Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko have crafted something truly special in “Dogtown,” a heartwarming tale that explores what it means to find your place in the world—whether you’re made of flesh and fur or circuits and steel.
A Story That Speaks to Every Reader
At its core, “Dogtown” is about two unlikely companions: Metal Head, a robot dog yearning to return to his original home, and Chance, a shelter dog with a heart full of loyalty who decides to join the adventure. Their journey from the safety of Dogtown shelter into the wider world becomes a beautiful metaphor for the courage it takes to seek where we truly belong.
What makes this book remarkable is how Applegate and Choldenko weave together the experiences of both traditional and technological characters. Metal Head’s quest raises profound questions about what makes a family and whether love can transcend the boundaries between organic and artificial life. Meanwhile, Chance represents the timeless canine qualities of devotion, bravery, and the simple joy of companionship.
Themes That Resonate
The book tackles several powerful themes that will resonate with readers of all ages:
- Finding Home: Both dogs are searching for their “forever homes,” but they discover that home might not be a place—it might be the connections we make along the way.
- Friendship and Loyalty: Chance’s decision to accompany Metal Head speaks to the profound bonds that form between unlikely friends and the lengths we’ll go to support those we care about.
- Acceptance and Belonging: The story beautifully explores how we find our place in communities and how others’ kindness can shape our understanding of where we fit.
- Technology and Humanity: Through Metal Head’s journey, the authors thoughtfully examine what makes someone “real” and worthy of love and care.
The Adventure Unfolds
The journey itself is filled with moments that will make readers laugh, worry, and ultimately cheer. From the practicalities of finding charging stations for Metal Head to the simple pleasure of sharing cheese sandwiches, the authors ground their adventure in delightfully specific details that bring the world to life.
The “unexpected kindnesses” mentioned in the story’s description hint at one of the book’s most beautiful aspects—how strangers can become helpers, and how small acts of compassion can change the course of a journey, and perhaps a life.
Perfect for Classroom and Home
“Dogtown” offers rich opportunities for discussion about empathy, technology’s role in our lives, and what makes a family. It’s the kind of book that sparks conversations between kids and adults, making it perfect for family reading time or classroom book clubs.
The collaboration between Applegate and Choldenko brings together their individual strengths—Applegate’s gift for animal perspectives (as seen in “The One and Only Ivan”) and Choldenko’s talent for capturing the complexities of friendship and belonging. Together, they’ve created a story that’s both entertaining and meaningful.
A Journey Worth Taking
“Dogtown” reminds us that the search for home is universal, whether you’re a shelter dog, a robot dog, or a human reader looking for your own place in the world. It’s a story about the courage to leave safety behind when something important calls to you, and about the friends who choose to come along for the journey.
In a world that often feels divided between the digital and the physical, the artificial and the authentic, “Dogtown” offers a hopeful vision where connection and care matter most. It’s a book that will leave readers thinking about what makes someone part of a family—and perhaps more open to the unexpected kindnesses that await us all.