The Last Dogs by Christopher Holt

This is the first book of a series, but it makes a good story on its own.  It opens with a dog shut in a kennel for days.  For some reason, all people have disappeared.  If he doesn't escape, he will die.  Luckily, he meets up with a charming, if somewhat lazy, dachshund.  Convinced that an old black lab has the answers they need, the dogs set out on their own. Together, the two strive to find their missing people.  During their journey, they must battle a pack of hungry wolves, escape a group of militant dogs, and survive countless hazards.  The ending is wildly exciting, but of course, they haven't found their people.  It is a series, after all! A good read, this book might be challenging for young readers.

White Fur Flying by Patricia MacLachlan

This is a charming story that would make an excellent read aloud...and it won't take long to finish.  On one side of a fence is an old farmhouse filled with a family that rescues big, white dogs.  On the other side of the fence are the new neighbors: a seemingly uptight aunt and a nephew who no longer speaks.  How the two sides become connected is the meat of the story.  A talking parrot and a bad storm lead to a satisfying ending.

The Blessing Cup by Patricia Polacco

Here is another touching story from Patricia Polacco's family history.  This one centers around a beautiful tea set given to one of her ancestors while the family lived in Russia.  The book traces how the tea set sustains the family through the Russian pograms, follows the family into America, and continues their traditions to the present day.  This is an excellent read aloud to celebrate family history, to show that rich does not always mean money, and even to introduce the concepts of the holocaust and discrimination.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

August is, in most ways, a pretty typical fifth grade boy.  He loves Star Wars and his dog, Daisy.  Even though he is smart, August has never been to school.  You see, August's face is, well, deformed, so his parents have homeschooled him all these years.  This year, though, that all changes.  August is going to school for the first time.  What happens to him and to those around him during this year is the story told in Wonder.  How he handles all the challenges and opportunities makes an amazing and touching story.  This is, hands down, one of the best books I read this year.