By Luize Pastore (author) , Reinis Pētersons (illustrator)
"Quirky and unusual adventure with traces of myth and magic"
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Riga is the setting for this fairy-tale like adventure, and the city is depicted so clearly that it’s almost a character in the story. Jacob lives with his father and, often lonely, distracts himself by drawing maps of the city and dreaming about its myths, especially the one that says when the city is finally complete, all building work finished, its river will rise up and flood the streets.
When he’s sent across town to stay with his uncle and cousin, he finds himself caught up in a battle against developers with – of all things – a pack of talking dogs at his side. The real world and magic mix in a story that will wriggle its way into children’s imaginations and stay there for a long time.
Jacob Bird lives in Riga with his father. Jacob loves maps like his dad, and is fascinated by the legend which warns that no one must say `Riga is ready' or the river will flood the town, tall ships will sail down the main street, and the city will have to start all over again. One day Jacob mutters the fateful words. But all that happens is he is sent to live for the summer with his grumpy cousin Mimi and Uncle Eagle, because his dad is too busy to look after him.
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But strange things are afoot in the run-down Maskatchaka district of Riga, where Jacob now has to live. Evil Skylar Scraper's scheme to transform it into a concrete jungle is being fought tooth and paw by the stray dogs, lead by their fierce commander Boss, his mate Bianca and their twin puppies. Jacob is astonished when Boss starts to talk to him, but hurt when Mimi doesn't want him to join their fight against Skylar.
Then Bianca goes missing and Jacob's maps may be the only thing that can bring her home and save the talking dogs of Maskatchka.
Originally published in Latvian as Maska?kas st?sts (A Tale of the Maskachka District) in 2013, this heart-warming novel tells the story of Jacob Bird, who is fighting to save a run-down but characterful area of his hometown of Riga from developers, with the help of the district’s very own gang of talking dogs.
The book won The Annual Latvian Literature Prize for The Best Children’s Book 2014, and was included in a Latvian Children’s Jury list. Latvian National Radio has created a radio play version, and it is also currently being made into an animation film.
Translated from the Latvian by Žanete V?vere Pasqualini.
'Dog Town is a charming middle-grade adventure, full of plot surprises, wisdom and quirky humour – it’s Pastore’s debut in English, and I hope there’ll be a lot more to come.' Daniel Hahn
Luīze Pastore lives in the Latvian countryside and teaches creative writing workshops for children. As well as the prizes for Dog Town, Luīze has also received several awards for her Art Detectives series: The White Ravens 2016, Pastariņš Prize 2017, International Baltic Sea Region Jānis Baltvilks Prize in Children’s Literature and Book Art 2015, Latvian Children’s Jury Award 2016 and The Annual Latvian Literature Prize for The Best Children’s Book 2016. Find out more about Luīze here.
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Jacob Bird lives in Riga with his father. Jacob loves maps like his dad, and is fascinated by the legend which warns that no one must say `Riga is ready' or the river will flood the town, tall ships will sail down the main street, and the city will have to start all over again.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Dog Town and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-10 years old
Dog Town features in the following genres: Adventure Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Featured Books for 7+ readers, Recommendations, Featured Books for 9+ readers
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. Not Available.
Dog Town was written by Luize Pastore and published by Firefly Press Ltd
Dog Town has 185 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. Not Available.
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