Webster: Tale of an Outlaw by Ellen Emerson White

2018-2019 Maud Hart Lovelace Reading List

Genre:  Animal Story

Grade Level: 3^rd- 7th

Reading Level: 4.7 (7 points) 256 pages

Publisher: Aladdin (November 3, 2015)

My Rating: 4 out of 4

Readability: Easy to read, funny, and heart warming!

MHL Division: Division 1 or Crossover

Summary:

When Webster the dog arrives at Green Meadows Farm, he has already been adopted, mistreated, and given away three times and is done with people, but the other animals at the shelter will not let him give up on the possibility of a special family. 

This is a true animal lover’s story about a black lab who has been mistreated and ends up at a very loving rescue animal farm for cats and dogs. However, Webster doesn’t think he is going to trust anyone again and tries to set off on his own as a tough dog. He even takes on the name The Bad Hat. As he escapes out of the shelter other animals come with him but always return to the farm. In fact, so does Webster where he begins to enjoy the company of his new friends and the late-night movie watching tradition. But, he always leaves again to try and make it on his own. Along the way, funny rescues happen. I begin thinking that Webster was kind of an accidental Superman in animal form. 

I recommend this book as a read aloud for teachers or a great read for any animal lover!  It is a feel good story and a great book to encourage adoption of rescue dogs.