Spotting Dottie

by Gail Anderson-Dargatz

Overview

Charlotte is going to prove her grandma is right—the lake monster is real!

When Charlotte gets a drone for her fourteenth birthday, she’s determined to get footage of Dottie, the elusive lake monster of Dorothy Lake. Her grandma, who has dedicated her life to searching for the monster, is the joke of the town. But when Charlotte manages to capture a video of the monster and posts it online, she’s the sudden target of a media storm. Now everyone is making fun of her too. Worse, droves of monster hunters arrive in her town, crowding the lake. When their boat propellers threaten to hurt Dottie, Charlotte is faced with a difficult choice.

This short novel is a high—interest, low—reading level book for middle—grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459834828
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	04/16/2024
Series:	Orca Currents Series
Edition description:	High readability edition
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 5.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	HL540L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Gail Anderson—Dargatz is the award—winning author of over a twenty books, including The Cure for Death by Lightning and A Recipe for Bees, which were finalists for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. She has also written a number of short novels for striving readers, including the Orca Anchor title My Life Off—Key, Orca Currents titles Bigfoot Crossing and Iggy’s World, both JLG Gold Standard Selections and The Ride Home, which was shortlisted for a BC and Yukon Book Prize. Gail taught for nearly a decade in the CW MFA program at UBA and now works as an editor and mentor. She lives in the Shuswap region of British Columbia.

Editorial Reviews

A fabulous read that will leave its readers wondering: 'What would I do if I was placed in a similar situation?’ Highly Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

Gail Anderson—Dargatz deftly demonstrates a young teenager’s voice in Charlotte, who is a relatable character…The interesting plot of hunting for lake monsters is very suitable for this audience of late elementary students.”

Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Children’s Book News

This story offers an excellent opportunity to talk about topics such as bullying, community, family, and difference in a non—threatening venue.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

In addition to being a fun story with a surprising and satisfying outcome, [Spotting Dottie] tackles valuable interpersonal struggles like truth—telling, self—sacrifice, endangered animals, teasing and bullying, and intergenerational family communication, all in natural and surprisingly subtle ways.”

Booklist

Readers will relate to Charlotte’s dogged enthusiasm to redeem her beloved grandmother’s reputation, as well as the allure and volatility of internet fame… Anderson—Dargatz’s novel tackles faith, family dynamics, and staying true to yourself in hi—lo format…A realistic fiction novel with a fun cryptid twist. A recommended addition to hi—lo ­collections.”

School Library Journal (SLJ)