“I can’t speak for all dogs. Not all dogs are alike. And most certainly, not all dogs have the same experiences. . . .” Squirrel is not like most dogs. Born a stray, she must make her own way in the world, facing busy highways, changing seasons, and humans both gentle and brutal. Her life story, in her own words, is marked by loss, but also by an inspiring instinct to survive. And when it seems she will roam the woods and country roads alone forever, Squirrel makes two friends who, in very different ways, define her fate. At once heartrending and hopeful, Ann Martin’s exquisite story of a dog’s life is told with her trademark grace and insight.
Download and start listening now!
"This book is the story of Squirrel, a stray dog who lives her life almost entirely on the fringes of the human world. There are some hard events - Squirrel sees and loses much in her life, and many people are thoughtless or cruel - but Squirrel's matter of fact narration keeps the trauma from being overwhelming to a child reader. Although Squirrel "narrates," this is no talking animal fantasy. The dogs do not talk to each other or other animals. Instead, they weave in and out of each other's lives, signaling with odor, stance, and body - as animals do. This book is contemplative and episodic, and won't be for every reader, but should appeal strongly to children who have a strong righteous streak, animal lovers, or serious minded readers grades 4-6. Give this to your budding vegetarians and veterinarians, or an excellent read aloud for those looking for animal fiction."
— H (4 out of 5 stars)
“After following Squirrel's harrowing encounters with freezing temperatures, dangerous enemies and near starvation, readers will utter a sigh of relief when she finds a human who needs Squirrel as much as Squirrel needs her.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Heart-wrenching as well as heart-warming.”
— Kirkus Reviews" That is a sad book so don.t read ir "
— Hera, 2/17/2014" So sad, but a happy ending. "
— Meghan, 2/13/2014" I usually don't like sad books like this but this one was really good and cute but really sad :( It made me cry! "
— Jayden, 2/7/2014" Not my favorite, but I liked it alot it was a great story!!! "
— Paige, 2/5/2014" I enjoyed this book! It was fun to read the adventures of Squirrel the dog. This book is about a stray and the hardships of her life. I liked looking in to the life of a dog. I got the book from my brother who was really into dog stories. I loved the way the book was told in the view point of Squirrel. It really made me think about how dogs really think. "
— Connie, 1/31/2014" i love it. it is a heart warming books "
— Kennedy, 1/16/2014" Christian says 4.5 stars! It really was a very engaging book written interestingly from the perspective of a stray dog. I would recommend it to every dog lover. Sweet ending - thank goodness the main character doesn't die. "
— Jaime, 1/14/2014" Very interesting story. Absolutly loved it. "
— Melanie, 1/14/2014" I had trouble with the dog perspective in this one. As much as I wanted to like it, I didn't so much. The writing...fine. The perspective...not for me. I couldn't get there with this one. "
— Mary, 1/9/2014" Oh my gosh, this book is absolutely my favorite! It's just so sad, yet interesting at the same time. <:) "
— Jill, 12/26/2013" It makes me wanna love dogs. "
— Janielle, 12/19/2013" Short story from dog's perspective. Not too sad, but made me think of our dog's early day's on the street. "
— Ted, 12/11/2013" Will do this for book club in a few months. This is a 4th grade level book. "
— Lisa, 12/11/2013" i love this book, it is so good, it will make you cry. it made me cry, and i am not a big crier "
— August, 11/25/2013" The insight of life as a stray is great, as I have a rescue dog, but it is sad when Bone leaves her and when she picks up his scent once again. However, there is a sequel to A Dog's Life and it is the story of Bone, called Everything For a Dog. "
— Katie, 11/24/2013" Great story, really, but a little depressing. Then again, I was in 5th grade at the time, so who knows? "
— Catherine, 11/2/2013" I loved this book! I read it in the hopes that I could use it for a read aloud someday in my clasroom, and I definitely will. The only problem is the number of times I teared up! "
— Amber, 10/2/2013" This is a book I would recommend to dog lovers. It's really sad but there's a happy ending. "
— Erica, 8/19/2013" Really liked it especially the very last sentence. "
— Vicky, 7/30/2013" ONE OF THE BEST DOG STORIES EVER "
— Sporky27, 3/19/2013" My ten year old daughter and I listened to the audio book. I would have given it three stars, because I found it fine but repetitive and lacking in emotion, but she gave it four, and since she's the target audience, I'm going with her review. "
— Gina, 1/26/2013" Absolutely heartbreaking. A story that really stays with you. At least it ends well! "
— Bekka, 12/11/2012" I enjoyed reading this book. I wish the author would have used more adjectives. I enjoyed how the book ended on a happy note and did not leave the reader sad or depressed. "
— Shayne, 5/27/2012" Excellent book--very cute. "
— Rshelite, 1/25/2012" An absolute must-read for animal lovers. "
— Angela, 1/7/2012" This is a great story written from a stray's point of view. If you love or even like dogs this is one for you. "
— Sandra, 10/3/2011" This was one of the saddest books ever. Being the huge dog lover that I am, I had tears fall down on some parts. I read this about 2 years ago so I don't remember it very well, but I do remember I loved it. I should re-read it... "
— Alex, 9/29/2011" its such a buetiful way to write a book. u will never look the same way at a stray animal after u read this book. it is so sad and yet so happy i love it, every one needs to read it at least once. "
— Jeffrey, 7/13/2011" this is a children's book but it was so sweet in how it portrayed a stray dog surviving and finding contentment. "
— Marge, 3/5/2011" It Was Awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
— Kathryn, 12/1/2010" I Thought this was a really good book. The two puppies in the story almost got hit by a car. That was a scary moment. I really thought they were going to get crushed. This book could be really sad, but at the same time it can be a really good book. "
— Joey, 12/1/2010Ann M. Martin is the bestselling author of the series the Baby-sitters Club, as well as the Main Street series and others. Her other acclaimed novels include A Corner of the Universe, a Newbery Honor Book.
Wendy Dillon’s long career as a voiceover actor includes numerous audiobook productions, television and radio commercials, as well as animated character performances for film and the Internet.