The Dog, Ray

By turns humorous, poignant, and moving, this tale of a girl who comes back to Earth as a dog is a nuanced portrait of death, love, grief, and hope.

When my death came it was swift. Swift as a running horse. It wasted no time.

Daisy, age twelve, has died in a car accident. She finds herself in the afterworld, which resembles nothing more than a job center. Her soul is being returned to Earth, but not as a human being--she's returning as a dog. A dog who retains Daisy's thoughts and pluck and is determined to get back to her parents and to get back home. What she doesn't expect is that life as a dog named Ray would come with such worries--and moments of jubilation--as she grows to care for others in a whole new way. Told in a compelling first-person voice, Linda Coggin's incredible novel touches on loyalty and freedom, connection and acceptance, and is sure to stay with readers long after the story is done.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Published: 11/01/2016
ISBN: 9780763679385
Pages: 208
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 7.80h x 5.30w x 0.90d

Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 01/01/0001
Kirkus Reviews 08/15/2016 pg. 171
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 10/01/2016
School Library Journal 10/01/2016 pg. 92
BookPage 11/01/2016
Booklist 11/15/2016 pg. 48
Voice of Youth Advocates 12/01/2016 - Recommended - Better Than Most
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2017 pg. 84 - Below Average, With Minor Flaw

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 188572 / Dog, Ray
Reading Level: 4.1 / Interest Level: Middle Grade / Point Value: 5