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Posted by Cheryl, Teen Services Librarian

The Curioius Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon, is about a teenage boy named Christopher Boone. Christopher was born with Asperger's Syndrome (Asperger's Syndrome is a disorder on the Autism spectrum). He was trying to figure out who murdered his neighbor's dog, Wellington. He eventually found out who murdered the dog, and not just that, he discovered many other things too. I think this is a very interesting and mysterious book. It's mysterious because it makes you want to find out what is going to happen next. It is also interesting because it teaches you a lot about people with Asperger's Syndrome. It teaches you about all the difficulties people with Autism have. I recommend this book to teenagers and anybody who likes to read. - Reviewed by Kathy. .
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Teen Speak said…
Summary: The novel is about Christopher, an autistic fifteen year old. Christopher explains that two years before the events in the book, his mother had died of a heart condition. Christopher discovers that his neighbor, Mrs. Shears's dog, Wellington, had been murder by a garden fork. Mrs. Shears, thinking Christopher was the murderer, calls the police. Christopher hits the police officer, is arrested, and then released with a police caution. Christopher decided to investigate Wellington's death, despite his father, Ed, having told him to stay out of other peoples' business. During his investigation, he meets Mrs. Alexander, who reveals to Christopher that his mother had an affair with Mr. Shears. Ed discovers that Christopher was writing a novel on the investigation and confiscates it. While searching for his book, Christopher finds a shoe box with letter addressed to him from his mother dated after to “death.” Ed realizes that he read the letters and confesses that his mother was not dead that that he killed Wellington. Christopher, having lost all trust in his father, runs away to his mother. Guided by her address from the letters, he goes on an adventure in the train stations. He eventually reaches his mother, who is happy to see him. However, Mr. Shears, rejects Christopher and does not want him to stay with them. This leads to Christopher and his mother to move out and move into a rented room. To make up for all of his lies, Ed gives Christopher a puppy.

Opinion: I personally enjoyed this book very much. I found it interesting and refreshing to read a book written from the perspective of someone who has autism. Although, Christopher views the world differently, I found myself understanding and agreeing with Christopher. After reading this book, I felt like, Christopher is a person I would like to meet and get to know. This book is a feat of literature, because it so beautifully captures the emotions and thoughts of an autistic child. It is a moving book and worth reading.

Reviewed by: Pooja G., Grade: 10
Glendale Central Library
March 26, 2014 at 4:53 PM
Teen Speak said…
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon is about Christopher Boone, who struggles with autism. The book begins with the murder of his neighbors dog Wellington and Christopher's search in finding the murderer, which eventually leads to more secrets of Christopher's past. Through out his journey to London, he is calmed by numbers and his passion for math. This book is kind of like a journal written by Christopher in which he is discovering things about himself, his family, the outside world around him, and his intriguing way of interpreting and perceiving his surroundings.

Over all this book was one that was very difficult for me to get through, not because it was bad but the complexity of the protagonist Christopher Boone was one that I had never encountered in my life. Since he has a form of autism, he lacks emotional empathy, the ability to understand his emotions, and basic social things such as understanding metaphors and similes. I love how Christopher strives to do well in school and learns how to be independent. At times his character is hard to deal with because of his problems and fits which is what made this book a challenge for me but overall you grow attached to him and have to keep reading to see if he's doing all right.

Reviewed by: Nayri T., grade 10
Casa Verdugo Library
March 27, 2014 at 1:47 PM
Teen Speak said…
Christopher may be autistic, but that doesn’t stop him from being smart. He had a normal life, until one day, minutes past midnight, Christopher spots his neighbor’s dog dead on her lawn. He decides to hug it because he loves animals and his neighbor accuses him of killing her dog. Although his father strictly orders him not to, Christopher must prove the real killer is not him and decides to make a book about it. Struggling to find the mystery killer by finding clues, Christopher discovers that solving this case is not as easy as he thought it to be.

Well, I thought the book would be boring because of the cover, but I was definitely wrong. I couldn't put the book down because of the sudden plot twists and Christopher's reactions to them. I felt sympathetic for Christopher because he is only 16 and autistic and was blamed for killing a dog, which he didn't do. I also liked Christopher's unexpected behavior, unusual personality, and creative plans. I would rate this book a 5.0 overall because of the suspenseful and dramatic ending.

Reviewed by Daniel H., Grade 8
Downtown Central Library
July 16, 2018 at 11:13 AM
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