National Dog Day is August 26, although in my opinion dogs should be celebrated every day! Whether you are a dog owner or simply a dog admirer, I recommend the following books featuring very good boys and girls (and their human companions).
At the beginning of Gather, things are not going great for 10th grader Ian. His family’s farm has fallen into disrepair and his mom is behind on bills, so the possibility of losing their land looms over them. But thanks to his affinity for nature and his mechanical skills, Ian has an incredible resilience in even the toughest circumstances. And when he adopts an enormous dog who wanders out of the woods one day, things start to look up. But eventually, Ian must put his survival skills to the test in order to keep his land and his dog, Gather. Readers will be drawn in by Ian's candid and funny voice, and don't worry, the dog doesn't die at the end.
Chiharu has a giant Rottweiler and Kiyotaka has a tiny Pomeranian. When they first encounter each other in the neighborhood, it doesn't seem like these very different pups can be friends. But as they keep running into each other, maybe their feelings will begin to change. And maybe their humans' will too? Read this adorable manga to find out if Pupposites Attract!
Deb Caletti's new novel True Life in Uncanny Valley features an intriguing human protagonist as well as an adorable Bernese mountain dog named Boolean. If you don't understand what Boolean's name means, ask your local librarian! Eleanor has never had a relationship with her tech genius billionaire dad, so in an attempt to learn about him, she accidentally stalks him to the point that she gets hired as his live-in nanny for the summer. Once she is living in her dad's house and spending time with her half-brother, her step-mom, and of course Boolean, she realizes that her dad's life is not as perfect as it once seemed.
When Dogs Heal is a beautiful nonfiction book featuring personal stories of people who are HIV-positive and their dogs. Each story shows how caring for a dog can give someone a renewed sense of purpose, and how a dog's unconditional love an acceptance can be a lesson for how we should all treat our fellow humans.
Looking for more ways to celebrate National Dog Day? Consider volunteering with a local shelter or rescue to help dogs in need! If you need help finding one, your neighborhood library branch can help you research.
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