How to Steal a Dog (novel)

How to Steal a Dog is a 2007 children's novel written by Barbara O'Connor. The story is narrated by Georgina Hayes, a young girl living in poverty with her mother and younger brother in rural North Carolina. Having recently been evicted from their apartment and now living in their car, Georgina becomes convinced that stealing a dog and collecting the reward money offered for its safe return is the key to solving her family's financial problems.

The novel follows Georgina's attempts to put her plan into action, detailing the moral and ethical dilemmas she faces as she becomes increasingly attached to the dog, Willy, which she has stolen from a wealthy family. Throughout the story, Georgina grapples with feelings of guilt and the conflict between her desperate need for money and the understanding that her actions are wrong.

Themes explored in the book include poverty, homelessness, the importance of family, honesty, and the blurred lines between right and wrong when faced with difficult circumstances. The novel is often used in middle school classrooms to spark discussions about empathy, social inequality, and the impact of poverty on children.

The book has been critically acclaimed and has won several awards, including the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award and the Golden Kite Award.