Letters From a Desperate Dog by Eileen Christelow

Eileen Christelow has written a number of humorous children's books including the popular 5 Little Monkeys series and The Five-Dog Night.  In 2006, Christelow published Letters From a Desperate Dog. This book was different from her previous work.  Drawing from her husband's experiences with their dog, she tells the story of Emma in a comic strip form of writing.

The story lends itself perfectly to this graphic novel format.  Emma, the dog, desperate for her owner, George's approval, gets herself into all sorts of trouble.  She enlists the help of a famous dog columnist, who eventually suggests Emma get a job.  This little mutt find a job in acting and travels the country.  When returning to her hometown for a performance George finds Emma and the two are reunited.  Eventually, each learns to love the other in spite of the ways they disappoint each other.

Letters From a Desperate Dog is sprinkled with letters in the form of emails to and from Emma.  This book would be a perfect introduction into a letter writing unit.  The text is filled with suffixes making it a great pairing for explicit vocabulary instruction.  

Vocabulary: desperate, unreasonable, on my nerves, woes, scrounge, canine, column, unappreciated, responsibilities, advice, vigilant, evidence, shape up, misunderstood, tirades, amiable, disposition, familiar, unpredictable

Close Reading Questions:
How do we know that Emma and George see each situation differently?
Why would Emma have been better off just napping on the couch? p. 11
Is Emma unappreciated? Why do you think so? p. 12
Does Queenie give good advice? Why or why not? p. 21
Why does Emma want George to come to her performance?  How we know? p. 24
Does Emma want to do naughty things? p. 29