12 Tail-Wagging Books for Teenage Dog Lovers
Do you have a dog lover in your home? These heart-warming dog books offer stories of deep friendship, loyalty, and affection. Your teen will “woof” down these adventurous tales, which celebrate the lasting bond between man and dog.
Our family is currently fostering an adorable golden retriever for some friends of ours who are out of town for a few months. We have enjoyed this special time even more than we expected. Kona’s (the dog’s name) loyalty and affection have reminded me why dogs, from ages past, have always been called a man’s best friend.
Wonderful Dog Books for Teens
Reader beware! These moving stories might bring tears to your eyes. Grab your tissues and read next to your favorite furry friend.
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
Billy Colman and his family live in Oklahoma’s Ozark Mountains. He longs for a pair of hunting dogs and works for years to earn enough money to buy them. Billy becomes best friends with these dogs as they bound into the woods hunting night after night. These deeply moving, humorous, and adventurous dog stories of his unique friendship with his dogs are truly unforgettable.
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- Wilson Rawls (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 304 Pages – 09/01/1996 (Publication Date) – Yearling (Publisher)
Lad: A Dog by Albert Payson Terhune
Lad, a collie dog living in Sunny Bank, Virginia, lives with his mate Lady and his owners. Through his heroic actions, Lad earns the respect of his owners and the other dogs living there. Throughout the story, Lad’s courage and noble deeds are present in every adventure he undertakes. Terhune writes these tales based vaguely on true stories and adventures he had with his own collie named Lad.
- Albert Payson Terhune (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 288 Pages – 07/01/1993 (Publication Date) – Puffin Books (Publisher)
Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Animal lovers will adore this classic story about man’s best friend. Marty Preston immediately bonds with an abused dog named Shiloh. He takes him in, hiding him from his previous owner and his family. When he finds that Shiloh was attacked by another dog, Marty brings him home. Consequently, his family discovers his secret. His perseverance to have Shiloh as his own keeps Marty and the dog together. Grab your tissues for this story! You’re going to need them!
- Hardcover Book
- Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (Author)
- 01/01/1823 (Publication Date) – Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Publisher)
Call of the Wild by Jack London
Buck is a tame, spoiled dog living luxuriously in California. Suddenly, he is stolen from his owner and becomes a sled dog. Buck learns to embrace the wild environment, relying on his survival instincts. He befriends a man named John Thornton, but when his friend dies, Buck eventually yields to the call of the wild.
- London, Jack (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 106 Pages – 02/18/2021 (Publication Date) – Reader’s Library Classics (Publisher)
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate De Camillo
A young girl named Opal Buloni and her father move to Florida after her mother abandoned their family. In a local store there, Opal meets a scraggly stray dog, whom she names after the store: Winn-Dixie. Winn-Dixie’s reckless spirit helps Opal make new friends and form a new life.
- DiCamillo, Kate (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 192 Pages – 01/26/2021 (Publication Date) – Candlewick (Publisher)
The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford
In this classic dog story, two dogs and a Siamese cat endeavor to find their way back home after being dropped off with friends while their owners go away for a camping trip. They experience many difficulties in this daring venture, including some near-death encounters. Don’t worry, though, this story has a good ending! Our kids loved reading this book and watching the movie!
- Burnford, Sheila (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 160 Pages – 01/22/1997 (Publication Date) – Yearling (Publisher)
White Fang by Jack London
White Fang is born into a harsh environment in the Yukon territory. As he learns the ways of the wild, he meets a man who trains him to be a sled dog. After getting into a violent fight with another dog, he is rescued by a man named Weedson Scott. Scott takes White Fang to his home, where he is loved and becomes the family’s new pet.
- London, Jack (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 126 Pages – 02/09/2020 (Publication Date) – Independently published (Publisher)
Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
This classic historical fiction is about the famous and beloved dog, Old Yeller. Arliss and Travis stumble upon a stray dog while their father is gone. They take him in, naming him Old Yeller. Travis’s perspective of a dog changes when he bonds deeply with Old Yeller. His loyalty is shown in his brave exploits to protect the family. However, the story’s end takes a tragic turn, as Travis is forced to make a difficult decision.
- Gipson, Fred (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 192 Pages – 12/23/2003 (Publication Date) – HarperCollins (Publisher)
Togo by Robert J. Blake
Togo is a real-life story about a dog who is seemingly too spirited and feisty to be a sled dog. But when his master gives him a chance, he shows not only to be a good sled dog, but also a good leader. He plays an important role when the diphtheria disease breaks out. He and the team of dogs carry the critical serum, which will save many lives.
- Hardcover Book
- Blake, Robert J. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 48 Pages – 10/14/2002 (Publication Date) – Philomel Books (Publisher)
Shelby’s Story by W. Bruce Cameron
One of W. Bruce Cameron’s many amazing dog adventures, Shelby’s Story is a heart-warming story that is told from a dog’s perspective. Shelby begins her life at a low point as a stray but grows into a loved and renowned dog.A wonderful book for young readers!
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Cameron, W. Bruce (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 200 Pages – 11/06/2018 (Publication Date) – Odd Dot (Publisher)
Dogsong by Gary Paulsen
Russell embarks on a journey of determination and strength. Guided by a man named Oogruk, he finds a connection to the heritage and culture of his home. Finally, he finds his own song: “dogsong”. It commemorates his bond with the dogs and their journey together.
- Paulsen, Gary (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 192 Pages – 05/08/2007 (Publication Date) – Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (Publisher)
Seaman by Gail Wanger Porwaski
In this true classic story, Lewis and Clark explore the Louisiana Purchase with their dog, Seaman. Lewis and Clark’s crew loves the new dog, and he protects them on their adventurous journey westward. The details in this story are drawn from Lewis’s diary and are a realistic view of their experience.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Karwoski, Gail Langer (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 200 Pages – 05/17/2011 (Publication Date) – Peachtree Publishing (Publisher)
Leave a Comment!
I hope your teens enjoy these fantastic dog books as much as mine have! What books would you add to this list?
