Mountain Dog

How would you feel if your Mom was sent to jail and you were sent to live with a great-uncle you'd never met? I know I'd feel scared. Mountain Dog is the story of Tony's adaptation to a new life with the help of a kind community and a loving dog named Gabe. Gabe helps Tony learn to live in the present, enjoy the moment and celebrate life.

I am amazed by Margarita Engle's ability to write from both a young boy's and a dog's point of view. Both voices are honest and real. Dogs can sense people's moods and feelings. Engle brings this to life in her potent verse:

"Gabe the Dog: Togetherness"
"I don't understand sadness,
but I can smell the way it make
they boy feel unnaturally heavy,
so that his breath doesn't seem
to be made
of air."

Tony's show more sadness about his Mom is vivid in Engle's words:

"Now, at night, my dreams
are filled with the spiky fences
around fighting-dog kennels

and the electrified ones
around prisons

and the wall between Mom's mind
and mine."

Share Mountain Dog with friends and family, young and old, for an exceptional reading and life experience. show less

**Some Possible Spoilers Depending on how you define 'spoiler'**

MOUNTAIN DOG is one of those few books that while I'm reading it I think 'Lit Class'. What I mean by that is that I would have much rather have read and discussed this book in English class than the Red Badge of Courage.

One reason I like the book --from a school sort of focus-- is that it's not overly long. Second it's told in a prose form that's a little different, and to top it off it's a story that I think is going to appeal to both genders. And finally, there is simply a lot to discuss. Possible topics range from dog fighting and animal rights, to prose format, immigration, a parent in prison, to nature, and healing.
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The story is about a boy who's mom is not a good show more person. She is, in fact, just arrived in jail as the book begins for fighting pit bulls. She's the type of disgusting person that dragged her sweet son into this wretched world of dog baiting/killing; the type of person that has a tattooed tear for every dog of hers that died in a fight.

But the story only touches upon her peripherally, for the tale revolves around this boy who has been hurt by his mother, and the uncle and dog who tries to help heal him. I won't say more except to say that the narrative is divided between that of the boy, and that of the Uncle's dog, Gabe.

Which brings me to what worked for me, and didn't, and the dilemma I have as far as a Star Rating.

The boy's side of the story totally worked for me. I could feel and understand his confusion and fear. It was palpable how conflicted he was about his mother. He wants to see her, for example, but not every want to go back to live with her.

What didn't work for me so well was the dog's side of the story. The author, Margarita Engle, tried to give a 'flavor' to the dogs' unique nose-oriented view of the world. But her choice of expression, implying that smells could rhyme, just didn't work for me.

HOWEVER, I think that a younger mind --which I certainly don't have -- might be excited and interested in such a representation.

4 to 4.5 Stars for MOUNTAIN DOG. The rescue aspect of the book is fascinating and the story, while low key, kept my interest.

Pam T~ show less

Lots of good themes in this book -- Tony is struggling to come to terms with his new foster placement with a great-uncle he didn't know when his mom goes to prison for running a dog fighting ring. Things I loved: in verse, talks about toxic emotions and how to choose what will rule you, Tony's connection to the dog, Gabe, and his newfound sense of pleasure in helping people, watching him gain confidence in both writing and math, the strength of the new found family connection and discovering about his immigrant heritage. Quite accessible and the animal connection is appealing, as its the peace he discovers in mountain/trail life. Things that weren't as strong for me: the dog point of view poems, the pacing -- sometimes becomes show more internal/atmospheric and a little slow. Great messages, though. show less

After Tony's mother goes to jail for running pit bull fighting rings, a social worker discovers a (previously unknown to him) great uncle for Tony to life with. His Tio Leo, a forest ranger, lives near the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) with his SAR (Search and Rescue) dog, Gabe. Tony has led a very unhappy life with little love in it, but slowly, as his Tio shows him how to train SAR dogs and teaches him about the wildlife biology along the PCT, Tony slowly starts to open up. One of the biggest events in the story is when Tony starts looking for a missing hound dog and hunter and gets lost himself.
There are a lot of different subplots - Tio Leo and Tony's mother were both immigrants who escaped from Cuba. Although, he doesn't know much show more about his family's history, toward the end of the book, Tony realizes he would like to know more about his heritage. Tony's mother is a very selfish character. She does have one scene where Tony thinks she might change, but for the most part she hurts his feelings by refusing to even show up for his visits. Finally, in school Tony doesn't think he will do well, but by forming a friendship with his bossy classmate Gracie, he starts to grow confident in his abilities and even starts a blog to teach others about wilderness survival skills. show less

I enjoyed reading this book. It is different than other books as it is written in verse/poetry style, and the wording on each page is less than other books.

Easy to read and real issues. Here's what holds me back: the language didn't ring true to me. Almost, but not quite. Still, I intend to recommend it to my grands. An 11 year old neighbor boy recommended it to me, so that is high praise!

A complicated story inventively and thoughtfully told, and certainly one fans of dog stories will thoroughly enjoy.