Nothing Wrong With a Three-Legged Dog
by Graham McNamee
From Horn
Book
Keath, the only white kid in his class, identifies with his
best friend's three-legged dog. Both are misfits, but both manage to survive.
Lots of happy endings here--the dog earns a ribbon in a show for dogs with
disabilities, and Keath overcomes the school bully, realizes he has friends, and
comes to terms with his grandmother's stroke. This is a quick, easy, and
undemanding read that's satisfying nonetheless. Copyright © 2001 The Horn
Book, Inc. All rights reserved.
**Author, Graham McNamee**
This link takes you to the author's official website. It seems to be new, so you might want to check back often for updates!
http://www.grahamsbooks.com/sites.html
**Dog Breeds**
Throughout this book, we read lots of different dog breed names. In case you've always thought that all dogs were alike, you might want to brush up on your dog facts. Click on these links below to learn all you ever wanted to know (and then some!) about dog breeds.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/abc.htm An alphabetical listing of dog breeds.
http://www.digitaldog.com/breeds.html Another dog breed site.
http://www.akc.org/index.cfm Official site of the American Kennel Club.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm Take this quiz to see what breed is right for your family.
http://www2.dogshow.com/fall2002/catalog/ A Virtual Dog Show!
**Veterinarian**
On page 8, Lynda tells Keath that her Mom is a Veterinarian. Maybe you want to be one too, or perhaps you'd just like to know more about this profession. Whatever your reason, these links will help you find out everything you need to know about this interesting occupation. Take a look!
http://www.veterinarianfind.com/VETERINARIANFIND-WHATISAVETERINARIAN.htm What is a veterinarian? Find out here!
http://www.talktothevet.com/faqvetcareer.HTM Thinking about becoming a vet? Here’s a site full of questions you might have about this profession.
http://www.efn.org/~hkrieger/vet.htm “A Day in the Life of a Mobile Veterinarian”—Great pictures!
http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/aboutvets/aboutvets.asp#3 Practical info about vets, including how to select the best one for you and your pet.
**Handicapped Pets**
On pages 8 & 9, Keath meets Lynda's dog, Leftovers. Leftovers is a special pet because "his back left leg was totally gone, with just a stump where it should have been." He also lost one of his ears the same time he lost his leg. "Got hit by a car." While it might seem difficult to care for a handicapped pet, these links give good advice for those who are willing to try.
http://www.handicappedpets.com/
http://www.k9carts.com/success_stories.asp Success stories and pictures from K9-Carts.
http://www.handicappedpets.com/thegallery.htm Pictures of handicapped pets-- NOT for making fun of, just to raise awareness!
**Stroke Awareness**
Keath's Mom and Dad really want him to go and visit his Gran at the Retirement Home where she lives. Keath is apprehensive about visiting because "she had a stroke in her brain." (p.21) Keath admits to us that "the truth is, Gran scares me now. The way she looks, it's like she's haunted or something. And she talks funny now, slurring all her words." (p.22) Eventually, Keath gets used to Gran's changes. These links will shed light on this common health problem and how to cope with the changes it can cause.
http://www.stroke.org/ National Stroke Association Website
http://www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=11402 What is a stroke? Information from the American Stroke Association (A division of the American Heart Association)
http://www.strokecenter.org/pat/warning.htm Warning signs of stroke
**Therapy Pets**
One reason Keath changes his mind about visiting Gran at the Retirement Home is because he learns that "they have cats and dogs that visit there twice a week." (p.61) Lynda's Mom tells him that those cats and dogs are called Therapy Pets. "They really help sick and mentally handicapped people reach out." (p.61) Click on these links to learn more about this great idea.
http://www.caringcritters.org/pets.htm
http://www.therapypets.com/animal-assisted-therapy-photo-album.html Great pictures!
**Saint Bernards**
On page 52, Keath's Dad tells him that one of the therapy dogs used at Gran's Retirement Home is a Saint Bernard, named Cheryl. Dad described it this way: "One of those big dogs, the ones that live up in the mountains. One of those. A big thing." Keath gets his dog guide and tells his parents all about this breed on page 53. You can read about Saint Bernards at the following websites.
http://www.saintbernardclub.org/
Official Saint Bernard Club of America Website
http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/stbern.cfm
Saint Bernard info
http://www.vtliving.com/saintbernards/ History behind Saint Bernards
**The Chrysler Building**
Keath's Dad is a security guard at the Chrysler Building. Find out more about it at these sites.
http://www.chryslerbuilding.org/index2.html Official Chrysler Building Website
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~1930s/DISPLAY/chrysler/Frame-1.html Building the Chrysler Building
http://www.thecityreview.com/chryslerb.html
http://www.skyscrapers.com/english/worldmap/building/0.9/114867/ Quick list of facts from Skyscrapers.com
**Model Airplanes**
During Keath's first visit with Gran she asks him if he has finished the Junkers. Keath is surprised she remembers. "The Junkers was the last model we worked on together. It's one of those German planes from World War II." (pp.70-71) Later, on page 99, Keath has shown her the completed Junkers model and lists all of his other finished models. "...a B-52, a Corsair and now the Junkers. I was thinking. I've done the Allies and the Germans. I thought maybe I'd do a Japanese plane next." Gran suggests a Japanese Zero, which was flown by Kamakaze pilots. Click on the picture links below to learn more about these airplane models.
http://www.lmasc.com/kids/index.htm Put together your own online model airplane, learn about the four flight forces, and test the speed of an online jet fighter. A super-cool interactive site for kids (of all ages!)
http://www.lerc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/index.html A beginner’s guide to aeronautics.
http://www.af.mil/news/factsheets/B_52_Stratofortress.html
B-52 info and picture
http://www.daveswebshop.com/hel80275.shtml
Corsair picture
http://www.daveswebshop.com/ha00453.shtml
Japanese Zero picture
http://www.daveswebshop.com/aa32502.shtml German Junkers picture
**Origami**
On page 100, Gran has made a small white frog out of folded paper for Keath. This is the art of Origami. Gran says "it's good therapy for my fingers. The nurse said I should start with something less difficult, but where's the fun there?" You can make your own Origami treasures by following the instructions at the following links. Happy folding!
http://dev.origami.com/images_pdf/baby_elephant.pdf
Instructions (complete with diagrams) on how to make your own Origami baby
elephant!
http://dev.origami.com/diagram.cfm
If you liked making the baby elephant, give these a try!
http://www.origami-usa.org/frames1c.htm Origami Fun Stuff!