Matt Christopher’s “The Dog That Stole Home” is a fun story about a boy and his dog. Written in 1993 this book is just one in the long running series, “Harry The Dog”.

Mike is a young baseball player and a dog owner. His dog is very special because he can talk to him telepathically. Mike has never played a baseball game without his dog Harry, but when Harry nips at another dog on the nose to get his ball back Mikes mother grounds Harry and forbids him from going to the game. Mike counts on Harry’s support whenever he plays and feels he can’t win without him. Mike is, of course, not doing his best without Harry around. However when Mikes mom shows up at the field with Harry in by her side, Mike starts to play better.

The story is somewhat predictable and the text is lengthy, leaving very little for your imagination, but it could satisfy a young baseball fan or dog lover looking for a sweet story about friends. ( )

Title: The Dog that Stole Home
Author: Matt Christopher
Publisher/Date of Publication: Little, Brown and Company/ 1993
Summary of Book: This book is about a boy and dog that are like best friends. One day the dog Harry got caught nipping another dog and was grounded. Mike was worried about his baseball game without Harry’s advice and encouragement. Mike wonders if he’ll ever make it without Harry.
Personal Reaction: I used this book to fit in the Contemporary realistic fiction genre. This book would be fun for children to read because all children love animals. In some ways this book could relate to many children because children do form relationships with their pets. Mike and Harry are like best friends and are the main characters in this story. I thought this book was very funny and I enjoyed reading it.
Extension Ideas:
1. Since this book is about a dog and boy who are best friends than the class will have the opportunity to make a treat for their pet. The teacher will bring milk bones and the students will get to dip them in icing and top them with sprinkles to take home to their favorite pet.
2. The students will color a color sheet of Harry and his owner Mike.