THE LATCHKEY DOG

Determined not to let his parents get rid of his dog, Amber, who has no one to keep him company during the day, Sam, with the help of his friend, Jamie, tries to teach Amber to be a latchkey dog.

Grade 3-5-When Sam's father leaves and his mother goes to work, his golden retriever is lonely and disturbs the neighbors. Told that he must give Amber away, the boy tries a variety of ways to keep his pet, from offering her to an elderly neighbor to keeping her up all night to change her sleeping habits. Thinking that Sam's problems are a result of staying at home after school without adult supervision, his mother places him and his younger sister in a program at Happy Days Day Care Center, which takes in not only young children but also elderly people who can't be left home alone. This story begins with a child's dilemma and ends with a most satisfying conclusion, not only for Sam and his dog, but also for the people at the day-care center. Auch's approach to a problem in contemporary society is deftly handled, and her characters are completely believable. Black-and-white drawings scattered throughout enhance the action. Children will respond to Sam's ingenuity and will be reassured to see that there are many ways to solve problems creatively.
Jana R. Fine, Clearwater Public Library System, FL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

If Sam doesn't come up with a plan quickly, he will have to give away his dog, Amber. Mom has gone back to work and lonely Amber barks all day long, disturbing the neighbors. Sam tries one scheme after another to help Amber, each time landing in trouble. Finally his mother has had enough: "Sam, you are hereby grounded for the rest of your life." When Sam, an eight-year-old, is forced to join his little sister at a day-care center after school, his humiliation paves the way to a breakthrough--Amber can join him at the center, cheering up the "seniors" who are also there. Any reader who loves a pet will easily identify with Sam, admiring his ingenuity and perseverance while cheering him on to success, but it's too bad Auch didn't do a little more research--even though Mom likes Amber, she never thinks of trying to train her, and one scene shows the future candy striper canine growling and snapping at an elderly woman's hand. Ages 6-10.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The title doesn't really fit this tale of a boy and his dog, but it's a cute, marketable moniker for much ado about nothing. Amber is Sam's best friend, but with Sam's divorced mother newly employed outside the home, the dog is alone all day, disturbing the peace. Sam's mother wants to give Amber away; Sam is full of alternative ideas. Most of these fail, but ultimately the boy enlists the aid of a neighbor whose home office will be Amber's daytime hang-out; after school, Sam and Amber ``volunteer'' at his sister Maxie's daycare center. Smith's delightful b&w illustrations add appeal. A book that's slight, but fast-paced; farfetched overall, but alive with realistic, kid-pleasing antics. (Fiction. 7-10) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Gr. 3-5. After Sam's father moves out and his mother takes a full-time job, no one is left at home to entertain Amber, the family's friendly pet. The lonely golden retriever expresses her frustrations by barking all day, thus annoying the elderly neighbors. In desperation, Mom decides the only solution is to put Amber up for adoption. Sam tries everything he can think of to change her mind and the dog's behavior (including taking Amber to the beach for an all-night romp in hopes that she will sleep the next day), with predictably disastrous and hilarious results. Eventually, everyone gives in a little--Mom arranges to work at home some days; a friend's father agrees to dog-sit on the other days; and Sam and Amber become volunteers after school at a local day-care/senior center. An appealing cast of characters, the humorous yet believable situations, and a strong sense of family highlight this easy chapter book, making it a good choice as a read-aloud or a read-alone. Illustrated with pen-and-ink sketches. Kay Weisman