A Dog Called Kitty

Summary: In this novel, the main character is a boy named Ricky. He struggles with a fear of dogs and does not have the best relationship with his father. When he was younger, he was bitten by a dog that was considered ‘mad’. In result, he had to have stitches done and receive shots 12 times in his stomach, which burned and hurt him terribly. Due to the incident, he is afraid of all dogs. His father doesn’t think he should still be afraid of dogs anymore and does not exhibit empathy. A stray pup mixes in with the kittens at the farm whenever Ricky’s mom calls for supper time for the felines. The kittens usually eat everything before the pup can satisfy his hunger. Ricky eventually faces his fears of dogs by caring for the pup that was malnourished. His parents knew that he was stealing table scraps for the puppy, but never said anything. He eventually overcomes his fear of the pup.

Bib Info: Wallace, B. (1980). A dog called kitty. New York, NY: Holiday House.

Interest Level: 3-6

Impression: The book was realistic throughout and it seemed like the events within the story could really happen. I have known people who are afraid of dogs and overcome their fear of them. I think that students could relate to overcoming a fear of dogs, understanding how dogs and humans relate and show their love, and what it is like to be bullied or witness a friend be bullied. I really enjoyed this book and around chapter seven could not put it down. It became suspenseful and I had to know what happened in the end.

Reviews and Awards: Golden Sower Awards (Nebraska): Grades 4-6, Texas Bluebonnet Award, Booklist, School Library Journal, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Reviews: You must admit Kitty is a very strange name for a dog, even in Oklahoma. Not only does Kitty have a very strange name, but he also is in the strange and precarious circumstance of having only one chance of survival as a puppy. He must convince a young boy, who is absolutely terrified of all dogs, to save him. Ricky’s a good kid, but was hurt by a vicious dog as a very young child. It’s fortunate for Kitty that dogs, and puppies in particular, can cast a sort of spell when they find their special people, be they boys, girls, or adults, i.e. special people who are capable of caring. Once the dog-person bond is formed, almost anything can happen. Kitty and Ricky find that out the hard way.
P Rybinksi. (2011, Jan 1). A dog called kitty by Bill Wallace. [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://www.dogmomma.com/a-dog-called-kitty

Grade 3-5. Bill Wallace's story (Holiday, 1980) of the bonding between a boy and a dog is not to be missed. This presentation, read by L.J. Ganser, is so softly dramatic that it not only captures the essence of gentle emotion but essentially transports readers to the Oklahoma farm where Ricky exhibits courage beyond belief. Ricky is terrified by dogs because as a toddler he was mercilessly mauled by a rabid dog and left to die. Sixty-three stitches later with no anesthesia, Ricky is scarred with the emotional and physical memories that constantly recall his tragedy. The softness of Ganser's voice reflects the softness of Ricky's heart when a puppy is left to starve because he responds with a little of kittens for food but is rejected. Hence, the name Kitty. Ricky musters all his courage and feeds the puppy, building a closeness that only friends realize and conquering his all-consuming fear. With Ricky, readers suffer the loss and feel the anguish when Kitty is accidentally killed at an oil rig. Hope, however, still prevails and happiness does come through sorrow. Ganser brings life and emotion to a powerful story with his dramatic rendition. This touching and encouraging story add a further dimension to the significance of boy and dog relationships, and should be high on public and school library priority lists.
Mahoney Brown, P. [Review of the book A dog called kitty by B. Wallace]. (1997). School Library Journal. Retrieved from: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Use in library setting: This book could be used in a book club because it would allow for excellent discussion on compassion, fears, and responsibility.