Notes From the Dog, by Gary Paulsen

Bibliographic Information:
Paulsen, G. (2009). Notes From the Dog. Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN-10: 0385738455

Book Awards:
None.

Plot Summary:
Finn, 14, is an extreme introvert whose big summer plan is to read as much as possible, speak as little as possible, and to come into contact with fewer than 12 people. He has two friends: Dylan, his dog, and Matthew, who is living with him for the summer. Then Johanna moves in to house-sit next door, and Finn's plans go up in a haze of dirt. She has breast cancer, she explains, and wants to put in a garden, but doesn't have the energy: can she hire Finn to do it for her? As it turns out, Finn is a terrible gardener, but a wonderful fund-raiser for Johanna's breast cancer awareness triathalon team. Finn and Dylan spend the summer caring for Johanna, and Johanna somehow changes the whole fabric of their life.

Critical Evaluation:
At 130 pages, this is a very quick and unintimidating read. Finn is a hilarious character; the reader likes him even if they can't really identify with a painfully shy 14 year old boy. Although the breast cancer theme is weighty, the situations and characters are funny and light. Johanna's sickness from the chemo gives the boys an opportunity to be needed in a way that 14 year old boys rarely are. The poignant ending is handling delicately, in an uplifting way.

Reader's Annotation:
Finn is having a weird summer: he tries to fertilize his garden, but ends up flooding the backyard with reconstituted cow poop. His dog keeps bringing him notes, and his new neighbor keeps throwing up. Turns out, it's the best summer ever!

About the Author:
Gary Paulsen was born in 1939. He ran away from home at 14, and worked many different physical jobs. He was always a lover of books and writing, and eventually quit his wandering to concentrate on his writing in a remote area of Minnesota. He is a prolific writer, and three of his books have won the Newbury Honor award. He currently lives in New Mexico.

Genre:
YA Fiction

Curriculum Ties:
Community involvement

Booktalking Ideas:
fertilizer
blathering when talking

Interest Age:
11+

Challenge Issues:
None

Reason Included:
Paulsen is an important YA author, and this is his newest book.