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It's not that Charlotte hates dogs. Or that she wants all of them to disappear off the face of the planet. It's just that she doesn't see why everyone loves them so much.
So how did she get stuck taking care of a big, drooling Saint Bernard puppy? Rain or shine, hot or cold, poor Beauregard is left chained in the backyard. No one ever plays with him or checks his food and water bowls, and Charlotte can tell he's sad. So she makes sure he has water, gives him belly rubs—blech!—and feeds him every single day. But it's kind of a pain, and she knows Beauregard deserves better. There's a new girl at school who lives in a huge house—plenty of room there for a big dog.
Charlotte has an idea. Now all she needs is a plan. Maybe a lot of plans.
How do you rescue your own dog?
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By Kidsreads.com (New York, NY)
This is a dog story with a real twist: the narrator, 11-year-old Charlotte Hayes, tells us right up front that she is not a dog person. She doesn't hate them or fear them; she just doesn't go all gooey when she sees a puppy. Yet she ends up taking total care of the Saint Bernard her dad bought as a bargain. He brought the dog home, named him Killer, and then pretty much forgot about him.
Charlotte has renamed the dog Beauregard. She's the one who makes sure he has water, feeds him, and scratches his tummy. She talks to him, confiding that it's not fair he has such a boring life, chained next to a doghouse that's too small for him. It's also not fair to Charlotte, she figures, because she shouldn't have to take care of a dog at all.
But Beauregard is not Charlotte's only problem. As the story begins, her mom is suffering a terrible case of the blues. Charlotte's big sister overhears her dad telling someone that his wife has postpartum depression. Mama used to be a happy person who ran in the morning. But nine-month-old Justin Lee is still waking her up at night. Thus she is worn out and constantly cranky.
When Charlotte pleads for Beauregard to be allowed inside, Mama won't hear of it. After all, like all Saint Bernards, he drools. Daddy won't listen to Charlotte's pointed remarks about poor Beauregard's dreary life, refusing to even consider giving the dog away. He seems content to just own the dog, even though he no longer interacts with him. Charlotte can't bear it. She must figure out some way for both her and Beauregard to have a happy ending to their shared sad tale.
Grace Walters is the new girl in Charlotte's class. Beautiful and rich, she lives in a new mansion in town. Charlotte decides that Grace would be the perfect new owner for a drooling Saint Bernard. In fact, maybe Grace's father would offer Daddy a huge amount of money for Beauregard. That would solve every problem: the dog would have a wonderful home, and Daddy would also be happy. That goal pushes Charlotte to make friends with the extremely shy newcomer. And when Grace invites her over, she puts her plan into action. But no matter how many ideas she comes up with for Beauregard, she keeps running into major roadblocks.
Charlotte's story is often funny, but with a poignant undertone that just may cause readers to sniffle as they read to the end. Author Marlane Kennedy does a wonderful job with characters who are so realistic, the reader expects to bump into them at the grocery store. It's to her credit that easy-going Daddy is a truly likable sort, even though he is casually neglectful of Beauregard. In fact, this book has everything: a sympathetic heroine with a goal who keeps being thwarted at every turn, but doesn't give up; a distinct sense of place; unexpected alliances; and interesting secondary characters.
I found THE DOG DAYS OF CHARLOTTE HAYES to be a delightful and compelling read (I devoured it in two sittings), topped off with a satisfying conclusion. Very highly recommended.
--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon
By Anne Sharp (lancaster, ohio)
This is avery intertaining book for a pre teen. Marla Kennedy wrote this book as if she really knew about St. Bernards. It is a book that will keep the childs interest and wanting ti finish the book and find out what will happen, and it is a happy ending.
By Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States)
Charlotte Hayes is not a dog person. She tolerates them okay, but she doesn't love them the way her father and older sister do. And yet, she's the one who is taking care of the family dog, a big, friendly Saint Bernard. Poor Beauregard (or Killer, depending on who you ask) spends all day chained up in the backyard. Charlotte spends some time with him after school, but she can tell he isn't happy.
So Charlotte decides it is time for her to find a new home for the family pet. Her initial attempt is met by a family who insists they want the dog even if they won't spend any time with it. Can Charlotte come up with a plan that will reduce her family's resistance and find Beauregard a loving home?
This is truly a heart warming book from beginning to end. I'm not much of a dog person myself, but I fell under Beauregard's spell from the first chapter. Yet I was rooting for Charlotte to find him a good home without getting into too much trouble. And I will admit I had tears in my eyes at the ending.
The book includes quite a few sub-plots, which help make Charlotte's world feel even more real. Her entire family seemed quite real to me, even the baby brother. A couple of Charlotte's friends are also developed in a realistic way.
The book is targeted at late elementary school, and I'd say it is perfect for them.
I may be a tad older than that audience, but I enjoyed the book as well. It is simple but touching.
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