Notes from the Dog Audiobook

" Call me biased by Gary Paulsen is one of those authors that I feel can do little wrong. I knew I would love the book before I even started it, and it didn't disappoint. I suppose the reason why I couldn't rate it five stars is the choppiness of the main themes of the book. Gardening + breast cancer + teenage boy = good story? It almost feels like Paulsen drew three random topics out of a hat and was dared to weave them together. Paulsen did a pretty great job of it, but it still felt a little unnatural in a way that I can't put my finger on. "

" Love this story! Finn is a young boy who needs a self-esteem boost and Johanna does just that! At 24 she moves next door. She has breast cancer and is fighting for her life with chemotherapy. Although what she is facing is mentally and physically painful she keeps a positive attitude on life. I wish we could all be a little more like Johanna. Faces many themes including: character development, death, cancer, friends, relationships. "

" I think this book was trying to do too many things at once. The "notes from the dog" was such a small part of the story (in my view) that I don't think the title is really appropriate. The characters were very 2D, which I can forgive for being such a small book. Still, this book was just ok. "

" Loved the book, different from what is his normal routine, more insightful. "

" I'm not a Gary Paulsen fan but this book was recommended to me by a trusted source. You know who you are. It was pretty good. Really, I'd give it a 3.5. It had some good content and was very readable. Not very gripping to me, but a decent story. "

" My 7th grade boys loved it, but it is a bit cheesy and predictable. I think it would be better for 5th or 6th graders, as there is not a ton of things to notice beyond the basic plot points. Paulsen continues to appeal to those boys! "

" great book dealing with light adolescent troubles "

" 3 1/2 stars. The strength of this book may be its brevity and spare emotion. Somewhat implausible in scope and action, it still stirs applause for the actions of its young protagonists. "

" Paulsen knows how to pull us into a story and care deeply about the characters. A moving story about two middle grade boys, best friends, who connect with a young woman fighting breast cancer. The characters are sweet and the situation poignant. Suitable for grade 6-9. "

" The characters were heart-warming and mostly realistic, and the storytelling was masterful. This was not what I expected from the author of boy-stuck-alone-in-the-wilderness books. It was suburban, and bled with kindness and affection toward the characters. "

" Quick read - two high school friends make friends with new, adult neighbor who is recovering from Breast cancer. "

" What an incredible story. Finn, the narrator, is a likable character with a heart of gold. This story is something different for the Gary Paulsen fan. "

" AMAZING book! Loved it!. "

" This is a heartwarming story about a dog, a kid, and cancer. I read it in one sitting, because I couldn't put it down. "

" 2011-2012 Young Adult Golden Sower Nominee. "

" I want to read the book "

" What a great story of discovery. "