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How to Steal a Dog: A Novel by [Barbara O'Connor]

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Barbara O'Connor

How to Steal a Dog: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Barbara O'Connor (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

1,681 ratings

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Half of me was thinking, Georgina, don't do this. Stealing a dog is just plain wrong. The other half of me was thinking, Georgina, you're in a bad fix and you got to do whatever it takes to get yourself out of it.

Georgina Hayes is desperate. Ever since her father left and they were evicted from their apartment, her family has been living in their car. With her mama juggling two jobs and trying to make enough money to find a place to live, Georgina is stuck looking after her younger brother, Toby. And she has her heart set on improving their situation. When Georgina spots a missing-dog poster with a reward of five hundred dollars, the solution to all her problems suddenly seems within reach. All she has to do is "borrow" the right dog and its owners are sure to offer a reward. What happens next is the last thing she expected.

With unmistakable sympathy, Barbara O'Connor tells the story of a young girl struggling to see what's right when everything else seems wrong.

How to Steal a Dog is a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year. This title has Common Core connections.

Reading age

8 - 11 years, from customers
Print length

188 pages
Language

English
Grade level

3 - 7
Lexile measure

700L
Publisher

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Publication date

April 27, 2009
Page Flip

Enabled
Word Wise

Enabled
Enhanced typesetting

Enabled
ISBN-13

978-0312561123
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Barbara O'Connor
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Barbara O'Connor
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Katherine Applegate
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Barbara O'Connor
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Barbara O'Connor
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is truly Georgina's story, and to O'Connor's great credit, it's Georgina herself who figures out what's right and does it. The myriad effects of homelessness and the realistic picture of moral quandary will surely generate discussion." --Booklist "A suspenseful and achingly realistic story." --Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Barbara OConnor is an author of award-winning novels for children. Drawing on her South Carolina roots, Barbaras books are known for their strong Southern settings and quirky characters. In addition to six Parents Choice Awards, Barbaras distinctions include School Library Journal Best Books, Kirkus Best Books, Bank Street College Best Books, and ALA Notables. She has had books nominated for childrens choice awards in thirty-eight states. Barbara is a popular visiting author at schools and a frequent speaker at conferences around the country. She lives in Asheville, NC.

--This text refers to the audioCD edition.

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 3-7– Georgina and her family have been living in their car since her father left and they were evicted from their apartment. Mama is working two jobs to earn rent money and trying hard to hold things together. Desperate to help out, Georgina decides to steal a dog for the reward money, laying out the details of her plan in a diary. However, the dog's owner can't afford to offer a reward, and Georgina ends up feeling sorry for the lonely woman. The girl also makes friends with another adult named Mookie, a kindhearted wanderer who is camped out at the abandoned house where she is keeping the dog. He shares his wisdom and offers help, whether she wants it or not. Georgina's narrative is honest and deeply touching, as she recounts how she and her brother try to survive their circumstances. Washing off in a gas station restroom and turning in grease-stained homework become fairly normal occurrences. Readers will identify with the agony and the embarrassment caused by being different, as well as Georgina's struggles with her conscience. The book's endearing humor smoothes out the more poignant moments, and the unfolding events will keep youngsters totally engaged. The gem in the story is Mookie, who manages to sparkle even when sadness threatens to devour the moment. Though set inside a heavy topic, this novel's gentle storytelling carries a theme of love and emphasizes what is really right in the world.–Robyn Gioia, Bolles School, Ponte Vedra, FL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

From Booklist

One day Georgina has a home, a best friend, and plenty to eat. The next, she's living in a car with her mother and brother. Carrying on as usual isn't possible: washing up in a restaurant bathroom, doing homework by flashlight, losing her friend. Mom works two jobs, but it's not enough, so impatient Georgina decides to steal a dog, hoping to collect a reward. She picks her furry victim and makes careful plans--but she doesn't count on her conscience. In stripped-down, unsentimental prose, Georgina tells her own story, her words making clear her vulnerability and heartbreak as well as her determination and pride. It's puzzling why Mom doesn't seek outside help for her desperate family, and the appearance of wise Mookie, a sort of transient deus ex machina, verges on excess. Yet in the end, this is truly Georgina's story, and to O'Connor's great credit, it's Georgina herself who figures out what's right and does it. The myriad effects of homelessness and the realistic picture of a moral quandary will surely generate discussion. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000RG17O0
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); First edition (April 27, 2009)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 27, 2009
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 304 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 188 pages
Lending ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #120,545 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #12 in Children's Homelessness & Poverty Books (Kindle Store)
- #67 in Children's Homelessness & Poverty Books (Books)
- #70 in Children's Dog Books (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
1,681 ratings

About the author

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Barbara O'Connor

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Barbara O’Connor is the New York Times bestselling author of Wish and other award-winning novels for children, including Halfway to Harmony, How to Steal a Dog, The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis, and The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester. Drawing on her South Carolina roots, Barbara’s books are known for their strong Southern settings and quirky characters. In addition to six Parents Choice Awards, Barbara’s distinctions include School Library Journal Best Books, Kirkus Best Books, Bank Street College Best Books, and ALA Notables. She has had books nominated for children’s choice awards in 38 states. Barbara is a popular visiting author at schools and a frequent speaker at conferences around the country. She lives in Asheville, NC.

Customer reviews

5 star		84%
4 star		11%
3 star		3%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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Wonderful book for kids about making difficult choices and the resulting consequences

Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2021

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My daughter received this book after reading and liking another book by the same author and it didn’t disappoint. The main character’s family faces a difficult situation and she makes a decision to do something drastic to attempt to change her family’s circumstances. The book continues with her quickly realizing that she really didn’t think things through very well and she has to come up with solutions to the new problems that she didn’t anticipate. Without spoiling the ending, things do end up working out. It’s a great story about not making judgements by outward appearances, accepting help when it’s offered and to trust your gut feelings.

6 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2021

Verified Purchase

My daughter (9) is a little advanced for her age, this book is probably for the reading level of an 11 or 12 year old. This book's subject's, like a lot of Barabara O'Connor novel's, deal with mature, real life situations. Not shy of the nitty gritty. I've proof read all the authors books and I've enjoyed them...my daughter LOVES them. She enjoys the the detailed story telling, which inspires her to write her own stories! She can also relate to the feelings and emotions of the protagonist, an adolescent girl. Like most of the authors books, this one dives head first into adventure, morality, conflict, and resolution. Not only is this book fun, descriptive, and thought provoking, it's also inspirational. A perfect read for a daring youth that isn't afraid to delve into the sensitive subjects and imaginative story telling this book provides.

20 people found this helpful

Christine Walker

Heart wrenching story - a must read!

Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2020

Verified Purchase

Love every book by this author. I read them with my 8 and 11 year old grandkids, and I believe they help them to develop empathy. How to Steal a Dog is among my favorites. Characters are memorable, and you find yourself rooting for them.

11 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2022

Verified Purchase

I got for my family to read for summer and I sob every chapter. My kids Love it I love it and I will be reading it to my kids at school! Gives u all the feels. ❤️ I want all her books now.

How to find a fantastic book...pick this one

Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2018

Verified Purchase

Read this book in one night. Exposing children to struggles of homelessness is a powerful life lesson. The inner turmoil that Georgina faced throughout the story surrounding whether or not to steal a dog to earn a reward and ultimately the message of be kind...help not for the potential of money...but because you are a good person. The character of the mom tore at me...especially when Georgina was so hard on her as she worked 2 jobs to try to change their living arrangements.

Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2022

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I read this book to my students and they loved it so much they begged me to keep reading it!

"The trail we leave behind"

Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2018

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A fantastic read by Ms. O'Connor, that touches on poverty, childhood, kindness and family. The protagonist Georgina is first-rate! You feel her every emotion as you leaf through this novel. This book has also been adapted for the silver screen, in a Korean movie bearing the same title.

2 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2022

Verified Purchase

Very cute book, but I’d say 8 is the max age to read it.

Top reviews from other countries

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Christine Gribbin

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2017

Verified Purchase

Entertaining !

Marissa

Beautiful story!

Reviewed in Canada on April 1, 2020

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Read this class to my Grade 4s and 5s and they couldn't get enough of it! They groaned every time I said we had to stop reading for the day. Beautiful story line and characters!

KL

Nice story

Reviewed in Canada on February 2, 2021

Verified Purchase

Nice story and a good lesson

Ana Guzman

Gran enseñanza

Reviewed in Mexico on July 30, 2020

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Muy recomendable para toda la familia

Translate review to English

Lizzzzzzie

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on December 3, 2016

Verified Purchase

great booK!

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Barbara O'Connor
657
Kindle Edition
1 offer from $7.99
Barbara O'Connor
90
Kindle Edition
1 offer from $7.99
Barbara O'Connor
12,774
Kindle Edition
in Children's Dog Books
1 offer from $7.99
Barbara O'Connor
213
Kindle Edition
1 offer from $8.99
Barbara O'Connor
175
Kindle Edition
1 offer from $7.99
Katherine Applegate
6,357
Kindle Edition
1 offer from $7.99

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