Chapter books for kids who love to read about dogs

Did you ever notice that it takes that ONE book to get your kids to love reading?  When I was in high school, I remember my mom bringing home Harry Potter (the book) for my brother.  He was not the type of kid who spent his spare time reading.    He played sports, hung out with friends, played board games, etc… but he didn’t go to his room to catch up on his reading each night.

Then, he started reading Harry Potter and everything changed for him.  He started reading for pleasure.   It was just like the author said: “If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.”

Fast forward to now… he has his PH.D. and it is rare that he isn’t telling me about a book that he has recently read.

Books When I was younger, I remember reading a range of books from Sarah, Plain, and Tall, to the Babysitters’ Club books.  I believe the quote: “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”  Reading allows me to go places that I would never have gone before.  You can travel the world through a book, and you can dive right into a story just by picking up a book.

Our son, Beau, was nine years old when we introduced him to the author W. Bruce Cameron.   His world was forever changed.  He went from dreading “reading time” to looking forward to it every night.   Years later and he still loves to read.  He has read every dog book that Mr. Cameron has written.   We’ve seen every movie that has been made from those books, as well.

If you aren’t familiar with W. Bruce Cameron, he is the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of A Dog’s Purpose, A Dog’s Way Home, and A Dog’s Journey (all now major motion pictures), The Dog Master, the A Dog’s Purpose Puppy Tales for young readers (starting with Ellie’s Story and Bailey’s Story), The Dogs of Christmas, and others.    🙂

If I can’t find Beau, I know that he is doing one of three things:
1 – Building (he is a woodworker & has recently started into working & building with metal)
2- Reading a book about cars (he has several books that were made in the early 1900s that he likes to read, to see the difference between how cars were made then and how they are made now.  His interest in cars & tools is unlike anyone’s I’ve ever seen.)
3- Reading a book by W. Bruce Cameron.

Today, to help other parents who have children that love dog books as much as Beau, I’m making a list of books for kids who love to read these kinds of books.

NOTE:  I often read the book with him at night.  I’ll just lie beside him and read silently as he reads.  I have done this with all of our kids when they started reading chapter books.  I still do it with our teenager.

 The reason is simple: it gives us something to talk about that isn’t just the day-to-day stuff.  We can have our own little “book club.”  Each of our kids loves this (even if they don’t say it with their words… I can tell by the way that they wait for me to start reading, or they talk about it when we are alone, etc…)  

These links are affiliate links to Amazon to find the books easily.

Books for Kids who Love Dogs:

(This first set of four novels are suggested for teenagers or adults.  I’d say ages 11+, although our son read them at 10 and understood them, although, I was reading with him so I was able to explain difficult situations and sad moments) 

• A Dog’s Purpose (A Dog’s Purpose, #1)
• A Dog’s Journey (A Dog’s Purpose, #2)
• A Dog’s Promise (A Dog’s Purpose #3)
• A Dog’s Way Home

There are also The Puppy Tales collection:

(This next set of chapter books is perfect for young readers ages 8+)

• Ellie’s Story
• Bailey’s Story
• Molly’s Story
• Max’s Story
• Shelby’s Story
• Toby’s Story
• Lily’s Story: A Puppy Tale
• The Dogs of Christmas

These next few books aren’t about dogs, but our son loves these ones, as well: 

• The One and Only Ivan
• National Geographic Kids 125 True Stories of Amazing Animals: Inspiring Tales of Animal Friendship & Four-Legged Heroes
• Wonder
• The Tale of Despereaux
• Ugly
• An Invisible Thread 
• While we haven’t read this one, our next book to read is going to be:  Pay It Forward 

Giveaway:
Forge Books sent me the newest W. Bruce Cameron books and is partnering with me for a giveaway.  The goal of the giveaway is to enjoy family time with something for everyone!  The winner receives:

• A Dog’s Promise for you (This book continues the story of Bailey, the good dog whose journey started in A Dog’s Purpose and continued in A Dog’s Journey. This time, Bailey is joined by Lacey, another very special dog, who helps Bailey fulfill his promise over the course of several lives.)
• Lily’s Story for your young reader (An exciting and heartfelt middle-grade novel about a pit bull named Lily, the smallest in her litter, who embarks on a unique journey towards confidence, adventure, and discovering life’s purpose.)
• and a $50 Petco gift card to add something for your pup!