80 pages • 2 hours read
Barbara O'ConnorHow to Steal a Dog
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2007A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor follows Georgina Hayes, an adolescent girl who, after her family is evicted and becomes homeless, devises a plan to steal a dog to claim the reward money in hopes of securing a new home for her family. The novel portrays Georgina's moral struggles, interactions with her community, and the eventual resolution through kindness and understanding.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor centers on themes of family, poverty, and moral dilemmas, providing a compelling narrative for young readers. The book excels in character development and realistic portrayals of hardship, but some critics feel the plot resolution is too simplistic. Overall, it is praised for addressing difficult issues with sensitivity and empathy.
Who Should Read How to Steal a Dog?
A reader who would enjoy How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor is likely a middle-grade student (ages 8-12) who appreciates heartwarming, realistic stories about family, friendship, and moral dilemmas. Fans of Kate DiCamillo’s Because of Winn-Dixie and Sharon Creech’s Walk Two Moons will find this book engaging.
RecommendedReading Age
8-12yearsLexile Level
700LBook Details
Realistic Fiction
Children's Literature
Animals
Class
Society: Class
Natural World: Animals
Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies