Not surprisingly, I loved this book. I say not surprisingly because so far, I've loved everything that Katherine Applegate writes. And yes, not surprisingly, I teared up at times. This was a sweet story about a three-legged dog (Chance) who finds herself at a shelter after being injured and abandoned by irresponsible pet sitters while her favorite humans were abroad. The creative bit is that robot dogs are a thing and the shelter includes both abandoned real dogs and robot dogs. Not surprisingly there is an us vs them mentality between the robot dogs and the real dogs, but the bottom line is that any of them could be "decommissioned".

An unlikely friendship develops between Chance, a robot dog (Metal Head), and a mouse (Mouse) as Chance and Metal Head seek to find their forever homes and Mouse seeks to provide for his family.

I loved that books/reading played a part in this story. Quinn's story was heartwarming and I loved Mr. Molinari. Overall, I loved this story of friendship and love, and the illustrations really added to the story. While I am more of a cat person than a dog person (I love dogs, I just don't have the mentality to care for them), I loved reading about Chance and Metal Head search for their people and would recommend this for anyone who loves animals.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley and the publishers. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My thanks goes to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends for an ARC of DOGTOWN. All opinions are my own; I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Humor, Animal Books, Adventure Stories
Age: Middle grade (6-12 years old)

DOGTOWN is adorable! These are dogs with broken hearts, abandoned in a shelter. But this one has robot dogs and living dogs.

Surprise! Metal Head was listening and learned how to speak dog. And Metal Head wants out! But who wants a misbehaving metal dog? Nope—Chance knows what's what, but Metal Head isn't catching on to life in Dogtown. And then there's Quinn who wants to be with Metal Head.

The illustrator Wallace West deserves a shout-out for the great illustrations. They are simple but so adorable! Chapters are very short, making it perfect for reluctant readers. It's a fast read.

Seeing everything from the dog's point of view was fun. The kids are going to chuckle over the doggie potty jokes and be on the edge of their seats to see what happens next. Adding in a familiar book from Dr. Seuss is a bonus. Then they make an escape plan...

I think kids are going to love this book, and I recommend it.

Happy reading!

Every time Katherine Applegate writes a book I have to read it. I may enjoy it even more than my kids do. This one was no exception. It was quirky, fun, and a bit heartbreaking. Dogtown is a colorful sort of shelter where the manager and volunteers love the dogs and even invite school children to come read to them. It houses every sort of canine you can imagine from pampered show dogs to adorable mutts with the addition of robot dogs who are cast away and outgrown. Metal Head is a robot dog who wants to go home to his boy and will never be happy until he does. Chance is a three legged mix who just wants to find a forever home for her and her friends and put hr past behind her. Mouse is a mouse. And together they go on an adventure that bonds them as a pack . I loved this book. My dog is a rescue from the streets of California and is ever bit one of our kids but unfortunately children should know not all Humans treat dogs with the love and respect they deserve. This book is a fun, cute, touching way of introducing children to the concepts of dog rescues and why we need them. It's packed with beautiful moments and plenty of deeper tearjerker scenes like any dog book should be. It gives so much character to each animal, organic and metallic. Fun, teachable, enjoyable and heartwarming.

I think that Applegate and Choldenko write with some of the best voice in children’s literature, so when I saw that they had collaborated on a book I signed right up to get a review copy.
It’s a charming and poignant story, and dog lovers will delight in this story narrated by Chance, a three-legged shelter dog with a heart of gold who describes his encounters with Metal Head, a robot dog who has found himself relegated to the same shelter.
Readers will instantly warm to Chance, a dog has been down on his luck, but has been around the block a couple of times and freely dispenses advice to the other dogs. Both he and Metal Head harbor a wish to get back to their families, and the story contrasts the different ways they deal with their heartbreak and disappointment.
Metal Head devises a plan to escape and go back to his original home, and Chance finds himself pulled along on the adventure which leads to insights for the both of them.
Readers will understand more about the lives of shelter dogs after reading this book, and the authors provide a list of tips for those who want to be of help to a shelter.
I received an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

A fun read for elementary and early middle grades. I didn't love it for a read-aloud as much as I've loved some of her other books, but would definitely recommend this charming story. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

These two authors are fantastic, and a collaboration is sure to be a win! This is a sweet story that satisfies animal lovers but also is an empathy-builder. I love that it’s told from a dog’s perspective, too. Fun read for elementary or middle grades. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Whenever I see a book by Katherine Applegate I have to read it and this one was no exception. Dogtown was a sweet middle grade story about a lost dog who makes friends with two unlikely pets at an animal shelter. This was a quick read, but was filled with fun little quips about being a dog and heartwarming messages. Such a cute story and perfect for middle grade readers.

Chance has been in Dogtown a long time. Long enough that she's given up hope that her owners will ever find her in the shelter (if they're even bothering to look), and long enough that she's stopped feeling sorry for herself. She sees other dogs get adopted and is happy for her friends, but she knows no one wants a 3 legged dog. She wasn't always that way, but that's how she knows she's stuck in Dogtown for life, or at least until they decide her time is up. All the dogs in Dogtown are jealous of the robot dogs, who seem to get adopted so quickly because people love having a pet that always obeys and never makes messes. The robots don't seem to even care about being adopted, with their indifferent attitudes and lack of personality. When Chance meets Metal Head, who is determined to find his owner again, he challenges everything Chance thought she knew about robots. The two embark on an adventure to reunite boy and robot dog, and learn that the two actually have a lot more in common than they thought. And maybe, just maybe, at least one of them will get their happy ending.

I honestly loved this book so much. It made me laugh and cry and want to adopt all the puppies (both young and old). Katherine Applegate always writes with so much heart, and Dogtown is no different. If you loved The One and Only Ivan series, this is your jam. It's an easy read, and dog lovers of all ages will appreciate and fall in love with Dogtown. I'm so excited to see that it's part of a series, and I can't wait to read the next one!

I received this ARC courtesy of NetGalley, in return for my honest opinions and review.

Very heartwarming and wholesome. Great story for any dog lovers. Offers something a little unique too with the robotic dogs. Chance was also my favorite.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book!

A wonderful, heart-warming, funny story about three residents in a dog shelter who form a bond and help each other solve their problems. The ending is a real tear-jerker. Could be read to 3rd graders. Very nice suggestions at end of book about ways to help shelter dogs.Thanks to #NetGalley and ##Dogtown for advanced digital copy.

I received an electronic ARC from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group through NetGalley.
Applegate spins her magic and offers readers a look at love and friendship in an interesting manner. Chance is a three-legged dog at a dog shelter. He has the run of the place for reasons that are revealed in the story. He nurtures and cares for the other dogs as they all hope to be adopted and grieve being left there. To his surprise, he interacts with one of the robot dogs, Metal Head, and discovers he likes him. Readers will follow their adventure as Chance, Metal Head and Mouse leave the shelter to take Metal Head home. Though Applegate addresses the end of life concern, all of the dog characters are adopted or stay in the shelter throughout the book. The ending is definitely a feel good one and there were tears in my eyes as I finished the story.
Tender story that readers will appreciate. A definite addition to elementary libraries.

This was a sweet book that will definitely appeal to dog lovers! The idea of a dog shelter that combines both real dogs and robotic dogs is very clever, especially when one of the electric dogs (Metal Head) turns out to be so much more. Chance is a real dog, whose back story isn't revealed until towards the end of the book so I won't share it here. Because of a horrible accident, Chance has three legs. She has the run of the shelter and has figured out a way to make things bearable for the most part. Chance is always happy to help out a friend. This leads to Chance, Metal Head, and Mouse having quite the adventure as Metal Head puts a plan together to get himself home. Nothing works out as expected, but some things turn out better than expected. There are some great suggestions of ways to help shelters and shelter dogs at the back of the book. Recommended for dog lovers, grades 3 & up.

A darling book for kids of all ages! This book is truly phenomenal. The story of an unlikely friendship between a shelter dog, and a robo dog. The search for home, the search for love, the search for belonging. This book will help readers empathize for all dogs, but especially those in shelters. It will show the power of reading, the power of reading with a furry friend, and the power of reading with robots! Definitely read with a tissue, as this book is sure to bring tears to your eyes. I highly recommend this book!

This is a promising start to a new series. I really enjoyed the characterizations of the dogs (both warm-blooded and robot).

I received an Advanced Reader copy from Netgalley for my honest review. Katherine Applegate is on of my favorite children’s authors, with Wishtree among my top stories. Dogtown will appeal to dog lovers and children alike. Chance, a three legged dog, Metal head an electronic dog, and mouse form an unusual friendship. The value of family and the bond between dogs and owners is a key component. Being donated or abandoned by the carelessness of humans and the effect on a pets heart. The relationship between Reading buddy Quinn and Metal Head shows the power of love. This book will fly off the shelves. Another great story filled with love!

A cute story of Chance, a real dog, and Metal Head, a robot dog, who both live at Dogtown, a shelter. Chance was abandoned by dog sitters when her real family was out of town for a few months. She doesn't like Metal Head at first, but they come to forge a bond as they try to find their homes.

A cute story! I wish there had been more illustrations, especially since some chapters were very short.

*I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

Dogtown houses both "flesh-and-blood" dogs and robot dogs. Three-legged Chance narrates the story and explains day-to-day life at Dogtown, describes its residents, and differentiates between the "real dogs" and "robo-dogs". When Chance and her friend Mouse get drawn into an escape plot with robot dog, Metal Head, adventure ensues.

There is SO MUCH HEART in this book. I was an emotional wreck throughout the entirety, but I'm so happy I read it. This middle-grade book is perfect for animal loving kids (and adults!). There are some scary moments and emotional situations, but the ending will suffuse every reader with a case of the warm and fuzzies.

I'll absolutely be purchasing this for my library, and I look forward to reading additional books in the Dogtown series.

I got an ARC of this book.

It has the same formatting as Ivan. Super short chapters that tell a bigger story, almost poem like. But it isn't as emotionally charged as Ivan. I wish it was. Instead it is just sort of eh. There wasn't a lot that happened and there wasn't the same emotionally punch.

That being said, I would have eaten this up in middle school. I needed every dog book out there. It was great to see a tripod pup be the star, but I wish there was more there. A lot of that came down to "no one will love a dog with three legs". There is not a lot beyond that. It was also like the robot dog plots (dogs vs robot dogs). It was basic discrimination plots, but then it wasn't really resolved in a way that made it feel good.

So not the best Applegate book, but I still enjoyed reading it.

🐶What happens when two amazing, award-winning authors get together and write a book? Pure genius!

🐶Dogtown by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko with illustrations from Wallace West will be released on September 19, 2023!

🐶Three-legged Chance currently resides in Dogtown, a shelter for both warmblood and robot dogs. Chance has been dubbed “lucky” by Management, so Chance gets to roam about the shelter freely. Life for her is pretty good, but Chance yearns to be reunited with her family. Chance befriends a mouse at the shelter, Mouse. Chance takes care of Mouse, and she always makes sure Mouse has enough food. In the shelter, there is a great divide between the warmblooded dogs and the robot dogs. Chance ends up giving one of the robot dogs, Metal Head, a “chance” (although Chance really dislikes when her name is used for anything besides her name), and Chance, Mouse, and Metal Head end up saving a dog’s life, adventuring, and learning a lot about life together.

🐶Dogtown offers moments of laughter, moments of reflection, and moments that will tug at your heartstrings. Chance’s voice comes through clearly, and children will easily visualize her character.

🐶Dogtown is illustrated in black and white sketches throughout. The illustrations are very fun and kid-friendly. They also help enrich the text.

🤔💭🐶I loved the short and sweet chapters. The set-up kept my attention, and I finished the book quickly! I think children will really like the set-up as well. I also loved how the theme is shared not-so-subtly at the end. Sometimes children need a little extra boost to help pull everything together in their minds.

😊Thank you Macmillian Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ebook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalley #chapterbooks #mglit #middlegradebooks #middlegradereads #dogbooks

I had the privilege of reading and reviewing a book that was co-written by Katherine Applegate and Gennfer Cheolderko. I have several of Katherine Applegate’s books in my own home library.

Dogtown was a shelter that contained both ‘real’ dogs and robot dogs.The story is told through the eyes of one of the real dogs, Chance and Metal Head, a robot dog and Chance’s friend. Metal Head had a talent and could speak dog. He claims that he pays attention.

The book was broken down into small chapters,which keeps the attention of a new reader. Moreover, the book was funny, I chuckled throughout the book.My favorite parts were reading buddy day. I have read shelters that participate in this program.Who doesn’t love ‘Green Eggs and Ham?
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Be ready, It’s impossible to not cheer for the dogs and Mouse. As I am reading this book, my dogs are on my lap.I cried!

As a side note, the story needs to be read by people that want to breed their dog and the importance of adoption.

A big thank you to A Feiward Friends,Katherine Applegate, Gennfer Cheolderko, Illustrations Wallace West, and NetGalley for the privilege of reading and reviewing this book.