Teach Reading and Writing Issue 19

www.teachwire.net | 49 me in Year 6, it was a unanimous decision that it would be the first book we would read together. The children enjoyed it even more the second time round, because they were already so emotionally invested in the characters. It really is that good; if you haven’t yet read it, you should definitely consider doing so at the earliest opportunity! At its simplest level, it is a story about a young dog, Pup, trying to survive as a stray after being abandoned on the streets by ‘the big man’ for being E very so often, teachers are fortunate enough to read a book with their class that leaves a lasting impression on everyone, children and adults alike. I’ve always been a fan of Gill Lewis’ writing, but with A Street Dog Named Pup , she has created something truly special, a book that will be enjoyed for years to come. It was the final novel I read with my most recent class when they were in Year 5, and when they returned to too difficult and time-consuming to look after. However, beneath the surface, there is so much more going on. It is a book about friendship, loyalty and love, as well as delivering an extremely powerful message about the unequal relationship that exists between people and animals. Pup desperately wants to find his way home to ‘his boy’ but has no idea about how to find him. He is taken in and accepted by the Street Dogs, led by the tiny but ferocious Lady Fifi. Each of the Gill Lewis’ emotional story offers a memorable opportunity to explore characterisation and relationships in depth A S tree t Dog Named Pup BOOK TOP I C JON B I DDLE Book topic KS2 David Fickling Books, 2021 C L AS SROOM AC T I V I T I E S © Gill Lewis