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Hotel For Dogs



Last updated Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Author: Lois Duncan
Date of Publication: 1971
ISBN: 0606230068
Grade Level: 4th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Aug. 2013

Synopsis: The Walkers are moving to a new town, and staying with an aunt who's allergic to dogs. Too bad for Andi and her brother Bruce, who love dogs -- and happen to meet a stray that needs help. Soon, Andi hatches a plan, turning the abandoned house down the block into a hotel for dogs. But as more and more tenants move in, the secret gets too big to keep. Can the kids save their canine castle? Or will the hotel have to close?

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Have you seen the movie, "Hotel for Dogs"?
•  What would a hotel for dogs be like?
•  If you had a hotel, would you allow pets or strays to live there? What kind of pets would you allow? Cats? Dogs? Birds?
•  What kind the responsibilities come with having a dog or other type of pet?

Vocabulary:
•  incredulously (pg 3) - skeptical; disbelieving; expressive of disbelief
•  sulking (pg 4) - To be sullenly aloof or withdrawn, as in silent resentment or protest. A mood or display of sullen aloofness or withdrawal.
•  eyesore (pg 6) - something very ugly or unpleasant to look at
•  gimmick (pg 29) - An innovative scheme employed especially to promote a project.
•  contemplating (pg 45) - To consider carefully and thoughtfully.

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Why does Andi feel resentful for not being able to bring her dog, Bebe?
•  What do you think of Jerry?
•  Do you like poetry? Have you ever written a poem?
•  Do you know anyone who has brought a stray pet home? Did they get to keep them for their own pet?

Craft ideas:
•  Design and draw your ideal pet. Include stuff the pet might want and need (toys, water & food bowls, dog house, place to sleep, collar & tags).
•  Write a poem. One form can be writing the word DOGS (or other word) vertically, then starting each line of the poem with a word that starts with each letter in DOG.

Special activities:
•  Complete the supplied "Hotel for Dogs" word search.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!