Hound Dog True

Children's fiction. Sweet story about a shy 10-11 year old girl trying to fit in. Linda Urban really brings the main characters to life (Mattie Mae and her "Director of the Custodial Arts" Uncle Potluck); the story is rich with the imagination of a 6th grader and sprinkled heavily with wonderful vocab--if he were in my family, Potluck would certainly be my favorite uncle as well.

I love Linda Urban. [b:A Crooked Kind of Perfect|1535111|A Crooked Kind of Perfect|Linda Urban|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1184859587s/1535111.jpg|1527227] is such a gem of a book, and Hound Dog True is not far behind. The plot is good but not unique - girl can't make friends because her mother moves them every time the "going gets tough". But the writing is so, so good. Urban doesn't write down to kids. In fact, there's subtlety in story that she trusts kids will pick up on. I'd hand her books to every fifth grade girl coming out of the nearby elementary school if I could afford it.

Hm. I liked it, but some bits didn't seem real. Also, I'm not sure it would make sense to the young reader in the target audience, lots of quirky metaphors. The characters are more like "Oh, she's such a character" types than people we got to actually know, though. Maybe a more cynical beta-reader than Urban had would have helped her make the book shine. It's not bad, though, and I will probably consider more by the author.

Slight and subtle, I enjoyed this volume more than Urban's previous work. Mattie Mae is a wonderful character, and her worries are very relatable. I actually could have done with another fifty pages or so, but the story ended where it should have, so that's not a real complaint. Overall, very well done.

I truly wish that I had been able to read Hound Dog True as a child. Linda Urban's writing is sweet and refreshing, heartfelt and insightful - a book for all ages to read, experience and be inspired by.

Mattie has one week to adjust before becoming the new kid in school again. She decides that maybe this time it won't be so bad if she can convince her Uncle Potluck, the custodian to her school, to let her become his apprentice in order to avoid any moments to where she would have to be forced to talk to her classmates. She is very observant and records all of their odd jobs in her notebook.
Will her idea work?

Then the neighbors niece comes into town for the week. Mattie's mother and Uncle would like them to be friends. But Mattie is show more awkward and doesn't know what to do with Quincy who looks to be older and outspoken, the complete opposite of what Mattie is.
Will Mattie be able to trust Quincy to be her friend?

Mattie's mother, although very loving and caring, is flighty and in denial. Her motto being "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." After getting some advice from Uncle Potluck, she decides that it is finally time for her and Mattie to stay put for once. That they weren't going to run anymore 'when the going gets tough'... Mattie doesn't agree at first. She is having a tough time adjusting and wants to get going... will they?

Will Mattie stay "Hound Dog True"?

It is a coming of age story of a painfully shy girl; a fifth grader who overcomes some of her fears by accepting what is, opening up and accepting how good things can be if she allows herself the opportunity.

I truly recommend reading this book! show less

Mattie's about to start fifth grade at a brand new school. She and her mom have moved almost every year, so Mattie's used to being the new kid. But after what happened last year, she's worried about making friends. Luckily, her Uncle Potluck is the custodial director at her new school, so Mattie has a plan. She'll be her uncle's custodial apprentice and then she can spend recess and lunch (all those "lawless times") helping him! However, things don't turn out as Mattie plans.

I loved the characters and the language in this book. It will definitely speak to kids who are shy about letting their hound dog truths show.

Review: http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2011/09/hound-dog-true.html

This is a great story to recommend to those students that are shy or are introverts. They will really connect with Mattie Mae in this delightful story.