A Dog Called Kitty

A Dog Called Kitty tells of a boy who moves to a farm outside of Chickasha, Ok., leaving a big city behind. He is horrified one night when he goes out to feed the cats and a stray dog has wondered up. Remembering being attacked by a dog when he was young, he hides in hopes of the dog running off. When his dad has to come rescue him, a huge fight ensues. Dad thinks he needs to grow up, but he just can't get past it all. He finally gets to where he doesn't run from the dog but he refuses to feed it. One day he finds the dog in the barn about to die. He is horrified at the thought of getting close to it, but he can't stand to let it die. As he begins to feed the dog to save his life, a bond is established that makes for an unforgetable show more friendship.
I had heard about Bill Wallace being a principal from Chickasha and he had written a few books that were pretty good. I guess that's how we refer to things that our fellow Oklahomans do - "pretty good". When I read this book, I was surprised at how good it really was. I don't know if I have cried any harder with a first read of a book. I felt every emotion that was happening in the book. I was totally engrossed in it the entire time. I read this book every year to my third graders. ( Usually sweet talking a co-worker read the ending.) They loved it as much as I did. I think this is a peice of literature that all students should get a chance to read. show less

This book is adorable. It is a heart warming tale about a boy and the bond he shares with an adorable little dog that he is actually afraid of at one point in the novel due to a bad accident with a former canine. Yes the book is simple and is more directed to younger kids, but I loved it and still enjoy reading it to this day. Highly recommended!

A Dog Called Kitty, is about a stray dog that finds his way into a young boy's life. The boy had been previously attacked by a dog causing him to have a great fear of them. However, while Kitty is attacked by a group of dogs, the boy overcomes his fear, and soon discovers his new best friend.

This book is a great way to show students the bond animals and humans can form. It also teaches them that your fears do not have to remain your fears. A key element of this story is the emotional factor. The reader can both empathize as well as sympathize with the struggles the young boy faces during his encounters with Kitty. The tragic death of Kitty also shows young readers that endings do not always have to "happy" or what you expect them to be. show more I would use this book to lead into a discussion about overcoming obstacles. The students can write about their fears, why they have them, and ways to move past them. It can also be used to have students discuss their own pets, where/when they got them, and the love they share. show less

This is one of those books more of a time back in the day. Stuff like Kitty starving, the dad just up and moving them all, etc is just a few of the things that scream this book is old. In this day and age most of the events would not happen because people feed and tend to strays, care for them, etc. Kitty starving isn't appropriate for kids, nor is what comes later, best read to kids at bedtime if you want some harsh reality and questions that keep you up at night.

Reads like it's all from the kid's POV/writing level.

I don't recommend despite it being a semi-classic.

Summary:
A Dog Called Kitty is the story of a boy that has a pretty healthy fear of dogs. Ricky was once attacked by a dog and it was something he never really got over. His family moves to a farm in Oklahoma and Ricky is forced to face his fear of dogs. He meats a pesky stray that hangs around the family's house and begs for food each night. The young boy tries to shoo the dog away and finally decides to nurse the dog back to health so that he can kick him off the place. However, Ricky starts to really like the dog and they become pretty good friends. Ricky was able to overcome his fears because of a stray dog he names Kitty.

Personal Reaction:
I really love Bill Wallace books but I think that this may be my favorite. It is such an show more awesome story and as the reader, you can really feel the things that Ricky is going through. There were some parts of the story that are so heart wrenching, you forget that you are reading to group of young kids. You can really get inside this story and have an emotional and personal reaction just like the characters. I think this is a really great story to share with young or older students. Especially if you know that some of them are dealing with fears of there own.

Extension Ideas:
After reading each chapter, ask the students to write a short entry in their creative writing stories. Ask them to predict what will happen or how the day's reading made them feel.

Hold a group discussion and have some of the students share what some of there fears are. How can they overcome them? What can they learn from the relationship between Ricky and Kitty? Encourage students to interact with each other during this class discussion. show less

A very heart warming story about a boy that overcomes his fear of dogs. Ricky was attacked by a dog when he was younger. Therefore, when a stray dog ends up on his land, he is less than thrilled. Ricky eventually warms up to the dog and they form a deep friendship. The theme of the book is one of overcoming your fears and loving someone enough you are willing to sacrifice anything for them.

I loved this book when I was a child and love it now. I would sit there and laugh at Bill Wallace's humorous stories. I would also find myself teary eyed at other moments.

This book would just be a great book to read to your class. I believe any child could relate to this book and would enjoy it as much as anyone else. Bill Wallace has a way with show more his writing that touches you. Extension ideas would be getting the class to write a letter to Ricky after his loss and also it would be a great time to examine our own fears as a classroom as Ricky did. show less

This book is a very sweet heart-warming tale about a little boy who did not like dogs very much. One day a stray dog comes up and the boy decided to feed him. The book shows the relationship between the boy and the dog, but at the end there is a tragic end to the poor dog named Kitty. I am an animal lover myself and I have to admit when I was read this book in fifth grade I cried. My teacher was also crying as she read this book to us. I would say this book is for older children. I remember as a child thinking this book was long. All around good sweet story.