41) Sheep by Valerie Hobbs

Hobbs, Valerie. Sheep. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2006. 115 pages. ISBN: 0-312-56116-4.
Genre/Subject: Animal, Adventure


Age: 8-12

Plot:
This story is told from the perspective of a dog, named Jack, a border collie. Jack's purpose in life is to herd sheep. Unfortunately, Jack is no longer able to herd sheep due to an unfortunate accident. Jack's owner's ranch burns down, and everything left is sold off, including Jack.  One day Jack ends up at a pet shop, where he is bought for a little girl who wants to dress him in doll clothes. Jack could not stand the situation, as he states "It was a bad match-up". They needed a sit-around dog, lie-in-your-lap dog, not a sheepherder like me". Jack runs away from the family and enters the real world, living life on the street. Soon, he realized that street life is full of danger. Jack searches everyday for food.One day, he smells the scent of something "rank and wooly". He runs towards the smell and finds a herd of goats. Jack begins to associate with the gray-bearded Goat Man. The vagabond-man, who is traveling North is like a philosopher. Jack learns from him about the world and the people in it. But, then the Goat Man dies, and Jack is on his own again. Jack goes from living with homeless, from being caught and put into the dog pound, and is adopted by a cruel man who operated the "Billy's Big and Happy Circus". This act is not as happy as it appears to be. Jack is forced to perform tricks for the circus, and when he does not perform he his whipped. Jack's life constantly changes, and eventually ends up at the Good Shepherd Home for boys, where there are orphans. Jack befriends an orphaned boy named Luke and they both long for the perfect home. 


Review: This novel has many twists and turns, as the lifestyle of Jack keeps changing. The pacing and unpredictable directions will keep readers interested.  The fact that the story is told from the point of view of a dog, shows that Jack is a believable character. With an interesting personality, readers will enjoy reading about Jack's adventures and the interesting people he meets along the way.