Status
Coming Soon
Call number
Collection
Publication
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (2007), 176 pages
Description
Living in the family car in their small North Carolina town after their father leaves them virtually penniless, Georgina, desperate to improve their situation and unwilling to accept her overworked mother's calls for patience, persuades her younger brother to help her in an elaborate scheme to get money by stealing a dog and then claiming the reward that the owners are bound to offer.
User reviews
LibraryThing member bimrich
serious topic, living in car, mother, daughter & son-Toby, father left, Georgina Hayes, problems at school, reward for dog, dog-Willy, Carmella's dog, she helps them, dog disappears from where they are keeping it
LibraryThing member lindamamak
How do you deal with life when your father walks away and your life changes. Suddenly you live in a car with you Mother and brother and you try to sort out your life. Try stealing a dog to get reward to help your Mother out. But you discover the it isn't that simple.
LibraryThing member JRlibrary
Most adults understand right and wrong. Lying, cheating, stealing - all wrong. But to an adolescent, the answers are not always black and white. Is it okay to lie to avoid a punishment or hurting someone's feelings? Is it okay to cheat if it helps you get ahead? Is it okay to steal if you really,
In "How to Steal a Dog" by Barbara O'Connor what Georgina Hayes really wants is to stop living with her mom and brother out of a car.She decides on a fairly simple scheme; find a dog belonging to a rich owner, steal it, wait for the reward signs to be posted, return the dog, and collect the money. Stealing is okay in that situation, isn't it? After all, what could go wrong? O'Connor does a fantastic job of creating empathy for Georgina in her homeless state The reader is with Georgina every step of the way while she wrestles with the dilemma of trying to improve her circumstances at the cost of ignoring her moral compass. Be sure to have this available for junior/intermediate students. They'll love it.
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really want something you can't get any other way? In "How to Steal a Dog" by Barbara O'Connor what Georgina Hayes really wants is to stop living with her mom and brother out of a car.She decides on a fairly simple scheme; find a dog belonging to a rich owner, steal it, wait for the reward signs to be posted, return the dog, and collect the money. Stealing is okay in that situation, isn't it? After all, what could go wrong? O'Connor does a fantastic job of creating empathy for Georgina in her homeless state The reader is with Georgina every step of the way while she wrestles with the dilemma of trying to improve her circumstances at the cost of ignoring her moral compass. Be sure to have this available for junior/intermediate students. They'll love it.
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LibraryThing member lcherylc
Georgina Hayes desperately needs money. Georgina, her mom, and brother are homeless and live in their car. Georgina sees a poster for a missing dog and gets the idea to steal a dog to collect the reward money.
I'd highly recommend reading this book especially if you are a dog-lover. Georgina, the
I'd highly recommend reading this book especially if you are a dog-lover. Georgina, the
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"underdog" struggles to help her family while trying to do the "right thing." This book is recommended for grades 3 and up. Show Less
LibraryThing member alliek710
This is a good fiction novel for children, to help them open their minds to the struggles other children face. I'd probably use this during a diversity lesson or a moral lesson.
LibraryThing member ilovezeppe
Georgina Hays and her family, mother and brother Toby, are struggling financially and are forced to live in the car. Cute book filled with lifes struggles and how this single parent family is able to cope and push through trying times. Homelessness, learning valueable lessons even during the
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toughest of times, and devising a brilliant...or not so brilliant master plan to steal a dog; this book is undeniably a quick read. Great interactions among the family and new friends Georgina meets on her journey of ups and downs. Show Less
LibraryThing member anniecase
I found this to be a tear-jerker. O'Connor has a knack for depicting extreme poverty. She makes kids think about tough issues and realize that things are not black-and-white. It's an easy enough read, but it also really has something to say.
LibraryThing member LDB2009
This is a book I started reading for an assignment but it turned out to be a great book. I really enjoyed it and I am reading it to my fourth-grade class. Georgina's life is such a struggle and then she comes up with the idea of stealing a dog for the reward money. The idea consumes her but her
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conscience fights with her the whole time. She meets people on the way who help her see the light. She finally comes clean and feels much better about her life and herself. Oh, and she also moves from living in her mom's car to a home with her own room. For the most part, the story is one kids can relate to and I expect it will inspire some interesting conversations among my students. Show Less
LibraryThing member toddphillips77
Although she is breaking the law Georgina is also breaking the reader's hearts with her tragic circumstances which have turned her into a criminal. She does in the end learn that she already knew right from wrong with the help of two well developed and believable supporting characters.
LibraryThing member debnance
Georgina’s father has left and now she and her mother and little brother are homeless. Her mother ekes out a precarious living working two jobs, but it is not enough to get an apartment. Georgina is desperate to find a way to get enough money to move out of their car and comes upon the idea of
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stealing a dog and turning the dog into the owner for the reward money. She carefully plots a plan to steal a dog. Of course nothing goes as she has planned. The dog’s owner is not the wildly affluent woman Georgina has thought her to be and the owner is distraught at the loss of her dog. Georgina has to decide to carry out her original plan or to find a way to return the dog to her owner. Show Less
LibraryThing member mbuch
Georgina is a desperate young girl who wants more than anything to move out of the car she, her little brother and mother are living in. Georgina narrates this funny, exciting story as she plots, plans, and executes her thoughtful plan to steel a dog in order to receive a reward of $500. Although
The rules and ideas Georgina keeps in her notebook are witty and easy to relate to, and her words creatively display her values and wisdom about people.
Although this story has a depressing setting, homeless and living out of a car, the book's realistic elements are enlightening.
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stealing is wrong, and Georgina knows it is wrong, she pushes her thoughts aside to do what needs to be done. The rules and ideas Georgina keeps in her notebook are witty and easy to relate to, and her words creatively display her values and wisdom about people.
Although this story has a depressing setting, homeless and living out of a car, the book's realistic elements are enlightening.
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LibraryThing member chrisssve
How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O’Connor is a story that is both sad and funny. Georgina Hayes lives with her mom and little brother Toby. It wasn’t so long ago that her dad lived with them too, but he took off suddenly one day, leaving them with not enough money to pay the rent. Now, they are
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forced to live in their car, while her mom tries to find work and save enough money to get them back into a real home. At school, Georgina covers up the truth of her situation. She tries to keep up, but over time her appearance and grades both get worse. Then, one day, she sees a sign for a lost dog with a reward for $500 and that gives her an idea to steal a dog, hide it and collect her own substantial reward. The perfect solution to their homelessness! Even though she knows it’s wrong, when she finds a cute little dog with personality plus named Willy, she decides that he’s the perfect dog to steal and carry out her plan. Once she has Willy, she’s in over her head and she needs to find a way out! Show Less
LibraryThing member shomskie
How To Steal A Dog was an emotional rollercoaster. The characters made you feel like you were right there with them. The sad part was that there was nothing I (the reader) could do. The story was based on a family who became homeless. Little Georgina, her little brother Toby, and her Mother were
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abandoned by there Father/Husband. They were left with nothing but there old car. Georgina's Mother went from job to job making barely any money. Georgina wanted a house so bad she decided to steal a dog and get a reward for it when she returned it. She found Willy who belonged to Carmella Whitmore. Unfortunately she was not rich and did not have the money for the reward. After a conscience battle with herself she finally admitted to what she had done and learned a great lesson. It was a wonderful story. Show Less
LibraryThing member caroljeanr
characters and plot could be better developed
LibraryThing member sprovost
How to Steal a Dog tells the story of Georgina, a young girl whose father leaves her family with nothing but their car to live in. Georgina is left to care for her little brother Toby while her mother works to save enough money to get an apartment. Desperate to improve her family's situation,
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Georgina decides her only option is to steal a dog (or 'borrow' the dog) in order to collect the reward money. Throughout the story, she keeps a journal to plan out her steps of 'how to steal a dog.' Throughout the story, Georgina struggles with the decision and what to do in the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member GaylDasherSmith
Here we see the plight of the homeless through the eyes of a girl desperate to have a bed of her own. A crisis of conscience would be a spingboard for rich discussion.
LibraryThing member storyteller200
A very cute and well written story. O Connor has a wonderful voice, and I can imagine fifth grade students warming to her humor. The book poses an issue of honesty and teaches kids about the importance of doing the right thing, even when its hard, without being preachy. I really enjoyed this one a
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lot! Show Less
LibraryThing member leigh.spiering
The struggle that this family is going through is easily related to by many of young people today. Showing how the economy has affected many families and the hardships endured by the the children helps people be more sympathetic to the situation.
LibraryThing member sgcallaway1994
This was a mid-range priced download for $6.99. I was drawn to the book because of the endearing synopsis. (Children's stories have always been a big draw for me - even as a grown up). Georgina, a 12 year old sixth grader, is stuck in a horrible situation, her father up and left her family with
Book Discussion: This story is recommended for readers ages 9-12. I believe it is as advertised, a perfect fit book for boys and girls alike in this age bracket. The author's writing style was very believable. I loved the way her words flowed and she brought the story to life. Geogenia, the main character was very likable. I felt genuinely sorry for her and her family's plight. It even had me nearly convinced that maybe stealing this dog wasn't exactly wrong in this particular case. The author wove a compelling story of how sometimes "bad times can make a person do bad things". Does this make it OK? Should someone be allowed to break the law, if its for a good cause? This book is chalked full of life lessons and would be very thought provoking for any young reader. A delightful "tail", I strongly recommend this book for both young readers and the young at heart!
Extra Goodies: Here's a link to the author's website.
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nothing but "three roles of quarters and a mayonnaise jar full of wadded-up dollar bills." When Mama can't come up with enough money to pay the rent, Toby and Georgina are forced to live in their "nasty old car". Humiliated with her unkempt appearance and current situation, Georgina tries desperately to keep her predicament a secret. It all comes to a head, though, when her best friend, Luanne discovers she now lives in a car. That is the exact day Georgina decided to steal a dog and devise a plan to help her family. But its not going to be as easy as she thinks!Book Discussion: This story is recommended for readers ages 9-12. I believe it is as advertised, a perfect fit book for boys and girls alike in this age bracket. The author's writing style was very believable. I loved the way her words flowed and she brought the story to life. Geogenia, the main character was very likable. I felt genuinely sorry for her and her family's plight. It even had me nearly convinced that maybe stealing this dog wasn't exactly wrong in this particular case. The author wove a compelling story of how sometimes "bad times can make a person do bad things". Does this make it OK? Should someone be allowed to break the law, if its for a good cause? This book is chalked full of life lessons and would be very thought provoking for any young reader. A delightful "tail", I strongly recommend this book for both young readers and the young at heart!
Extra Goodies: Here's a link to the author's website.
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LibraryThing member anneklee
This was a great book about the struggles that everyday families face, and the ways the children are affected. The main character in this book comes up with an idea to steal a dog in hopes of obtaining the reward money to help her mother. The family is currently living in their car. The story show
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bravery and determination and maturity that the girl faces. Show Less
LibraryThing member katieginn
This book was about a young girls journey through life, living out of a car with her mother and brother struggling to get by. She decides one day to steal a dog so she can get a "reward" and pay for a home for her family. However her plan does not seem to go as she expected, and ends up learning a
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valuable lesson about life. Show Less
LibraryThing member Pangle
*Novel
*Fiction
This is a heartfelt story of desperation told from the point of view of a little girl who is homeless. After her father left, Georgina, her brother Toby and their mother were left with nothing. Living out of their car, wondering where the next meal would come from and constantly
*Fiction
This is a heartfelt story of desperation told from the point of view of a little girl who is homeless. After her father left, Georgina, her brother Toby and their mother were left with nothing. Living out of their car, wondering where the next meal would come from and constantly
Show More
searching for a way “out”, Georgina decides that she has to do something to help her family get money. After seeing a sign for a lost dog, offering a reward of $500, Georgina has an idea. She’ll steal a beloved dog from a wealthy family, return it and collect the reward money. Then she and her family would have enough money to move out of their car and into a real house. What she doesn’t expect is how much she’ll learn about herself and life during her quest. Show Less
LibraryThing member ALelliott
For Readers:
This is a sweet, sad story about Georgina Hayes, who, along with her mother and little brother, has to live in a car. Ridiculed by kids at school and exhausted by her living situation, Georgina hatches a plan to earn reward money by stealing a dog. As she tries to go through with her
For Librarians and Teachers:
This is a great little book to recommend to kids who both love and hate to read. Kids will be able to identify with Georgina's moral struggles, whether they identify with her living conditions or not. The book is very well-written, and a great example of dialect. This book is appropriate for all readers. Lower level readers may struggle with following the plot or understanding why certain things happen when they do, but with some scaffolding, they should be able to follow along. This book would generate some great discussions about about homelessness, poverty, and whether extreme situations can excuse people from doing things they might not usually do.
Reading Level: 5th grade and up
Appropriateness: You can feel comfortable recommending this book to just about anyone
Who would like it: kids who like stories about "real life" and tales of other kids, plus any dog lovers (don't worry, it has a happy ending)
This is a sweet, sad story about Georgina Hayes, who, along with her mother and little brother, has to live in a car. Ridiculed by kids at school and exhausted by her living situation, Georgina hatches a plan to earn reward money by stealing a dog. As she tries to go through with her
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plan, she meets some colorful people and animals, including one very special little dog. Because it is a dog story, it might make you cry (what is it about dog stories?) but it will also make you laugh. Georgina is a wonderfully drawn character; you may not like her actions, but you always understand why she does what she does. An especially poignant story in this time of economic crisis.For Librarians and Teachers:
This is a great little book to recommend to kids who both love and hate to read. Kids will be able to identify with Georgina's moral struggles, whether they identify with her living conditions or not. The book is very well-written, and a great example of dialect. This book is appropriate for all readers. Lower level readers may struggle with following the plot or understanding why certain things happen when they do, but with some scaffolding, they should be able to follow along. This book would generate some great discussions about about homelessness, poverty, and whether extreme situations can excuse people from doing things they might not usually do.
Reading Level: 5th grade and up
Appropriateness: You can feel comfortable recommending this book to just about anyone
Who would like it: kids who like stories about "real life" and tales of other kids, plus any dog lovers (don't worry, it has a happy ending)
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LibraryThing member vadnama
The book essentially asks the readers whether or not extraordinarily bad circumstances are an excuse for bad behavior. It's a morality tale for fifth graders.
LibraryThing member Schuman
This is the story about a little girl named Georgina and her brother Tolby, whose father walked out on them leaving them with nothing but an old car to sleep in. Georgina sees a lost dog/ reward $500. sign and out of desperation Georgina sets out to steal a dog to get enough money for an apartment.
Once they have the dog they care for it, and love it while waiting for the reward sign to go up. After a couple days of no signs they run into the owner and find that she is not rich at all. They tell the lady, Carmella, that they will help look for the dog. Georgina can't get rid of the nagging feeling she has because she knows how wrong it was to steal the dog and sees how distraught Carmella is without her dog. They meet a homeless man, named Mookie, who is camping out where they have the dog hidden and he really gets Georgina thinking. She asks why is he is homeless and he tells her that we always works, but not always for money, this puzzles Georgina so she asks why work for free and he responds that sometimes somebody needs something more than he does. Goergina still doesn't really understand. Mookie two motto's he shares with her, the first is "sometimes the more you stir the pot, the stinkier it gets" and the other is " the road behind you is often more important than the road in front of you" In the end she figures out what Mookie's motto's really meant and not only returned the dog but owned up to what she did by telling Carmella the truth.
I loved this story, it shows that in desperation we often make bad choices but it is never to late to correct them. I think kids of all ages would like this book. It would be great for discussing the choices we make, the consequences, and owning up to both.
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Georgina makes a list of how to steal a dog. Her and her brother follow the list but find that it is not as easy as they thought. They finally find what they thought was the perfect dog, one that doesn't bark, bite, the owner has enough money to pay a reward and is truly loved. Once they have the dog they care for it, and love it while waiting for the reward sign to go up. After a couple days of no signs they run into the owner and find that she is not rich at all. They tell the lady, Carmella, that they will help look for the dog. Georgina can't get rid of the nagging feeling she has because she knows how wrong it was to steal the dog and sees how distraught Carmella is without her dog. They meet a homeless man, named Mookie, who is camping out where they have the dog hidden and he really gets Georgina thinking. She asks why is he is homeless and he tells her that we always works, but not always for money, this puzzles Georgina so she asks why work for free and he responds that sometimes somebody needs something more than he does. Goergina still doesn't really understand. Mookie two motto's he shares with her, the first is "sometimes the more you stir the pot, the stinkier it gets" and the other is " the road behind you is often more important than the road in front of you" In the end she figures out what Mookie's motto's really meant and not only returned the dog but owned up to what she did by telling Carmella the truth.
I loved this story, it shows that in desperation we often make bad choices but it is never to late to correct them. I think kids of all ages would like this book. It would be great for discussing the choices we make, the consequences, and owning up to both.
Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Nebraska Golden Sower Award (Nominee — 2010)
Texas Bluebonnet Award (Nominee — 2009)
Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Award (Nominee — 2011)
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 2011)
Massachusetts Children's Book Award (Honor — 2010)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades 3-5 — 2009)
Sasquatch Book Award (Nominee — 2010)
William Allen White Children's Book Award (Nominee — Grades 3-5 — 2010)
South Dakota Children's Book Awards (Nominee — 2010)
Bluestem Award (3rd Place — 2011)
Nēnē Award (Nominee — 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
NCSLMA Battle of the Books (Elementary — 2019)
Rhode Island Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2009)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee — Grades 4-6 — 2009)
Colorado Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2010)
Maud Hart Lovelace Award (Nominee — 2011)
Surrey Schools’ Book of the Year (Winner — 2011)
South Carolina Book Awards (Winner — Children's Book Award — 2009)
CCBC Choices (2008)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
8.14 inches
ISBN
0374334978 / 9780374334970