No More Dead Dogs, by Gordon Korman. Recommended on 2/10/06.
For all those out there who like dog stories, have you ever wondered why the dog dies at the end? Think about Old Yeller: what happens to the dog? (This is a rhertorical question). And remember Where the Red Fern Grows? There's a double whammy in that one. (that means two for one). And even My Life as a Dog, which really isn't about a dog, it's about a boy, but i think we all know what happened to poor Laika. (Laika was the first dog in space and she went up there all alone in her space ship - and didn't come back). Well, this story is different. You'll meet Wallace Wallace - a football player who has to serve detention time for criticizing Old Shep, My Pal, a dog story that the English teacher thinks is the best book ever written. Wallace doesn't like the idea of dead dogs and he doesn't really care too much for Old Shep, My Pal. However, Wallace, along with an interesting and amusing cast of characters change the school play and everything else. You'll meet Rachel Turner who has this peculiar obsession with Julia Roberts. And Rick Falconi whose "Rickisms" are as witty and almost but not quite, reminicient of the philosophical quips authored by Yogi Berra (he played baseball before). If you like dogs, read this book. If you hate dogs, read this book. Even if you are indifferent to those of this canine persuation, read this book. You'll learn the importance and value of sticking to your own opinions and how with a little desire to influence and a penchant to perservere, things can turn out different than everyone expected.