83 pages • 2 hours read
Gordon KormanNo More Dead Dogs
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2000A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Essay Topics
In Chapter 3, Wallace’s mom suggests that insulting Old Shep, My Pal is the same as insulting Mr. Fogelman since he likes the book so much. Do you think insulting something that someone likes is the same as insulting them? Why or why not?
When did you know Dylan was responsible for the attacks on the play? Why then? Do you think Korman included enough misdirection? If not, what could he have done differently to obscure Dylan as the guilty party?
Does Trudi’s point-of-view feel necessary to the story? Why or why not? Why do you think Korman included Trudi’s perspective?
Do you agree that sports are given more importance in American education? Why or why not? If so, why do you think that is? If not, what activity do you think is given more importance and why?
Did you predict Mr. Fogelman’s personality shift, specifically him chilling with the Dead Mangoes? If so when, and what clues made it clear he would change so much? If not, did the change seem too sudden or unbelievable? Why or why not?
In Chapter 16, the football coach says Wallace brings out the best in people. Do you agree or disagree with this view? Why? If you disagree, what effect does Wallace have that seems to sway people to his side?
Do you agree with the kids’ decision to change the end of Old Shep, My Pal so the dog lives? Why or why not? If not, how would you have ended the play and why?
What do you think Korman’s message is regarding the death of dogs in literature? How might this relate to his father’s dramatic lies or the fabrication of sensational news stories?
Why do you think Mr. Fogelman was so attached to Old Shep, My Pal? Why do you think he refused to see Wallace’s perspective, even when Wallace presented his criticism in a constructive manner? What does Mr. Fogelman’s character arc tell you about how education works? Does it indicate flaws in the education system? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
Throughout No More Dead Dogs, it is suggested that the truth matters less than what people believe. Do you think this is true? Why or why not? Do you find yourself choosing to believe something that then becomes your truth? Have you ever had something you internalized as truth disproved? How did that feel, and can you compare that moment to how the truth is handled in No More Dead Dogs?
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