It's My Life . Family . Pets . Book List

Great Books About "Pets"

Fiction:

Because of Winn-Dixie
by Kate DiCamillo
The summer Opal and her father, a preacher, move to Naomi, Florida, Opal goes into the Winn-Dixie supermarket -- and comes out with a dog. With the help of her new pal, whom she names Winn-Dixie, Opal makes a variety of new, interesting friends and spends the summer collecting stories about them and thinking about her absent mother. But because of Winn-Dixie, or perhaps because she has grown, Opal learns to let go, just a little, and that friendship -- and forgiveness -- can sneak up on you like a sudden summer storm.

The Green Dog : A Mostly True Story
by Suzanne Fisher Staples
In the beginning, Jeff is just an imaginary dog, 10-year-old Suzanne's loyal companion, the dog she has wanted all her life but can't have because of her brother's allergies. Then one day, a black-and-tan dog, the real Jeff, appears, wandering on the median strip of the highway near her home!

The Incredible Journey
by Sheila Burnford
This tells the story of a journey by three animals -- two dogs and a Siamese cat -- in search of their family. The three house pets rely on each other to survive predators, starvation, and exposure in the Canadian wilderness.

Old Yeller
by Fred Gipson
Young Travis Coates is left to take care of the family ranch with his mother and younger brother while his father goes off on a cattle drive in the 1860's. When a yellow mongrel dog comes for an uninvited stay with the family, Travis reluctantly adopts him. Travis grows to love and respect Old Yeller, who comes to have a profound effect on the boy's life.

The Summer of Riley
by Eve Bunting
With the recent death of his grandfather and his parents' decision to separate, 11-year-old William struggles with his grief and anger until an abandoned Lab comes into his life.

Where the Red Fern Grows
by Wilson Rawls
Twelve-year-old Billy wants a dog so badly he performs odd jobs for months and saves enough to get two hunting hounds. Just as he hoped, the dogs bring him adventure, happiness, and even awards. But Billy eventually learns lessons of love, sacrifice, and grief.

The Yearling
by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
In this classic, Jody gets a special pet, a frisky fawn he calls Flag, but that's not all. With Flag comes a year of life lessons, frolicking times, and achingly hard decisions.

Non-Fiction:

Adopting Pets: How To Choose Your New Best Friend
by Bill Gutman
This book focuses on how you can help animals by giving them a good home. Readers are advised to think carefully about which pet is best suited for a particular situation and how to be a responsible owners by spaying/neutering their animals. Advice is also included for kids who want to volunteer.

Puppy Training for Kids
by Sarah Whitehead
This illustrated guide has lots of information on how dogs develop and grow, along with easy-to-understand instructions on puppy training, care, puppy handling, grooming, giving commands and teaching obedience, tricks they can teach young canines, and much more.

Are You the Pet for Me?: Choosing the Right Pet for Your Family
by Mary Jane Checci
This book spells out not only what's in store for you as a potential pet owner, but also what type of animal is best suited to your family, and even whether or not you are cut out for a pet at all.