Change Can Be Hard: Seeing the World from a Dog's Point of View

Fenway and Hattie by Victoria J. Coe

Hello, Readers!

This week, 2nd and 3rd grade book club members are discussing Fenway and Hattie by Victoria J. Coe. This entertaining story is told from the point of view of a dog, Fenway, who is dealing with a lot of change. He needs his best friend, Hattie, to help him navigate all that is new, but even Hattie is changing. If you've ever wonder what a dog would say if it could talk, you'll love reading Fenway and Hattie.

Meet Fenway, a little dog with a GIANT personality!

Fenway and his beloved short human, Hattie, are the perfect pair. She loves romping in the Dog Park, playing fetch, and eating delicious snacks as much as he does. 

But when they move from the city to the suburbs, there’s bad news. While Fenway’s hard at work deterring intruders and battling a slippery floor, Hattie starts changing. She hangs out in a squirrely tree house. She plays ball without him. What could be happening?

Crushed and confused, Fenway sets out on a mission. He’s going to get his Hattie back and nothing will stop him—not the Wicked Floor, not the dreaded Gate, not even a giant squirrel!

Get a dog’s-eye view of the world in this hilarious and heartfelt story about two best friends who learn that big changes aren’t always easy, but sometimes trying new things can get you everything you want.

Source: http://www.penguin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Classroom-Guide-to-Fenway-and-Hattie-Sept-2015.pdf

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What happened in Fenway and Hattie that surprised you? Why were you surprised?
2. What did this story make you wonder?
3. How has the story changed the way you think or act?
4. Fenway notices changes in the place they live. What are some of the similarities and differences between the apartment and the house?
5. What are some of Fenway's strategies or plans to get the old Hattie back?
6. What are some challenges that Hattie faces?
7. What did Hattie and Angel learn in this story?
8. Both Fenway and Hattie change from the beginning of the story to the end. How did Hattie change? How did Fenway change?

Curriculum Connections:

• Dogs (animals' needs, caring for a pet, communication)
• Social Skills and Character Development (friendship, problem solving, kindness, coping with moving or change)
• Visit author Victoria J. Coe's website to learn more about her and the books she writes.

What 2nd and 3rd Grade Book Club Members Thought:

• Our rating: 3.71 out of 5 - It was okay for some and others said it was good.
• "My favorite part was the wicked floor." --Caleb
• "My favorite part was when Fenway snapped the leash in half trying to save Hattie from the ice cream truck." --Rivian
• "I wondered why Fenway suddenly started liking walks at the end." --Sanika
• "My favorite part was when the brown truck keeps on following Fenway and Hattie." --Jake
• "My favorite part was that Fenway thought that his new backyard was a dog park." --Valeria
• "One question I wondered was why did they move?" --Nathan
• "My favorite part was when Fenway saw the wicked floor." --Boris

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