Middle grade books with dogs? Count me in!

These books highlight the awesome bond between kids and their furry friends. These books focus on loyalty, friendship, and the power of the pup!

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo really brings out all the feels, which is why so many teachers use this as an in-class read. It’s a great book to discuss all kinds of social emotional learning experiences and as an added bonus there’s a movie to compare to when the readers are finished.

Dogtown by Katherine Applegate and Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin are fiction that focus on the relationship between dogs and their humans. Rain Reign has the added complexity of a character with autism which serves to highlight the bond between Rose and Rain Reign even more. 

My Life in Dog Years by Gary Paulsen is a memoir for middle grade readers that shares Paulsen’s incredible experiences with dogs throughout his life. This read may inspire some to read his survival fiction books such as Hatchet.

Books with dogs in them build empathy which is really great when times are ruff.