A Dog's Purpose
By: W. Bruce Comeron
Grades 6-8
This novel, told from a dog’s perspective, has the highest reader-ranking of any recent New York Times Bestseller.
Probably what makes this story so beloved and unique is that it is told from the perspective of a real dog — that is, not a dog who understands English or talks to other dogs or animals. Often, this results in hilarious misunderstandings — just as in real life.
Also: it is not a story where at the end of the book the dog dies. That’s not a spoiler alert because the entire premise of the novel is that the dog never dies—he keeps being reborn, remembering each life, learning lessons from each life that help him with the next one. Eventually, he comes to conclude there must be a purpose, a reason for him to be reborn, and until he has figured out that purpose, he’ll keep being reborn, over and over again.
If you love dogs, or know someone who does, you can’t go wrong with A Dog’s Purpose.
By: W. Bruce Comeron
Grades 6-8
This novel, told from a dog’s perspective, has the highest reader-ranking of any recent New York Times Bestseller.
Probably what makes this story so beloved and unique is that it is told from the perspective of a real dog — that is, not a dog who understands English or talks to other dogs or animals. Often, this results in hilarious misunderstandings — just as in real life.
Also: it is not a story where at the end of the book the dog dies. That’s not a spoiler alert because the entire premise of the novel is that the dog never dies—he keeps being reborn, remembering each life, learning lessons from each life that help him with the next one. Eventually, he comes to conclude there must be a purpose, a reason for him to be reborn, and until he has figured out that purpose, he’ll keep being reborn, over and over again.
If you love dogs, or know someone who does, you can’t go wrong with A Dog’s Purpose.
Activity One
Create a time line for "A Dog's Purpose" including each dog's name and owner. Write a brief description. Use the attached form. |
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Activity Two
I’m not for sure if you’ve seen it or not, but there is also a movie entitled “A Dog’s Purpose” that was out recently. Watch/rewatch the movie and compare the book to the movie. Choose at least five ways in which you think the book is better than the movie, and create a poster that shows me the ways in which you think it was better. I hope you agree with me, books are ALWAYS better!!
I’m not for sure if you’ve seen it or not, but there is also a movie entitled “A Dog’s Purpose” that was out recently. Watch/rewatch the movie and compare the book to the movie. Choose at least five ways in which you think the book is better than the movie, and create a poster that shows me the ways in which you think it was better. I hope you agree with me, books are ALWAYS better!!
Activity Three
Research and discuss man's relationships to animals; the empathy men can feel for vulnerability in other species; how we use animals to manage our lives, and how we judge our own lives and "purpose." In addition, reflect and speculate on the author's purpose for choosing the different breeds of dogs to serve different purposes in the book. Your writing should be at least a half page long, and can be many different things depending on your love for animals and especially dogs.
Research and discuss man's relationships to animals; the empathy men can feel for vulnerability in other species; how we use animals to manage our lives, and how we judge our own lives and "purpose." In addition, reflect and speculate on the author's purpose for choosing the different breeds of dogs to serve different purposes in the book. Your writing should be at least a half page long, and can be many different things depending on your love for animals and especially dogs.
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