Publishers Weekly
O'Connor (Me and Rupert Goody) blends her usual poignancy and insight in another tale set in a small North Carolina town. "The day I decided to steal a dog was the same day my best friend, Luanne Godfrey, found out I lived in a car," begins plucky Georgina. After her father "just waltzed off and left us with nothing but three rolls of quarters and a mayonnaise jar full of wadded-up dollar bills," Georgina, her mother and younger brother, Toby, were evicted from their apartment. The three now sleep in their old Chevy. Since her mother works two jobs, saving up for a place to live, Georgina takes care of Toby after school, while carefree Luanne attends ballet class and Girl Scouts with her new best friend. A poster announcing a $500 reward for a missing dog gives the heroine an idea for helping to secure lodging. She diligently writes in her notebook rules for stealing a dog, but they turn out to be more complicated than she anticipates. The devastated woman whose pet Georgina purloins (and who is not wealthy enough to furnish a reward) and a wise and caring homeless man Georgina meets also affect her plan. Speaking with at times heartbreaking honesty, this likable young narrator convincingly articulates her frustration, resentment and confusion as she comes to her decisions. O'Connor once again smoothly balances challenging themes with her heroine's strength and sense of humor. Ages 8-12. (Apr.)
Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information
School Library Journal
Gr 3-7 - Georgina and her family have been living in their car since her father left and they were evicted from their apartment. Mama is working two jobs to earn rent money and trying hard to hold things together. Desperate to help out, Georgina decides to steal a dog for the reward money, laying out the details of her plan in a diary. However, the dog's owner can't afford to offer a reward, and Georgina ends up feeling sorry for the lonely woman. The girl also makes friends with another adult named Mookie, a kindhearted wanderer who is camped out at the abandoned house where she is keeping the dog. He shares his wisdom and offers help, whether she wants it or not. Georgina's narrative is honest and deeply touching, as she recounts how she and her brother try to survive their circumstances. Washing off in a gas station restroom and turning in grease-stained homework become fairly normal occurrences. Readers will identify with the agony and the embarrassment caused by being different, as well as Georgina's struggles with her conscience. The book's endearing humor smoothes out the more poignant moments, and the unfolding events will keep youngsters totally engaged. The gem in the story is Mookie, who manages to sparkle even when sadness threatens to devour the moment. Though set inside a heavy topic, this novel's gentle storytelling carries a theme of love and emphasizes what is really right in the world.-Robyn Gioia, Bolles School, Ponte Vedra, FL
Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information
Kirkus Reviews
Georgina and younger brother Toby begin a homeless life living in Mom's car, having been evicted when Dad leaves. Mom tries her best to work two minimum-wage jobs in order to make the security deposit for a new apartment while the kids struggle daily to maintain normalcy in and out of school. Desperate to help Mom gain some significant cash, Georgina concocts a grand scheme to steal a dog, dupe the owner into offering a $500 reward and then return the designated pooch for the cash. As crazy as this sounds, O'Connor weaves a suspenseful and achingly realistic story, fleshing out characters that live and breathe anxiety, fortitude and a right vs. wrong consciousness. Colorful, supporting roles of a wise, kind vagrant and a lonely, overweight dog owner round out this story of childhood helplessness, ingenuity and desolation. Georgina's reflections in a secretly kept "how-to" journal will have kids anticipating her misconceptions about the realities of theft and deception. A powerful portrayal from an innocently youthful perspective. (Fiction. 10-12)
From the Publisher
Will keep youngsters totally engaged. This novel's gentle storytelling carries a theme of love and emphasizes what is really right in the world.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review
“This is truly Georgina's story, and to O'Connor's great credit, it's Georgina herself who figures out what's right and does it. The myriad effects of homelessness and the realistic picture of moral quandary will surely generate discussion.” —Booklist
“A suspenseful and achingly realistic story.” —Kirkus Reviews
“O'Connor knows how to spin a touching story, and reading this novel is its own reward.” —The Horn Book
“O'Connor once again smoothly balances challenging themes with her heroine's strength and sense of humor.” —Publishers Weekly
“Will give a more privileged audience much to ponder.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“A must-have for a classroom library.” —IRA
School Library Journal - Audio
Gr 3–6—Since her father left and her family was evicted from their apartment, Georgina Hayes, along with her mother and little brother, has been living in the family car. Georgina longs for space to herself, running water, unwrinkled clothes, and all of the simple things their apartment had provided. Most of all, she dreams of a home where she can invite friends over and feel like herself again. When Georgina spots a missing dog poster offering a five hundred dollar reward for the return of the pet, she hatches a plan that she believes will bring her family enough money to get back into an apartment. She decides that she'll steal a dog from a wealthy owner, wait until the reward posters go up, and then return the pooch for the reward. However, she doesn't count on the banging thump of her conscience, her love for the charming stolen dog, or her concern for the not-so-rich and lonely owner who is desperately worried about her missing pet. With all of its sweetness, this tale (Farrar, Straus, 2007) by Barbara O'Connor is surprisingly tense and never cloying. Listeners will be rooting for Georgina to do the right thing, for the little dog to be safe, and for the owner to be reunited with her pet. Suzy Jackson's narration is well-paced and she provides a unique voice for each of the characters. Georgina's personality particularly shines through, allowing listeners to hear the concern and doubt in her voice as she wades through some very difficult decisions. Those who enjoy cheering for the underdog will find plenty to relish here.–Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT
