Pug's Sleepover

by Kyla May

Big Idea

True friendship and fun are not defined by perfect plans, but by how we adapt to surprises and enjoy time spent together.

Discussion Questions

1.Why was Bub so worried when he accidentally wrecked the pirate decorations?
2.How did the change in plans from an indoor party to an outdoor tent sleepover affect the mood of the characters?
3.What does it mean for a party to be 'epic' in Bub's eyes versus Bella's eyes?
4.How does Bub show his loyalty to Bella throughout the story?
5.If you were planning a sleepover, what is one 'surprise' that might make it better or worse?

Classroom Activity

The Epic Sleepover Blueprint

Students will design their own 'epic' sleepover theme and create a contingency plan for when things go wrong, just like Bub and Bella.

Lesson Plan

⏱ 45 minutes📦 Paper, colored pencils, markers, and a template for a diary entry.

Learning Goals

Identify the sequence of events in a narrative.
Analyze how characters respond to unexpected changes in a plot.
Practice creative planning and problem-solving skills.
Understand the structure of a diary-style narrative.

Activity Steps

1.Brainstorm a unique theme for a dream sleepover (e.g., space, jungle, underwater).
2.Draw a 'Plan A' scene showing the decorations and activities for the theme.
3.Identify one 'mishap' that could happen to the plan, similar to Bub wrecking the decorations.
4.Create a 'Plan B' solution that keeps the fun alive despite the mishap.
5.Write a short diary entry from the perspective of a pet or friend describing the night.

Standards Connections

ELA: RL.2.3 (Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges)
ELA: W.2.3 (Write narratives in which they recount a well-elaborated event)
SEL: Relationship Skills (Demonstrating cooperation and teamwork)

Pace-Write-Read Study with Pace-Write It!

Pug's Sleepover is an excellent mentor text for teaching the craft of 'fast-paced' writing for early readers. Kyla May utilizes the diary format to create an immediate, intimate connection between the reader and the protagonist, Bub. By using short, punchy sentences and frequent page turns, the book maintains high energy, ensuring that the reader feels the urgency of Bub's mission to save the sleepover. Beyond the pacing, the book teaches students how to balance internal monologue with external action. Because it is written as a diary, the narrative voice is consistently personal and humorous. Students can study how May uses the 'problem-solution' structure to keep the plot moving forward, demonstrating that a story doesn't need complex subplots to be engaging—it just needs a clear goal and a series of relatable obstacles.

Element	How to notice or teach it in the novel
Pace	The book uses short, active sentences to keep the story moving quickly for early readers.
Plot	The plot follows a clear arc: planning, a major mishap, and a creative resolution.
Prosody	Encourage students to read with excitement during the 'epic' planning scenes and concern during the 'peril' scenes.
Word Pause	Use the diary entries to teach students where to pause for emphasis on Bub's feelings.
Concept	The core concept is the 'diary' format, which allows for a unique, first-person perspective.
Voice & World View	The voice is distinctly 'pug-like,' focusing on food, loyalty, and human behavior.
Setting & Place	The setting shifts from the house to the backyard, showing how environment changes the mood.
Point of View	The story is told from Bub's perspective, limiting the reader to what a dog sees and understands.
Original Characters	Bub is a relatable, flawed hero who tries his best but often makes mistakes.
Dialogue	Dialogue is sparse and natural, reflecting how a dog might interpret human speech.
Details	Focus on the specific pirate-themed details like the homemade flag.
Descriptions	May uses simple, vivid descriptions to make the pirate theme come alive.
Strong First Lines	The book starts with the excitement of the upcoming party, immediately hooking the reader.
Immediacy & Engagement	The diary format makes the reader feel like they are experiencing the night alongside Bub.
Story Scenes & Summaries & Unique Structures	The structure is episodic, perfect for early chapter book readers.
Flashback & Flash Forward & Cliffhangers	The 'peril' moments act as mini-cliffhangers that keep the reader turning the page.
Tension & Suspense & Surprise	The tension builds when the decorations are ruined and the plan changes.
Page Turns and Chapter Breaks	Page turns are used to reveal the consequences of Bub's actions.
Performance	The book is great for reading aloud with exaggerated 'pug' emotions.
Personality	Bub's personality is defined by his desire to be a 'good boy' and his love for Bella.
Humor	The humor comes from the gap between what Bub thinks is happening and what is actually happening.
Pause	Use the illustrations to provide a visual pause in the text.
Poetry and Poetic Devices	The rhythm of the text is consistent and musical, aiding fluency.
Repetition	The word 'epic' is repeated to emphasize the importance of the party.
Rhythm	The rhythm is fast and bouncy, matching a pug's energy.
Punctuation	Exclamation points are used frequently to show Bub's high energy.
Questions	Bub often asks himself questions, showing his internal processing.
Compare-Contrast	Compare the indoor party plan with the outdoor tent reality.
Objects	The pirate flag is a central object that symbolizes the friendship.
Threes	The story often follows a three-part structure: plan, disaster, fix.
Whitespace & Negative Space	The layout uses plenty of whitespace to make the text less intimidating.
Art & Graphics	The illustrations are essential to the story, showing what Bub is doing.
Interactives & Gamification	The book encourages readers to 'grow' their reading skills through its accessible format.

Pace-Write It!

In 20 minutes, have students write a 3-sentence diary entry about a time they had to change their plans. Challenge them to use one 'strong' word to describe their feeling and one 'action' word to describe how they fixed the problem.