From Publishers Weekly
"Hurwitz raises two difficult issues [divorce and pet ownership] responsibly and credibly," said PW. "DeGroat's finely etched, black-and-white illustrations underscore the genuine emotion that runs through this elucidating story." Ages 7-up. (May.-- responsibly and credibly," said PW. "DeGroat's finely etched, black-and-white illustrations underscore the genuine emotion that runs through this elucidating story." Ages 7-up. (May) Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-Not your usual boy-and-his-dog story, this tale comes with a few hard-earned lessons about responsible pet ownership. Fourth-grader Curtis lives in an apartment with his recently separated mother and younger brother, Mitchell. To help compensate for the pending divorce, Curtis's mother goes against her better judgment and allows him to select a puppy from an animal shelter. The one he chooses turns out to be a chewer. Having owned the dog only two weeks, Curtis's mother decides they cannot keep Sammy after he bites her and Mitchell. While attempting to run away with his pet, Curtis is bitten. After six stitches, he realizes that his mother is right, and his father gives Sammy to a friend who has the time and patience to train him. Hurwitz's story has no happily-ever-after ending but makes a strong statement about the consequences of taking a responsibility too lightly. DeGroat's realistic drawings are a bonus. A good message for aspiring or prospective pet owners.Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 3-5. The prolific author of humorous, easy chapter books offers a serious commentary on the subject of dog ownership. Fourth-grader Curtis has always wanted a pup, and after his parents file for divorce, his mother reluctantly agrees. They visit an animal shelter, where Curtis selects a small, black, friendly-looking cocker spaniel. Unfortunately, things go badly from the start. Sammy chews up Curtis' new sneakers, creates a disturbance at Dad's apartment (where dogs are forbidden), and bites anyone who tries to take food away from him. Finally, Mom concludes that Sammy must go, and a sadder-but-wiser Curtis (sporting 10 stitches in his hand) agrees. Hurwitz, who knows her audience well, manages to make her point without ever becoming didactic. Kids are sure to appreciate the story's many lighter moments, too, such as Sammy, hidden in a canvas bag, barking loudly in a New York City taxi. This will be popular with Hurwitz's fans and parents of readers who are convinced that a dog will fix everything. A note from dog trainer Larry Berg explains what went wrong. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Book Description
All Curtis wants is a dog.
At the animal shelter, Curtis falls in love with Sammy, a friendly puppy with curly black fur, floppy ears, a wagging tail, and perfect white teeth. He's the best dog in the whole world.
At home, things are different-Sammy steals food and chews sneakers and toys-but Curtis loves him anyway. Then Sammy bites Curtis's mom, and Curtis has to face the fact that Sammy's not perfect after all.
Will Curtis have to give Sammy up? Or will he do whatever it takes to keep his dog?
About the Author
Johanna Hurwitz is the author of over five dozen books for young readers. She is the recipient of many state awards, including the Texas Bluebonnet Award, the Kentucky Bluegrass Award, and the Garden State Children's Choice Award. She lives in Great Neck, NY. Johanna Hurwitz always knew she wanted to be a writer. She started by telling stories to her brother, who is six years her junior, and she's been making up stories ever since. Born and raised in New York City, she earned her B.A. degree from Queens College and went on to receive a master's in library science from Columbia University. She embarked on a career as a children's librarian, but she never forgot that one day she wanted to write books, too.She worked at the New York Public Library and in a variety of other public and school library positions. She also taught graduate courses in children's literature and storytelling at Queens College. When she and her husband, Uri -- a college teacher and writer-and their children, Nomi and Beni, moved to Long Island, she continued her library work.Although she had told original stories to her children, it was not until they were well along in school that Mrs. Hurwitz actually began to write down her stories. That's why, when children ask her how long it takes to write a book, she replies that her first, Busybody Nora, took her whole life.But since then she has been writing with regularity, portraying with humor and sympathy the everyday incidents that are so important to children. She is particularly fond of seven- to nine-year-olds, because they are " so very open and get excited about small things," and she enjoys writing realistic fiction for and about them.That these youngsters are equally fond of Mrs. Hurwitz's books is obvious. She has received many child-chosen state awards, including the Texas Bluebonnet Award, the Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Award, the Kentucky Bluegrass Award, the Garden State Children's Choice Award, the West Virginia Children's Book Award, and others.In recent years, Johanna Hurwitz has crisscrossed the United States from Juneau, Alaska, to Jackson, Mississippi, and from San Diego, California, to St. Albans, Vermont. She has even spoken abroad, from Morocco to Mozambique and from Portugal to Nicaragua. On these trips she has met and spoken to schoolchildren, teachers, librarians, and parents. She has made many new friends and has often brought home new ideas for her next book.
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