Dogku

Title: Dogku    
Author: Andrew Clements  
Illustrator: Tim Bowers
Publication Date: 2007  
Genre/Format: Poetry-Fiction/Picture Book  
Summary: Clements tells the story of a stray dog that shows up at a family's back door one night.  Written in verse - haikus actually - we read about the family taking care of the dog until they have to decide if he goes to the pound or becomes a member of their family.  
What I Think: I read this book with one of my students this year and we both loved reading about having a dog - since neither of us do!  The haikus were fun and using this book was an easy way to introduce haikus. 
Read Together: Pre-K - 8 
Read Alone: 2 - 8  
Read With: Sometimes I Wonder If Poodles Like Noodles by Laura Numeroff; non-fiction about pets   
Snatch of Text: 

"There on the back steps,

the eyes of a hungry dog

Will she shut the door?"

Reading Strategies to Practice: Activating Background Knowledge, Making Predictions, Making Connections  
Writing Strategies to Practice: Poetry, Word Choice   
Writing Prompts: Write about your first pet or a pet you wish you could have.  Write a persuasive letter to you parents convincing them to get you the pet of your dreams.  Write your own haiku about your favorite pet.   
Topics Covered: Family, Animals, Love, Thoughtfulness
Translated to Spanish: No