Pug's Road Trip
by Kyla May
Pacing MaterialPug hits the road for a new adventure full of excitement and funny mishaps. It is a heartwarming tale perfect for young readers learning to navigate independence.
Big Idea
True friendship is defined by thoughtfulness and the ability to turn unexpected setbacks into creative solutions. Through Bub the Pug's journey, students learn that the best souvenirs are those that carry the heart and memory of an experience.
Discussion Questions
- 1.Why was it important to Bub and Bella to bring a souvenir back for Jack?
- 2.How did Bub feel when the original souvenirs broke, and how did he change his perspective?
- 3.What does this story teach us about how to handle disappointment when plans change?
- 4.If you were going on a road trip, what is one 'treasure' you would want to collect for a friend?
- 5.How does Bub's perspective as a dog make the road trip more exciting or funny?
Lesson Plan
Learning Goals
- Identify the sequence of events in a narrative.
- Practice creative problem-solving by repurposing materials.
- Express empathy and thoughtfulness through written and visual storytelling.
Activity Steps
- 1.Discuss the moment in the book where Bella's souvenirs break and how she solves the problem.
- 2.Ask students to brainstorm three 'special places' they have visited or would like to visit.
- 3.Provide paper and art supplies for students to draw a map connecting these locations.
- 4.Have students write one sentence for each location describing a 'treasure' or memory found there.
- 5.Allow students to share their maps with a partner, explaining why their chosen memories are special.
Standards Connections
- ELA: RL.K.3 (Describe characters, settings, and major events)
- ELA: W.K.3 (Use a combination of drawing and writing to narrate an event)
- SEL: Relationship Skills (Demonstrating care for others)
Pace-Write-Read Study with Pace-Write It!
Pug's Road Trip is an exemplary text for studying the craft of early chapter books because it balances high-interest, fast-paced action with the intimate, reflective voice of a diary. By analyzing how Kyla May uses the diary format, students can see how internal monologue drives a story forward while keeping the reader engaged through constant, bite-sized narrative beats. This book teaches the 'Pace-Write-Read' method by demonstrating how to use page turns as rhythmic tools. Each page turn acts as a mini-cliffhanger or a punchline, teaching students that writing for young readers requires a deliberate cadence where every sentence serves a purpose in moving the character toward their goal.
| Element | How to notice or teach it in the novel |
|---|---|
| Pace | The story moves quickly through short chapters, mirroring the excitement of a road trip. |
| Plot | The plot is driven by a clear goal: finding the perfect souvenir for Jack. |
| Prosody | The text uses enthusiastic, dog-centric language that encourages expressive reading aloud. |
| Word Pause | Short, punchy sentences allow for natural pauses that emphasize Bub's excitement. |
| Concept | The core concept is the 'road trip,' which provides a natural structure for episodic storytelling. |
| Voice & World View | The story is told entirely through Bub's eyes, focusing on smells, treats, and his love for Bella. |
| Setting & Place | The setting changes frequently, allowing the author to introduce new, quirky cousins at each stop. |
| Point of View | First-person perspective keeps the reader close to Bub's emotional journey. |
| Original Characters | Bub is a relatable, funny protagonist whose personality shines through his diary entries. |
| Dialogue | Dialogue is sparse and natural, keeping the focus on Bub's internal thoughts. |
| Details | Specific details about the 'treasures' Bub collects make the story feel grounded and real. |
| Descriptions | Descriptions are sensory-focused, highlighting what a pug would notice on a trip. |
| Strong First Lines | Each entry starts with a hook that immediately establishes the day's mission. |
| Immediacy & Engagement | The diary format makes the reader feel like they are experiencing the trip in real-time. |
| Story Scenes & Summaries & Unique Structures | The book uses a diary structure to summarize travel time and focus on key scenes. |
| Flashback & Flash Forward & Cliffhangers | The promise to Jack acts as a recurring anchor, creating tension throughout the trip. |
| Tension & Suspense & Surprise | The breaking of the souvenirs provides a moment of genuine suspense and emotional stakes. |
| Page Turns and Chapter Breaks | Page turns are used to reveal new locations or the result of a funny mishap. |
| Performance | The text is written to be performed with high energy and varied vocal tones. |
| Personality | Bub's personality is defined by his loyalty and his love for snacks. |
| Humor | Humor is derived from Bub's dog-like misunderstandings of human travel. |
| Pause | The author uses white space to create pauses between Bub's frantic thoughts. |
| Poetry and Poetic Devices | The rhythmic repetition of Bub's excitement creates a poetic flow. |
| Repetition | The recurring theme of 'finding a souvenir' provides structural repetition. |
| Rhythm | The rhythm is fast and upbeat, matching the energy of a road trip. |
| Punctuation | Exclamation points are used frequently to convey Bub's high-energy personality. |
| Questions | Bub often asks himself questions, which helps the reader track his problem-solving. |
| Compare-Contrast | Bub compares his life at home to the new, strange places he visits. |
| Objects | Souvenirs serve as physical objects that represent the emotional arc of the story. |
| Threes | The story follows a classic three-act structure: the plan, the journey/mishap, and the resolution. |
| Whitespace & Negative Space | Generous whitespace allows the illustrations to breathe and supports early readers. |
| Art & Graphics | Full-color illustrations are essential to the narrative, showing what Bub sees. |
| Interactives & Gamification | The book invites readers to 'collect' memories alongside Bub. |
Pace-Write It!
In 20 minutes, have students write a one-page 'Diary Entry' about a trip they have taken. Instruct them to include one 'problem' they faced and one 'creative solution' they used, mimicking Bub's diary style.
Classroom Activities
The Souvenir Story Map
Students will create a 'Road Trip Map' souvenir, similar to the one Bella and Bub make in the book, by drawing and labeling key locations from their own lives or a fictional journey, focusing on the memories associated with each place.
The Souvenir Story Map
Students will create a 'Road Trip Map' souvenir, similar to the one Bella and Bub make in the book, by drawing and labeling key locations from their own lives or a fictional journey, focusing on the memories associated with each place.
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