A Dog Called Homeless

Fifth-grader Cally Fisher stops speaking on the one-year anniversary of her mother's death. She begins seeing her mother's spirit, but no one believes her when she tries to tell them. A large white dog starts appearing in Cally's life at key moments, seeming to understand and comfort her during difficult times. She also forms a friendship with Sam, a boy who is deaf and blind, and finds new ways to communicate without words. Through her connections with the dog, Sam, and her family, Cally navigates grief, change, and the challenges of finding her voice again. This story explores themes of loss, friendship, and the different ways people express themselves and connect with others.

Readers describe this middle-grade novel as a sensitive portrayal of grief, friendship, and healing. Parents and teachers note it helps children understand loss and selective mutism. Readers appreciated: - The realistic depiction of a child processing grief - The dog's role without becoming overly sentimental - Clear, accessible writing for ages 8-12 - Positive representation of a character with disability Common criticisms: - Pacing feels slow in the middle sections - Some found the supernatural elements jarring - A few readers wanted more resolution with secondary characters Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (175+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Notable reader comments: "Perfect for kids dealing with loss" - Goodreads reviewer "My students were deeply moved" - Teacher on Amazon "The magical realism wasn't necessary" - School librarian review "Helped my daughter understand her grief" - Parent reviewer

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🐾 The author, Sarah Lean, worked as a page planner for a newspaper, a stencil maker, and a gardener before becoming a children's book writer. 🌟 The book deals sensitively with selective mutism, a complex anxiety disorder that affects about 1% of children. 🏆 A Dog Called Homeless won the Schneider Family Book Award in 2013, which recognizes authors who embody the disability experience in their work. 🐕 The ghost dog in the story was inspired by true accounts of therapy dogs who visit hospitals and care facilities to comfort patients. 👥 The character of Sam, who is deafblind, was carefully researched through consultation with deafblind organizations to ensure authentic representation.