Strange Neighbors (Sam: Dog Detective)
Sam: Dog Detective Series
on Goodreads (7)
What’s inside...
Having the ability to read the mind of Sam, her neighbor's dog, Jennie picks up signals that something is amiss at the house next door, and realizes that she needs to help her canine friend solve the mystery in order to put an end to the odd events. Jennie Levinsky can hear what her neighbors' sheepdog, Sam, is thinking, and the junk-food-loving dog detective is thinking up more misadventures in this fast-paced, funny mystery. Sam: Dog Detective thinks there's a mystery brewing right next door! Three very odd women have moved in with a house full of caged animals. What's more, a scary-looking man comes and goes at odd hours. Sam is convinced the new neighbors are witches. After all, those animals look so wretched they must be under a spell. Curiously, Sam isn't feeling well, either. Have the witches put a hex on her, too? Can Sam, together with Jennie and her best friend, Beth, discover the truth before it's too late?
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
120 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes Sam a good detective?
How do you feel about the way Sam interacts with the other characters?
If you were in Sam's place, how would you handle the mysteries?
What lessons can we learn about friendship and trust from the book?
Can you think of a time when you had to solve a mystery or a problem like Sam?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Sam's shoes, fostering empathy and critical thinking. Discuss the importance of observation and questioning, just like a real detective. Highlight the values of persistence and courage when facing challenges. Use real-life examples that are relatable to your child's experiences to connect the themes of the book to their world.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: In 'Strange Neighbors', Sam, the dog detective, shows empathy by trying to understand the feelings and motivations of the other animal characters.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to consider the feelings of their friends and peers, fostering a more compassionate and understanding social environment.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The protagonist, Sam, demonstrates problem-solving skills as he uncovers clues and solves the mystery of the strange neighbors.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop critical thinking skills and encourage them to approach problems in their own lives with a clear and logical mindset.
Example Lesson: Courage and Bravery
Explanation: Sam shows courage when confronting unknown situations and potentially scary neighbors, teaching children the value of facing their fears.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of bravery in unfamiliar situations, helping them to overcome their own fears and challenges.
Example Lesson: Value of Curiosity
Explanation: Sam's curiosity leads him to explore and ask questions, driving the narrative forward.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to be inquisitive about the world around them, promoting a love for learning and discovery.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, Sam collaborates with other characters to gather information and solve the mystery.
Real-World Application: This underscores the importance of working together, showing children how teamwork can lead to achieving goals that might be hard to accomplish alone.