I love this book. I have even read it several times. Jack is in Mrs. Stretchberry's reading class and she is teaching them poetry this school year. They have a journal to record in that they share with her and we assume she writes comments back. We only hear Josh's voice in the book.
Well, Josh does not like poetry. He doesn't get it and he thinks it's for girls. I related to this, not thinking it's for girls, but not understanding or liking poetry. I felt that way in school too. Anyway, the teacher charges her class with little assignments. As the year goes on you see Josh becoming a poet, growing confidence, and enjoying his own poems. It's inspiring to see how far he comes in the year and shares his story via his own poems. Highly recommended and a great book to use in school beginning a poetry unit.

This book, and the follow up Hate that Cat, will be what I use to teach poetry (I'm a homeschooling Mom). I love books that finally help me understand all those things that they tried to teach me in school 20 years ago - and, I don't even realize I'm learning it! Main character is so real, it is like reading a real child's school journal. Love, Love, Love.

Read this as a fifth grader this book hit me hard, I cried. Now reading this years later, it still resonates. Its amazing how simple the poems are but they have a lot of impact, to see a character's growth solely through his poem entries. it's a quick read but it lingers in your mind, especially if you had a pet as a child.

This is a very quick read with a lot of power! The development of the narrator as a poet and a more independent, confident kid is great. While parts are sad, the end is not. #PACL2019

I really liked this book. A boy is learning about poetry and begins to write his own in verse. Featured is his beloved, deceased yellow dog, Sky. Love the poems included in the back of the book which are referenced in the story. Recommended!

Even if you're not a pet person (which I'm not) this is such a delightful read. I love this book for the emotional development of the boy and because it's such a an gentle and enticing introduction to poetry. But, before sure to have a tissue handy. I cry every darn time.

Characters: 10/10
Plot: 8/10
Writing: 10/10
This book is quick, short, and easy to read, but it's also sad. Just be prepared for some feelings and have a bucket for tears.

So short and simple;
so superb and skillful.

A character voice,
a conversation,
an introduction
to poetry,
an inspiration
by poetry,
reluctance,
resistance,
and
revelation
all in one
accessible
package.

No wonder it's so popular.

I finished LOVE THAT DOG by Sharon Creech in one sitting and I loved loved loved it! It is written in free verse and is a one-sided story from Jack written to his teacher about poetry. Jack writes about his yellow dog whom he loved loved loved. I've already started the next one HATE THAT CAT.

Jack hates poetry but loves his dog. His teacher insists the whole class, including Jack, write a poem each week. "Love That Dog" is way better than "Diary of a Wimpy Kid".