I Want a Dog: My Opinion Essay

Written by Darcy Pattison

Narrated by Josiah Bildner

I Want a Dog: My Opinion EssayBy Darcy Pattison, Illustrated by Ewa O'Neill

Hurrah for Essays! All writing lessons should be this much fun.

When cousins Dennis and Mellie decide to get a dog, they consider carefully what breed would be best for each family. For example, Dennis wants a big dog, but Mellie wants tiny. He has no other pets, but she has other pets that a dog must get along with. They consider different dog personalities, family situations, and personal preferences. Dennis writes an opinion essay for his teacher, Mrs. Shirky. But will his essay convince his parents to get the dog of his dreams?

This story takes a popular subject—kids getting a pet—and adds dogs of all sizes and shapes: all writing lessons should be this much fun. In the end, it's cousins and the dogs that keep a reader turning the page. What kind of dog will Dennis choose? Will Mellie want the same kind of dog?

This story hits many notes:

• A family story about cousins, Dennis and Mellie
• Information on dog breeds
• Responsible dog ownership
• Mentor-text for teaching writing
• Model opinion essay for elementary students
• Models the writing process, especially the importance of pre-writing or planning before you write
• Completes the writing process by showing the results of Dennis's essay
• 
  

I WANT A DOG almost makes opinion essays look too easy. For STEM classes, a good study of dog species.

See other books in THE READ AND WRITE series

• I Want a Cat: My Opinion Essay
• My Crazy Dog: My Narrative Essay
• My Dirty Dog: My Informative Essay

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mims House
• Release date: Feb 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781629440866

Darcy Pattison

Children’s book author and indie publisher Darcy Pattison writes award-winning fiction and non-fiction books for children. Her works have received starred PW, Kirkus, and BCCB reviews. Awards include the Irma Black Honor award, five NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, two Eureka! Nonfiction Honor book, two Junior Library Guild selections, two NCTE Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts, a 2021 Notable Social Studies Trade Books, and an Arkansiana Award. She’s the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children’s literature.

[skstiles612 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the first book in this series. In this book the main characters are Dennis and Mellie. They are cousins. This story and finally essay is written by Dennis. He wants a dog. His teacher has told him he must have "criteria" for his essay. As Dennis researches and compares each type of dog he explains which of those characteristics would be best for not only himself, but for his cousin Mellie as well. When he has finished the research he puts it all together into a formal essay. The essay is so good that he and his cousin both get a dog that is best suited to each of them. Dennis gives them each their name. This book takes you step by step through the process. I loved the way that they showed a specific breed, a drawing of it and it's characteristics. Definitely a book I plan to use with my sixth graders. I prefer to make sure they have the basics and this is a great way to do it.I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.