Dogs Don't Tell Jokes facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Louis Sachar |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Knopf |
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Publication date
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1991 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 240 |
| Preceded by | Someday Angeline |
Dogs Don't Tell Jokes is a funny book written by Louis Sachar. He is a famous author known for books like Holes. This story is about a boy named Gary who loves to tell jokes. It's also a follow-up to another book called Someday Angeline.
Contents
What is Dogs Don't Tell Jokes About?
The main character is Gary Boone, who calls himself "Goon." He is in seventh grade and thinks he is the funniest kid in class. Gary tells jokes all the time, but most people don't find them very funny. Because of this, he doesn't have many close friends at school.
Gary decides to enter a talent show as a stand-up comedian. This challenge makes him think about how his jokes affect others. He also starts to wonder if his humor is helping or hurting him. His old friends support him and help him get ready for the show.
Gary's Big Decision
Throughout the book, Gary keeps changing his mind about the talent show. Sometimes he wants to compete, and other times he wants to quit. He even quits at one point, but then he decides to rejoin the show.
Gary also starts to feel unhappy with his image as just "the joke teller." He tries to change himself and become more popular. He makes friends with Joe, a popular kid in his class. They spend time playing football together. Gary also starts collecting baseball cards, which is a new hobby for him.
A Surprising Offer
Gary tells his parents about his new interests and how he wants to change. He expects them to tell him to just "be himself." Instead, they encourage his new path. They even offer him $100 if he can go three weeks without telling a single joke. The three weeks end on the night of the talent show.
The Talent Show Night
When the night of the talent competition arrives, Gary is extremely nervous. He is not even listed in the program because he had quit earlier. Luckily, his friend Joe makes sure he can still perform. Gary is placed last in the show.
A Wobbly Start
When it's Gary's turn to go on stage, he is so nervous that he has a small accident. He also makes a mistake right at the beginning of his act. Soon, he completely forgets his jokes and what he planned to say.
A Hilarious Rescue
Just when things seem to be going wrong, two kids who often tease Gary come to his rescue. They spray water and throw pies at him! This unexpected moment makes the audience laugh. It also gives Gary a chance to restart his comedy routine.
His act then goes smoothly, and he surprises everyone by showing off his newly shaved head. Gary wins the first prize of $100. More importantly, he earns the respect of his classmates.
