Boy + Dog = Good Read

Boy + dog is a solid formula that’s been in play in the literary world for decades. How many of you read Old Yeller in school? Flipped through Tin Tin comics growing up? Watched endless TV episodes of Lassie?

Recent Boy + Dog Books

Several boy + dog books published recently offer solid additions to this familiar subgenre. And, I daresay, these books reviewed below all offer unique additions to the field: each of these books features a dog and a boy in need of rescue. I have a soft spot for rescue dogs (and big dogs!) because our two lovable Lab/Rottweiler mixes were large rescue dogs. We had lots of black fur flying…. Our current dogs are also rescues, one a big, codependent Shepherd mix and the other a mid-size terrier mix. It’s true that only the Lord can bring true comfort, but it’s also true that sometimes His creatures provide better earthly comfort in times of trial than our fellow humans. Dogs are a particularly social part of His created animal kingdom.

Note: titles are linked to amazon (affiliate links; read more here).

White Fur Flying by Patricia MacLachlan. Margaret K. McElderry, 2013. 128 pages.

MacLachlan is such a great early chapter book writer—her books have just the right amount of depth in few words to make them winners with the middle elementary/newly independent reading crowd. In this book, a family rescues great Pyrenees dogs—hence the “white fur flying” in the title! As you can imagine, this family is a loving, good-natured sort since they’re constantly bringing large dogs into their home and loving on them. One day, a new family moves into the farmhouse up the road, a new family that is very different from Zoe’s great Pyrenees-loving family. The new family needs a bit of rescuing, too, as it turns out, and this time, the dogs go to the rescue as only dogs can. If you’re a dog-loving family, this is a poignant story to enjoy together. It will bring up some points of discussion regarding how some families operate and cope with emotional tension in their lives.  Recommended for ages 7-11. Worldview rating: 4 (out of 5); Literary rating: 4.5

One Dog and His Boy by Eva Ibbotson. Scholastic, 2012 (first published 2011). 288 pages.

Hal has everything he wants, everything that is, except a dog. Unlike Zoe’s family in White Fur Flying, Hal’s family does not want fur flying, or any fur at all, for that matter. As the only child of very busy and uptight parents, Hal is a bit lonely. Hence, his burning desire to have a dog. It just so happens that in his town, there’s a “rent-a-pet” agency, and Hal’s dad decides to rent Hal a dog for his birthday weekend. The only problem? He neglects to tell Hal that the dog is merely a rental. Oh, the heartbreak when Fleck is returned abruptly to the rental agency on Monday morning. Both boy and dog are miserable. But a brave young girl hatches a rescue plan, a rescue plan that involves both Hal and the dog Fleck along with several other dogs from the same shelter. A plan that involves boy, girl, and dogs traveling across country to Hal’s grandparents—who do not know they are coming. A desperate plan that leads the motley crew into numerous adventures and which ends up leading all parties to new homes just right for each of them. Everything works out rather tidily in this feel good middle grades gem, but it’s a wonderful read and a great adventure story. Recommended for ages 8-12. Worldview rating: 4 (out of 5); Literary rating: 4.

Rotten by Michael Northrop. Scholastic, 2013. 256 pages.

Definitely an edgier read than the previous two books, Rotten plunges the reader into the struggles of both a boy (Johnny—”JD”) and a dog (Rotten—”JR”) as they learn to acclimate back into society. Rotten was rescued by Johnny’s mom while he (Johnny) was mysteriously absent during the summer (he was at a juvenile detention center for a minor crime). Neither boy nor dog are enthused by the other’s presence in the house, but both begin to gradually soften towards each other. Johnny tries to act tough and unfazed by his summer when he’s around his friends, but he gradually begins to open up about what really happened. His friends go through the usual trials at being friends with each other (rivalry, who’s on who’s side, acting tough), but it goes too far at one point. Suddenly, the dog that Johnny’s grown quite fond of is in trouble: Rotten’s life is on the line. Will the dog be rescued again? Will Johnny grow up some and learn to be a better friend? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

This book is a solid read, and Northrop’s descriptions of the dog, in particular, completely won me over. Our male Lab/Rott mix looked an awful lot like that dog on the cover, so I confess to some bias here. On the other hand, I can also attest to the tension Northrop presents over people’s feelings towards Rottweilers—dogs that can be amazing pets but which can turn vicious in the wrong hands. They are very protective of their territory. Northrop’s depiction of Johnny’s internal tension is also done well. This book will resonate with many teens who are on the edge of the group, a touch more edgy than their youth group friends and goody goody school friends, or just testing the waters a little. Consequences happen, friendships take work, and parents sometimes do know what’s best.

Note that with this title, there is some crude joking amongst the teen friends and some language use. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Worldview rating: 3.5 (out of 5); Literary rating: 4.

Related Reading at Redeemed Reader:

• A Review: A Dog’s Way Home
• Round-Up: More dog books about the bond between dog and owner for this age group!