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Bound for Home
Last updated Monday, July 7, 2025
Author: Meika Hashimoto
Date of Publication: 2022
ISBN: 1338572229
Grade Level: 4th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jul. 2025
Synopsis:
From the moment Emi walks into the animal shelter, she knows the dopey-looking dog with the sandy-colored hair is the dog for her. Despite Max's many escape attempts and inability to be trained, she chooses him.
When Emi's home life starts to crumble, she takes off into the Maine woods with Max at her side, determined to prove that she can make it on her own. But they immediately lose each other, and one catastrophe after another shows that they're totally unprepared to handle the wilderness. Wild animals, hunger, and an impossible trail to track mean that each must do whatever it takes to stay alive - but what happens when they have to choose between getting back to safety... and looking out for a friend? Can loyalty be as strong as the will to survive?
| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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Start off by introducing the main characters from the book. The book’s chapters are titled with each character’s name. It leads you into their story when reading each chapter. Try and read through Chapter 5 (Red) so the children get to know all the main characters.
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The Characters: (1) Emi is a young girl who has experienced loss and instability in her life, leading her to seek a sense of belonging. (2) Max is a shelter dog who desires freedom but also forms a strong bond with Emi. (3) Red is a resourceful cat who is initially independent but learns to cooperate with Max and Emi.
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The book takes the reader through a journey of Emi's decision to run away with Max into the Maine woods proves to be a difficult one. The first five chapters introduce you to the characters and their background. When they continue to read the remaining chapters on their own, they will find out about, separation when Emi and Max get separated, forcing them to rely on their individual skills and instincts. Also, about Wilderness Hazards when they encounter wild animals, hunger, and treacherous terrain, testing their survival skills; but most importantly, friendship and loyalty when the story explores the strength of their bond as they face adversity together and must decide between returning home or continuing their solitary journey.
Vocabulary (From the first five chapters)
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Foster Family: being, relating to, or involved in a situation in which temporary care is given to an animal (such as one that is injured or awaiting adoption) in a household or similar setting
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Gobbling: to eat in a fast, greedy, and sometimes noisy way
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Gnawed: to bite or chew on again and again
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Descended: to move downward or to a lower position
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Intoxicating: something that makes you feel very excited or happy, like a fun ride or a delicious smell
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Astonished: to fill with great surprise or amazement
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Exploding: to burst out suddenly into laughter, crying, or shouting.
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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Casually talk about foster families and how good it is for some children to have foster parents. What did Emi’s foster parent do for her in this story? Did Emi want to have Max as a pet? What type of dog is Max? Why did Max want to run away? Why wasn’t Red afraid of Max? Is this an unusual friendship, why or why not?
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Craft ideas: To be posted soon ...
| Special activities: |
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A crossword puzzle for the first five chapters!
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REMINDER: if you don’t have air conditioning, on a very hot day your public library has AC to help
keep you cool.
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*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!
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