A Dog Called Homeless: A Middle Grade Novel About Friendship, Family Healing, and a Mother's Love for Kids (Ages 8-12)

By far one of the best books I’ve ever read as an adult and teacher. This book starts slow but quickly becomes a page turner. The characters are so real. As a teacher, I always preview books before I release them to students. I am so glad I did because I pretty much cried the entire last half of the book. I’m prepared now! As a mom, I think it is a wonderful piece of literature. As a teacher, you always have to be extra cautious. It is about a mom that has died, so it might be sensitive to someone who might have just lost someone. It could also be therapeutic. It does reference beer a few times-but briefly. There is no profanity. There are some sad parts just beware. The friendship that develops is wonderful and heart warming. Sometimes it’s just nice to know this before it you pass it off to a child. Great for teaching theme, character traits, and problem and solution. I wish this would become a movie. As for readability it is an AR level of 4th grade. I love that it has short chapters because it helps students feel accomplished knowing their mastering chapters quickly.

As a children's author, an animal lover and one who just lost her mother less than a year ago, this story really hit home for me. One of my books is about coping with the loss of our beloved pets so when I was researching books on the market to help with grieving, I came across this gem and I knew I couldn't pass it up. I just turned 30 at the end of March and I can definitely say this book is beneficial for anyone who has lost their mother, no matter their age. I loved the subtle humor and when the story came all together in the end, I cried. Great style of writing from Sarah Lean. I really felt I was in Cally's mind the entire time and felt like I was seeing the world through her eyes. I imagined my mother so clearly every time she described her own. Brilliant book to help one cope.

My 8 year old son was given this book to read by his teacher because she knows he LOVES all animals, but especially dogs. Once he started, he couldn't put the book down! What a joy it was to see a child (especially mine) so engrossed in a book!!!! At the dinner table he would talk about the characters, at the bustop, in the car, etc....and he kept telling me that I would love it, too! When he finally finished it, he asked me if we could actually "buy" the hardcover book because we had to give this one back to the library and he wanted to read it "a trllion more times! ...and I still hadn't read it yet," he said! So, we did...and I did!....and I have to tell you...its a great book! I was really impressed that it wasn't your typical 3 grade book, but touched on sooooo many senses for everyone! This author made you "feel" the book....not just read it! And I was so happy that my son "got it"...the message the book was sending! Whether it be the emotions of the main characters, understanding physical handicaps of others are just that.....they're still human, how animals are more than just 4 legged creatures....they are gifts to us, and to not judge people by their appearances... be it blindness, deafness, dirty ragged clothes, etc....everyone is special and has a purpose here on earth. Read this WITH your child...they'll thank you for it!

This book was read aloud to my my nine-year old son. He would read a few pages and then I took over for a few pages. We thought it was a sweet and tender story about loss and what a young heart needs to begin to move forward. It was not as action-packed as most books my son usually reads; it tended to lag a little for a BOY his AGE. Some of the subtle and poignant content was lost on him, but overall, I would say it was a pleasant read, would recommend to be read with adult because of heavy subject matter. Enjoy!

This is a beautiful story about love loss and a dog. It is a well written book for second graders on up. It is one that can teach compassion. It has everything thing in one story. Cally losses her mother one year earlier and is lost about how to go on. One day she meets a dog called homeless. I won’t give anything else away.

It was a year ago when her mother had died. Cally's dad wouldn't speak of her mother. Then one day, Cally wouldn't speak at all. How can a homeless man, a dog, and the love of a woman that would never die, heal a family and expand it beyond words? This is a beautiful story that will have you laughing and crying, and leave you very satisfied and grateful for having met this unexpected mix of characters. Fabulous!

good book at the price

This a really good story! I started reading it to my daughter, she went to bed then I finished it! Lol Will continue to read it to her nightly, I’m not sure who is enjoying it more!

Absolutely loved this book. Ideal for someone who is dealing with the loss of a l one.

My last book of 2024! Cally, her dad and brother live in a house which doesn't feel like home since Mum died. No-one knew why she had been out of their town but she was driving back when there was an accident. One day when they are in the park to talk about moving to a flat (dad's sold the house) she sees 'mum' but Dad and Luke don't believe her. Cally also keep seeing 'mum' and she also sees her with Jed a homeless man and a wolfhound who seems to like Cally. Cally is often in trouble for calling out. Then she takes part in a sponsored silence - no-one believes she can do it - but she does and she doesn't stop doing it. She stays silent, choosing not to talk. In the new flat she meets a boy called Sam, he's blind and deaf, so the fact Cally isn't speaking is no problem. His Mum accepts her as she is and she begins to learn Sam's tapping method of talking. The wolfhound keeps coming to Cally's school, and is with Jed when he comes to their flats. Cally asks for 'Homeless' the dog to stay but dad says no way. Homeless is at school again and the teachers call the dog warden - can Cally get get him away? Then something happens...and Cally has to shout! Loud! And Jed arrives at the flat again, with Homeless, but he has a story to tell... Absolutely beautiful story of the grief of a family who don't talk about it. The story of a new friendship and it's affect on Cally and Sam. Loved it. 5*

What a beautiful and intriguing story this is. It's a story about how a family, but especially little Cally and her dad, come to terms with the tragic loss of Cally's mum. Cally stops talking completely because no one else seems to want to talk about mum... she falls in love with a dog called Homeless, makes friends with a boy downstairs (who can neither see nor hear) and sometimes she sees her mum. I can't begin to sum up this story in a few lines, because everything about it was just so beautifully written. I never expected things to work out the way they did, and I could hardly read the last few pages for the tears in my eyes. It's sweet, innocent, unbearably sad and yet full of hope and love at the same time. I totally recommend this book to everyone - children and adults alike.

An uplifting, deceptively powerful story that takes the reader through a heart-stopping array of emotions. Sarah Lean's uncomplicated and pacy writing style had me devouring this Kindle purchase within a couple of days. The author tackles some difficult issues in a sensitive yet original way and manages to rouse compassion for all the characters. A Dog called Homeless is a fabulous read for all ages. It made me smile, made me cry....result! Highly recommended.

Sarah Lean writes beautifully. A heartbreaking / heartwarming story.