Sophia Starr and a Dog to love by Sarah Lipman is a wholesome story of a kid with love for animals but a bit extra for dog that will make you smile, laugh, and — fine, maybe tearing…
“Sophia looks longingly across the café at a beautiful
husky dog with piercing blue eyes. As Sophia turns in bed later that night, she hears the
echoes of her parents’ voices coming from downstairs.
She catches the word “dog” from their conversation”
Book Review: Sophia Starr and a Dog to Love
We meet Sophia Starr: dog-lover, big-hearted, slightly over-enthusiastic kid. When her parents agree to let her dog-sit instead of actually owning a dog, (classic parent behaviour) but Sophia thinks she’s just hit the jackpot.
Enter Crystal, a fluffy Lhasa Apso, the first guest in what quickly becomes the most adorable thing ever: Sophia’s unofficial “dog hotel.”
From Crystal to Benjamin (the Yorkshire terrier) to Zeus (the majestic chow chow), Sophia’s life now go around belly rubs, poop bags and patience. But it’s not just all wagging tails — there’s a mysterious woman in a purple raincoat, a best friend getting hurt and acting weird, and a ballet exam that’s going to happen very soon. Results..??
Basically, it’s middle school meets The Secret Life of Pets.
“She feels as if the dogs she’s taken out of magazines are smiling down at her, and she grins back at them.”
Because Sarah Lipman knows it very well. She knows what it’s like to love something so much it becomes part of your identity (in Sophia’s case: dogs, infact many dogs..).
And she has beautifully shown that in-between age — where you’re old enough to want responsibility but still young enough to believe every wish could come true if you try hard enough.
The book is sweet, but not messy. Funny, but not too much. And the animals? Absolute scene stealers and story focussed. Honestly, I’d watch a series/movies about these dogs too. You tooo..?
A few things that made me smile:
- Sophia’s diary entries are entertaining. (chaotic and charming)
- The “dog hotel” concept.
- Her parents’ mix of skepticism and admiration (obv. in secret).
- That feeling of being a lil mature just a little with each new pet.
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| Genre | Kids |
| Number of Pages | 100 pages |
| My Rating | 4.5⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Release Date | October 28, 2025 |
What I Loved
Lipman’s writing is breezy, kinda smooth and cinematic — you can imagine things when you read, basically dogs can be seen bouncing around, you can feel the walks, and feel Sophia’s nerves before her ballet exam. It’s cozy, sweet & comforting. (a bit mischief too…)
The pacing is spot on too: you’ll smoothly finish the chapters and suddenly realize you’re smiling at your Kindle, yes we all do that :).
Quotes:
“If only everyone loved their dogs the way you do.”
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Final Verdict?
Overall, a very good read…By the end, Sophia’s world and the story have both developed in the best way possible. And yours will probably too after reading.
Who should read it:
- it’s for kids who treat their pets like siblings
- If you are a dog parents who still talk in baby voices.
- Readers who secretly feel-good stories with a middle grade touch.
- People who believe dogs do understand us
Books like Sophia Starr and a Dog to Love:
- A Dog Called Homeless by Sarah Lean
- Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
