The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
Original ISBN 978-0-385-51210-7
Doubleday, 2003
226 pages

Plot Summary: Fifteen-year old Christopher Boone sees the world a bit differently. (It is not directly stated in the book, but it appears that Christopher suffers from some form of Autism, possibly Asperger syndrome). He loves math and mysteries. When he is accused of killing a neighbor’s black standard poodle, Christopher decides to investigate to find the killer himself, writing everything down in a notebook. When his father confiscates the notebook, Christopher tries to find it, but finds letters written by his mother whom his father said died two years before. Christopher discovers the truth about his mother, his father, and the death of the neighbor’s dog.  

Critical Evaluation: Haddon wrote this novel for an adult audience and was surprised when the publisher marketed the book for Young Adults as well. The book alternates between Christopher’s writings in his notebook to his telling his story. It is apparent that though Christopher may have some type of autism disorder, he is high functioning and brilliantly intelligent. The book, however, allows others to see the real Christopher; no one could have gotten close to understanding him otherwise.

Reader’s Annotation: When Christopher investigates the death of his neighbor’s dog,
he discovered more than he bargained for.

Author Information: Haddon is an English writer born in 1962.  He began by writing and illustrating children’s books. Since, he has written adult novels and screenplays. As a young man, he worked with individuals with disabilities including those with autism. Haddon was awarded the 2003 Whitbred Book of the Year Award. In 2004, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time earned Haddon the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize for Overall Best First Book, Alex Award, and a share of the Boeke Prize.

His website can be found at http://www.markhaddon.com/

Genre: Crossover; Mystery

Curriculum Ties: English Language Arts to illustrate plot

Booktalking Ideas: I would begin a book talk by reading the section of the book where Christopher details his “behavioral problems.” I might also show clips of movies depicting high-functioning autism: Adam, Rain Man, Temple Grandin, or Mozart & the Whale.

Reading Level / Interest Age: Adult crossover

Lexile: 1180

Challenge Issues: In 2011, the book was removed from a Michigan middle school’s summer reading list due to profanity.

Reason for Item’s Inclusion: My high school recently had a new principal appointed. On one of my first meetings with her, she asked if the library had The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. I located the book and decided to read it.

References:

DeFever, D. (2010, July 21). ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’ removed from Lake Fenton Middle School summer reading list (with poll). Retrieved from http://www.mlive.com/fenton/index.ssf/2010/07/the_curious_incident_of_the_do.html