Dogtown

Does the novel suggest that Metal Head is a living creature? If yes, what characteristics give him life? If not, what about him prevents this? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Compare and contrast Quinn’s reading buddy relationship with Metal Head to the typical reading buddy relationship (a child reading to an organic dog). What messages does Quinn’s situation offer about the individuality of the learning process? How does Quinn’s relationship with Metal Head contribute to the eventual lessening of tensions between living and robot dogs?

Choose three characters from Dogtown and explore how each contributes to a broader discussion about uniqueness and disabilities. How does the society in which the characters live affect their experience of disability?

Using Quinn’s relationship with Green Eggs and Ham, explore the novel’s depiction of books and reading. How do stories encourage thinking and growth in the characters? How does Dogtown offer learning opportunities to its readers, and what important discussions would disappear without books like Dogtown?

Compare and contrast the dog-sitter and Management. How does their treatment of Chance help or hinder her on her journey toward her forever home? How do the dog-sitter and Management contribute to the discussion of animal rights and welfare in a human-controlled world?

Examine the role that the Dogtown shelter plays in the lives of the dogs (organic and robotic) and humans that live or work there. What benefits and drawbacks does Dogtown offer to each group? Do the benefits outweigh the downsides? Why or why not? What messages about animal shelters and their role in a community does the novel offer?

Examine the portrayal of teamwork between Chance, Metal Head, and Mouse. What strengths and weaknesses does each bring to the group, and how do their species’ unique abilities help or hinder the group’s efforts? What do the accomplishments of this group suggest about diversity and success? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

Explore the different locations and activities within the Dogtown shelter, both in terms of what they mean for the shelter’s dogs and in terms of how they reveal The Dangers of Inequality. What aspects of society at large do the different parts of Dogtown represent?