Middle Grade selection

Book and Author Information

John Grogan is a columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer and the author of the bestselling memoir, Marley & Me, which served as the basis for Marley: A Dog Like No Other. Mr. Grogan grew up in Michigan and became a writer, he says, "by default," since he was so bad at everything else. By eighth grade, he was writing parodies of his teachers and his underground tabloid won him a trip to the principal's office in high school. After graduation from Central Michigan University, his first job was as a police reporter for a small town newspaper in the harbor town of St. Joseph. He received a fellowship at Ohio State University and after earning his master's degree, he was awarded a second fellowship, this time in St. Petersburg, Florida. Deciding the Florida weather was better than winters in Michigan, Mr. Grogan accepted a job at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, eventually becoming their metropolitan columnist. At this point, Marley arrived and Mr. Grogan's life was forever changed.

Mr. Grogan lives in Pennsylvania, with his wife, Jenny, their three children, and Gracie, their Labrador (a much calmer successor to Marley).

• John Grogan Books. http://www.johngroganbooks.com/about.html
  The author's official website provides a short biography as well as information about John Grogan's books.

• Harper Collins. http://www.harpercollins.com/author/microsite/About.aspx?authorid=29441
  The publisher of Mr. Grogan's books provides biographical information and links to articles written about the author and his books.

• Barnes & Noble: Meet the Writers. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/writers/writer.asp?cid=1444122
  Barnes & Noble has included an audio interview with the author as well as a short biography.

• Marley & Me Movie. http://marleyandmemovie.com
  The bestselling original adult book is now a major motion picture; plug-ins are needed to access this website.

Some additional resources are available in the archives of the Collaborative Summer Reading Website.

• What a pet! http://www.cslpreads.org/2006/whatapet.htm
  The collaborative compiled a list of dog related websites that include the American Kennel Club, Pets with Disabilities, R.E.A.D., a therapy dog website and more.

• The perfect pet for me! http://www.cslpreads.org/2006/perfectpet.htm
  Also from the 2006 Collaborative website, this page contains links to sites on choosing a pet and dog care, among other pet related topics.

Awards and recognition for Marley: A Dog Like No Other:

• North Dakota Flicker Tale Juvenile Book Award (2008)
• Nominated for Louisiana Young Readers Choice Book Award
• School Selection Guide Core Issue: Nonfiction Titles to Order, K-6 (2008-09)