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How to Steal a Dog a YA (young adult) novel by Barbara O’Connor is about a young girl, Georgina Hayes, whose family has been living in their car after they were evicted from their apartment. With her mother working two jobs, Georgina tries to figure out how to get some money while looking after her younger brother. She spots a missing-dog poster and schemes a way to “borrow” a dog and get sone reward money of her own. For ages 9 to 12.

Even though How to Steal a Dog deals with the heavy subject of homelessness, it has the feel of an adventure. Georgia has to use her wits, bravery and intelligence to get out of embarrassing and scary situations.

I found How to Steal a Dog very entertaining and unlike many YA novels, there weren’t any taboo subjects like religion, abuse, sex or drugs. Instead, it was a heartwarming story that tells kids to follow their conscience and do what they think (and have been tought) is right.

Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, the book has won a 2007 Parents Choice Recommended Award. The Barbara O’Connor website includes a discussion guide PDF.

Homemade Dog Biscuits

During the pet food recalls I posted a recipe for dog biscuits. Kids get a real kick out of making treats for their four-legged friends. You could also donate a batch to your local food shelter (call first to make sure they’ll take homemade treats).

Gourmet Sleuth has a great selection of dog biscuit recipes. So does Two Dog Press. Dogaware.com has recipes for all kinds of doggie treats including Liver Brownies. Ewwww! I certainly won’t be tempted to lick the bowl when making that recipe.

Check out Amazon for fund dog biscuit cookie cutters, too!

(Click here for more YA novel reviews.)

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