Katherine Applegate writes such great books from an animal's perspective, and she has such empathy and joy in her writing. Dogtown is another hit from this popular author, and I would highly recommend any of her books to fans of Kate DiCamillo. Chance is a three-legged pup who isn't likely to get adopted. He ended up on the streets after his owners possibly abandoned him--the dog isn't clear on the details--but he finds joy in his fellow kennel mates and in the kids who come to read with dogs.

Soon he discovers a boy who may have autism, and wants to help him in any way he can. He forms an unlikely friendship with a robot dog, and through a series of events, eventually helps his pals find a happy ending as well as one for himself.

This book will enamor middle grade readers. The chapters are brief, similar to The One and Only Ivan, and the story is just as special. I can't wait to recommend it to my patrons!

When I saw that Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko co-wrote a book I couldn't wait to read it. I was not disappointed, and readers won't be, either. Perfect for grades 4-6 who love dog stories, the author's outstanding writing and character development draws readers in from page one. Readers will be captivated by canine protagonist Chance, a witty, introspective and good-natured first-canine narrator. Chance pretty much has the run of Dogtown, an animal shelter for lost, abandoned, badly-behaved, and....robot dogs. The authors don't spend any time discussing how robot dogs came to be and it's not a roadblock for readers to just get on board with the notion. Chance and the other dogs aren't fond of the shelter's robot dogs bc they get adopted sooner than "real" dogs. But the more Chance gets to know a robot dog she nicknames "Metal Head", the more she realizes the robot dog has a heart just like she does. A cautious friendship begins, and soon Chance's pal Mouse (a live mouse who lives in Dogtown) makes it a trio. The novel's pace breaks out into a street adventure when they break out of Dogtown to track down Metal Head's old family. There are a few losses along the way but the books fortunately ends well for animal lovers. (Can't have a sad dog story!). The novel's strength is Chance's wise and heartfelt commentary on the human and canine condition: "Your heart is a muscle. It gets stronger the more you use it." Illustrations add humor and perfectly capture moments of doggie emotion and unbridled energy.. Will have no trouble flashtalking this one in the stacks.

Dogtown is a dog shelter where unwanted dogs- both canine and robot- end up. There is a rivalry between the two types, primarily on the side of the living, as many families coming to adopt a dog like the idea of one that won’t need feeding, cleaning up after, and can be stored in a closet. And robot dogs need not fear ending up on the List. This book details the unlikely friendship of Chance, a three-legged dog who misses his family desperately, Metalhead, a robot dog who unexpectedly seems to feel the same way, and Mouse, a mouse who befriends them both. Will this unlikely trio be able to find forever homes for a three-legged canine and a robot dog who seems to feel? Dogtown is a delightful early chapter book, with Chance as the scrappy narrator who is doing his best to succeed in the pound environment. His suspicions of the robot dog are negated by his desire to help a child, making him an empathic hero. Learning Chance’s backstory and how he ended up in Dogtown will have the reader rooting for him to find his way home. Additionally, Applegate’s authorial skill gently delivers lessons about responsible pet ownership, appropriate for the reading audience. One suspects that this might be the first in a series, because Metalhead’s story doesn’t feel complete, and Mouse is still a bit of a mystery. I cannot wait, because I am excited to see what adventures these three cook up next. I was given an e-advance copy in return for an honest review.

I read an e-arc courtesy of NetGalley. There is so much packed into this short book! Being true to yourself, accepting others while also supporting them to be their best and better selves, coming to terms with reality while holding on to hope!!

This book tells the story of Chance, a dog who is orphaned due to a hapless dog-sitter while her beloved owners are away. She lands in a shelter after some dangerous encounters. Over time, she learns to trust and the conditions for a kind of stability in the shelter.

There’s also the undercurrent of distrust due to the shelter also housing robo-dogs.

I enjoyed reading Dogtown! I am apprehensive about how sad the story may be to some sensitive readers. Hearing the back stories of the dogs gives a complete picture of the various ways dogs end up in a shelter. I wanted to adopt all of them and make their tail wag go super speedy fast.

This book would be an excellent read-aloud for elementary and middle school classes. It would be a great learning opportunity to help those sensitive readers (and others) process their feelings about what is happening or what had happened to the dogs. Dogtown is also a great read about making new friends even if they are so very different from you. And working together you can accomplish (practically) anything!

A must-have for all libraries!

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Fun, funny, and informative. Choldenko and Applegate know and love dogs and this story will enhance readers’ appreciation of their animal friends.