Title: Before You Were Mine
Author: Maribeth Boelts
Copyright Date: 2007
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Possible Theme: Dogs, Adopted, Shelters, Hope
Personal Response: This book is a heartwarming story about a boy
that wonders about the life his adopted shelter dog might have had before he
was brought home to live with him. It talks about how the dog might have had a
very difficult life. In the end of the story the book gives the lasting message
that it does not matter because they’ll never know. What does matter is that
the dog is safe and cared for nowadays and the present is the most important
thing! This is an outstanding book to teach children compassion for animals by
speculating experiences that happen to many stray animals everyday. Many
children don’t know about the happiness that can be obtained by adopting a dog
in need at a shelter (for both the animal and person). Before You Were Mine helps students connect the adopting process to
an actual furry life. Just a wonderful and meaningful book!
Student Journal Entry: Do you have an adopted pet? Contemplate what
their life was like before you adopted him/her. Write about what their life
might have been like and what it is like now. If you don’t have an adopted pet,
write a paragraph from an adopted pet’s perspective about how good their life
is now after finding their forever home!
Activity: Draw a before and after illustration for this title, “The Life of a
Shelter Dog!”
Website: Click HERE. Go to the Humane Society’s website and read some
success stories from the adoption page.
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