Thanks to NetGalley for this delightful ARC!

Told in tasty little chunks (i.e. short chapters), this tale (tail?) of unlikely friendship, hope and the true meaning of home will undoubtedly charm young readers. The illustrations are darling and the three main buddies, Chance, Metal Head and Mouse, are all distinct and instantly lovable.

Can't wait for more "tails" is this series!

This one really grew on me (and I shouldn’t be surprised considering the great storytellers who paired up to write it)!

I think the short chapters took my brain a moment, but I actually think that the short chapter form is *perfect* for this book and the kiddos I’d want to share this (early readers).

The majority of my kiddos find reading really difficult so I especially love the way this one provides access in its ‘reading level’ while also providing gentle representation that’s quite lovely.

All in all this book is a win and made my teacher heart happy. Excited to pass this one to some of my crew this coming year.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing company for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Also - what a thoughtful thank you to teachers and librarians in the acknowledgments. The admiration and appreciation goes both ways! Class act.

Leave it to Katherine Applegate to write such a charming story and for Jennifer Choldenko to bring it to life with these charming illustrations. A real dog, A robot dog, and a mouse-- its great! Don't miss this one. My kids love it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital review copy. I'll be adding this one to my shelf when it comes out.

Al Capone Does My Shirts and The One and Only Ivan are two of my favorite middle grade books. So, when I saw that the authors were collaborating, I had to have the book. But, I love the other books so much that I worried it might be a disappointment. I shouldn't have doubted Applegate and Choldenko. This is one of the sweetest, cutest, funniest middle grade books I've read.

Like the Ivan series, the book is told in first point of view from an animal's perspective, a dog named Chance. Chance is stuck in Dogtown, a shelter for both real and electronic dogs, after his owners leave him with an irresponsible dog-sitter and he is in an accident. Every dog there is hoping to find their forever home. But one dog, Metal Head, is determined to break out. Chance doesn't usually like robot dogs, but he and Metal Head form a friendship as they go on an adventure.

I love the clever way she describes things focused on smell and how the dogs have a "group wag" to celebrate. Dogtown has a warm message friendship and using your heart. This book will pull on your heartstrings while making you laugh. The authors also include hints at the end about helping shelter dogs other than just adopting them. This is sure to be another classic added to these authors' stellar lists.

What an absolutely charming book about dogs at the local animal shelter waiting for their forever homes. Anyone who loves dogs will enjoy this beautifully written book by the excellent children’s book author Katherine Applegate. Yes, this chapter book is intended for children to read or be read aloud to, but this retired children’s librarian will be recommending it to everyone.

I think Dogtown will really appeal to upper elementary and middle school dog lovers. My 3rd grade granddaughter would definitely enjoy it.

This is the story of Chance, a dog that ended up at Dogtown. Dogtown is a shelter for strays, misbehaving dogs, and robot dogs. Chance makes friends with Mouse and Metal Head. Together, they save a dog’s life, go on an adventure and finally getting Chance back home.

I was a little unusure whether this story was going to work-with the premise of robot dogs being discarded at shelters too. The pictures really added to the story. I ended up really enjoying it!

Chance, by a strange fluke, has become a resident of the animal shelter, Dogtown. Chance knows he does not belong there - after all, he has a family who hired a dog sitter to care for Chance. Unfortunately, life does have unexpected twists and turns. Chance knows his number is coming up and it will not lead to an adoptive family. The shelter is also home to metal dog robots. When the families tire of the robots they get dropped off at the shelters. Some can be fixed, others not. Chance and Metal Head become sort-of friends, along with Mouse who lives with his family up in the rafters.

One day the three friends leave the shelter, seeking a better life. What they find is a bitterly cold, snowy, icy outside. Metal Head runs on a battery - he needs a charger. Chance only has three legs and doesn't handle ice well, and Mouse has left his family who may starve. How will this whole adventure end? Will these friends find safety and families who truly will care for them.

This is a good story for teaching responsibility for pets and possessions, and could very well lead to a sequel or two. Perfect read for upper elementary kids, and adults as well.

I loved this book! It’s a beautiful story of caring and kindness for everyone whether they are like you or not. The illustrations add so much to the tenor of the story. I can hardly wait for its publication so I can purchase several copies for grandchildren, great nieces and nephews and also some adults who are kids at heart. Needless to say, I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. This is a 10 Star!

Applegate and Choldenko have written a story that is sure to be beloved by both children and adults. It is a story of bravery, friendship, and love. It will make a fantastic read aloud in early elementary classrooms!

The eponymous Dogtown is an animal shelter. Poor Chance, a sheltie-Australian shepherd mix, has ended up there due to an extremely negligent house-sitter. She’s been lucky, so she has escaped euthanasia so far. In this world, robot dogs have become all the rage (wouldn’t they in ours, too?), but Chance and her flesh-and-blood pals (which includes a mouse named — what else? — Mouse) aren’t having anything to do with them, even if they end up at Dogtown, as some do.

That is until Metal Head arrives. To say more is to ruin the story. I will leave you with the book’s message, penned by a robot dog: "Your heart is a muscle. It grows stronger the more you use it."

Authors Gennifer Choldenko and Katherine Applegate (the later being the genius who wrote The One and Only Ivan and its sequels), needless to say, have done an amazing job on this middle-grade novel, which is perfect for every age. And they’ve added seven tips for those of us who want to help unwanted animals in our own neighborhoods. Plus kudos to illustrator to illustrator Wallace West, who totally captures the Dogtown zeitgeist.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Feiwel and Friends, and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.

First sentence: I know what you're thinking: That poor dog only has three legs. But don't go there. It's not that bad, okay? So, I'm not American Kennel Club material. Big deal. My eyes are sharp, my nose is wet, my coat puppy soft, and the white patch over my eye? It's a charmer, I don't mind saying. My name is Chance. I'm pleased to meet you.

Premise/plot: Dogtown is an animal shelter (dog shelter). It features dog-dogs and robot-dogs. (Presumably, this animal fantasy is futuristic animal fantasy). It stars Chance, our LOVABLE, adorable, super-kind hero. He's long been a resident at Dogtown. This is the story of his friendships at Dogtown. In particular, how he made [close] friendships with two unlikely residents: a mouse (named Mouse) and a robot dog, Metal Head. The book contains their adventures/misadventures.

My thoughts: Does this one feature a dog in peril? Yes and no. No, in that it isn't just one dog in peril. It is DOGS (plural) in peril. Though this one doesn't feature direct-direct sads, it features plenty of potential peril. Does it have heart and substance? A thousand times yes. I loved, loved, loved, loved this one so much. I LOVE the emotional journey of this one. Very feel-good. Very warm-and-cozy. Yet not instant. Do I see myself rereading it? YES. I already want to reread it. I could reread it a million times and still be moved by how awesome it is.

I loved the story. I loved the characters. I loved EVERYTHING.

My favorite, favorite, favorite element of this one is the inclusion of the BOOK BUDDY program. Pairing school-age children with shelter-dogs for reading time. These scenes were HEART-MELTING.

I just loved this book! "Dogtown" is everything a middle grade reader needs to be. I will definitely purchase and use this book in my 2nd grade classroom.

My daughter really liked this book! She liked the characters. She was confused about the plan that the robot metal dog was coming up with but overall liked the story. We have always loved everything from this author! Thank you for the opportunity to read it in advance!

I am a huge fan of Katherine Applegate's books and was so excited to receive an ARC of her upcoming release, "Dogtown." Dogtown is a shelter for stray dogs, misbehaving dogs, and discarded robot dogs, whose owners have outgrown them. Chance, a three-legged dog, has been living in Dogtown ever since her owners let her stay with an irresponsible dog sitter who skips town. Chance befriends Metal Head,the robot dog, and the two embark on adventure to find new their forever homes. With determination, perseverance and the help of Mouse, will Chance and Metal Head escape town?

This is the perfect book for children in the middle grades (8-12) who are transitioning from picture books to chapter books. The chapters include black and white pictures and are short - giving readers just enough to make them excited about reading the next chapter to find out what happens next.

Thank you to Katherine Applegate, Gennifer Choldenko, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC and opportunity to read and review this lovable story.

This book was not quite what I expected when I downloaded it to read to my child. It was a little too advanced for his age. I was a little disappointed for that reason, but otherwise was a cute book.

Dogtown is a delightful tale of a 3-legged dog, a robot dog, and a mouse. Chance, the 3-legged dog, is a loving, warm character who befriends Mouse and helps him whenever possible. Metal Head is a cold, withdrawn robot dog who warms up when he has the chance to "buddy-read" the book Green Eggs and Ham with a young boy, Quinn.

Metal-Head is determined to find his way home and comes up with a plan to "escape" from Dogtown. To effect his plan, he needs Chance and Mouse's help. But the best laid plans don't always work out as intended and the three friends end up supporting each other in ways they don't anticipate.

With charming black and white illustrations, short chapters, and Chance's hilarious insights, Dogtown is an enchanting middle-grade book (ages 8 - 12). This is Volume 1 in the Dogtown series which means we can expect more books about the dogs of Dogtown! Looking forward to reading more of these down-on-their-luck dogs' stories.

Katherine Applegate writes such great books from an animal's perspective, and she has such empathy and joy in her writing. Dogtown is another hit from this popular author, and I would highly recommend any of her books to fans of Kate DiCamillo. Chance is a three-legged pup who isn't likely to get adopted. He ended up on the streets after his owners possibly abandoned him--the dog isn't clear on the details--but he finds joy in his fellow kennel mates and in the kids who come to read with dogs.

Soon he discovers a boy who may have autism, and wants to help him in any way he can. He forms an unlikely friendship with a robot dog, and through a series of events, eventually helps his pals find a happy ending as well as one for himself.

This book will enamor middle grade readers. The chapters are brief, similar to The One and Only Ivan, and the story is just as special. I can't wait to recommend it to my patrons!

When I saw that Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko co-wrote a book I couldn't wait to read it. I was not disappointed, and readers won't be, either. Perfect for grades 4-6 who love dog stories, the author's outstanding writing and character development draws readers in from page one. Readers will be captivated by canine protagonist Chance, a witty, introspective and good-natured first-canine narrator. Chance pretty much has the run of Dogtown, an animal shelter for lost, abandoned, badly-behaved, and....robot dogs. The authors don't spend any time discussing how robot dogs came to be and it's not a roadblock for readers to just get on board with the notion. Chance and the other dogs aren't fond of the shelter's robot dogs bc they get adopted sooner than "real" dogs. But the more Chance gets to know a robot dog she nicknames "Metal Head", the more she realizes the robot dog has a heart just like she does. A cautious friendship begins, and soon Chance's pal Mouse (a live mouse who lives in Dogtown) makes it a trio. The novel's pace breaks out into a street adventure when they break out of Dogtown to track down Metal Head's old family. There are a few losses along the way but the books fortunately ends well for animal lovers. (Can't have a sad dog story!). The novel's strength is Chance's wise and heartfelt commentary on the human and canine condition: "Your heart is a muscle. It gets stronger the more you use it." Illustrations add humor and perfectly capture moments of doggie emotion and unbridled energy.. Will have no trouble flashtalking this one in the stacks.

Dogtown is a dog shelter where unwanted dogs- both canine and robot- end up. There is a rivalry between the two types, primarily on the side of the living, as many families coming to adopt a dog like the idea of one that won’t need feeding, cleaning up after, and can be stored in a closet. And robot dogs need not fear ending up on the List. This book details the unlikely friendship of Chance, a three-legged dog who misses his family desperately, Metalhead, a robot dog who unexpectedly seems to feel the same way, and Mouse, a mouse who befriends them both. Will this unlikely trio be able to find forever homes for a three-legged canine and a robot dog who seems to feel? Dogtown is a delightful early chapter book, with Chance as the scrappy narrator who is doing his best to succeed in the pound environment. His suspicions of the robot dog are negated by his desire to help a child, making him an empathic hero. Learning Chance’s backstory and how he ended up in Dogtown will have the reader rooting for him to find his way home. Additionally, Applegate’s authorial skill gently delivers lessons about responsible pet ownership, appropriate for the reading audience. One suspects that this might be the first in a series, because Metalhead’s story doesn’t feel complete, and Mouse is still a bit of a mystery. I cannot wait, because I am excited to see what adventures these three cook up next. I was given an e-advance copy in return for an honest review.