing the idea of the dog as a partner in crime solving without getting too cutesy.

[Kilian]

I enjoyed The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elizabeth Tova Bailey. The author was suffering a neurological disorder that weakened her. While confined to her sickbed and missing her formerly active life, she received a gift from a friend: a terrarium with plants dug from her garden. During the night, she hears a strange sound. Turns out a snail was hidden among the leaves. The author develops an interest in snails. It is much more interesting than one would think. This would also fit under nonfiction bestseller and memoir categories. A good read.

[Kilian]

Seabiscuit by Laura Hillebrand is a good read. His importance as a cultural icon spread far beyond the racetrack.

[Krista]

Beautiful Jim Key: The Lost History of a Horse and a Man Who Changed the World I gave this book to my uncle last year, and he keeps raving about it. I just bought another copy for myself.

Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat

I'll third the Chet & Bernie series which starts with -- Dog on It by Spencer Quinn. I prefer the audiobook format for this series.

I see someone else posted - Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl. I read this book late last year and found it to be a fascinating non-fiction book.

[Maggie]

The Tower, The Zoo, and the Tortoise by Julia Stuart. I read this based off a recommendation from either Michael or Ann. The animals are not the main characters in the book but definitely key characters. When I picked it up I did not know what to expect but in the end really enjoyed reading it. It made me laugh in several places throughout the book even though there is an underlying theme of dealing with loss/grief.

[Lori]

The Redwall series by Brian Jacques has a bunch of animals and good story lines.

[[deleted user]]

I think Life of Pi would count.

[Lauren]

Art Spiegelman's Maus Trilogy would work for this BINGO square I think.

Maus, I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History

Maus, II: And Here My Troubles Began

[Julie]

I just finished The One and Only Ivan (for "A Newbery or Caldecott Winner") and while it is geared towards children, I really enjoyed it!

[Heather]

How about Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes?

[Shannon]

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls is an oldie but a good one!

[Virginia]

Fluke

A Kestrel for a Knave

[Suzanne]

Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived by Ralph Helfer

Loved this elephant story. Had not been an elephant book fan before, but this book was amazing.

[Suzanne]

Good Dog: True Stories of Love, Loss, and Loyalty
by Editors of Garden and Gun and David DiBenedetto

[Andrea]

One of my favorite books of all time is The 100 Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. One of the key characters is an elephant, and it's basically awesome. The (human) main character, Allan Karlsson, is my spirit animal.

[Julia]

I just listened to the podcast last night that mentioned this topic and I REALLY want to recommend the Art of Racing in the Rain. I haven't met a person who didn't like the book. It's told through the narrative of the dog, and it is a fantastic read. If you are an animal lover, I feel as though you would become taken with this novel. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

[SibylM]

Lost Cat: A True Story of Love, Desperation, and GPS Technology
A Wolf Called Romeo
An Indomitable Beast: The Remarkable Journey of the Jaguar
The Autobiography of Foudini M. Cat
I Am a Cat
Last of the Curlews
Endangered
Red-Tails in Love: PALE MALE'S STORY--A True Wildlife Drama in Central Park
Ruffian: Burning From the Start

[Nicole]

If anyone likes YA The Knife of Never Letting Go would be a good choice for this square. Manchee, the dog of the main character Todd, plays a huge role in the book. Plus it's funny because Todd can hear Manchee's thoughts and Patrick Ness did a hilarious job in translating "dog."

[Kaitlin]

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

[Suzan]

Wait a minute...Ann and Michael, neither of you has read The Art of Racing in the Rain yet?? Forget the fact that there is a dog in it for this Bingo square - it is such an amazing book! I'm not even really a dog person, but you don't have to be - it's just a spectacular novel - funny, moving, can't-put-it-down.

Here's my review (I never include spoilers):

http://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2009/1...

Another great one (and a quick read!) is Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris - fiction instead of his usual memoir but filled with his usual unique brand of satire and humor - it is sooo clever and so much fun to read. Here's a review:

http://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2014/0...

Enjoy!

Sue

[Suzan]

P.S. I just saw that The Art of Racing in the Rain is just $1.99 on the Kindle today - a bargain!