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Recommend this book:
Starting Over
A Trina Ryan Novel (Volume 2)
Sheri S. Levy
2018 Bronze Medal
206 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
Starting Over: A Trina Ryan Novel, Volume 2 is a young adult coming of age novel written by Sheri S. Levy. While this is the second volume in the series, Levy gives sufficient background information within the story to allow it to be enjoyed as a standalone novel. Losing Sydney had been so hard for Trina, even as she recalled how well Sydney had interacted with Logan, a young autistic boy. The year she had spent training Sydney as a service dog had been an amazing experience, but returning him had taken so much resolve. As she was turning to leave the facility without him, her attention was caught by a pair of large brown eyes peering at her from the nursery. He was a baby, eight weeks old, and much younger than Sydney had been when she had begun working with him. He would be hers for eighteen months. Summer stretched out endlessly ahead of her and Colton, as she decided to name him, would be an essential part of it. They were instantly best friends, and his eagerness to learn everything she was teaching him served to reinforce her growing conviction that training dogs was what she was meant to do.
Sheri S. Levy’s young adult coming of age novel, Starting Over: A Trina Ryan Novel, Volume 2, gives the reader a privileged look at the world of guide dog training and those who put heart and soul into their work with those dogs. I loved watching as Trina teaches Colton how to become a working partner, while still allowing him to be the ebullient and eternally optimistic Labrador puppy that he was. I was also mesmerized by the parallel story about Trina’s work with horses and her interactions with the new girl, Morgan, and her horse, Knight. While this is listed as a book for young adults, I would unhesitatingly recommend it to preteens as well as any dog and horse-loving adults out there. Levy has a gift for communicating her own love of these marvelous beings to her readers, and she imparts some grand training and interaction methods to her audience while delivering a first-rate plot complete with finely drawn characters. Starting Over: A Trina Ryan Novel, Volume 2 is most highly recommended.
Starting Over: A Trina Ryan Novel, Volume 2 is a young adult coming of age novel written by Sheri S. Levy. While this is the second volume in the series, Levy gives sufficient background information within the story to allow it to be enjoyed as a standalone novel. Losing Sydney had been so hard for Trina, even as she recalled how well Sydney had interacted with Logan, a young autistic boy. The year she had spent training Sydney as a service dog had been an amazing experience, but returning him had taken so much resolve. As she was turning to leave the facility without him, her attention was caught by a pair of large brown eyes peering at her from the nursery. He was a baby, eight weeks old, and much younger than Sydney had been when she had begun working with him. He would be hers for eighteen months. Summer stretched out endlessly ahead of her and Colton, as she decided to name him, would be an essential part of it. They were instantly best friends, and his eagerness to learn everything she was teaching him served to reinforce her growing conviction that training dogs was what she was meant to do.
Sheri S. Levy’s young adult coming of age novel, Starting Over: A Trina Ryan Novel, Volume 2, gives the reader a privileged look at the world of guide dog training and those who put heart and soul into their work with those dogs. I loved watching as Trina teaches Colton how to become a working partner, while still allowing him to be the ebullient and eternally optimistic Labrador puppy that he was. I was also mesmerized by the parallel story about Trina’s work with horses and her interactions with the new girl, Morgan, and her horse, Knight. While this is listed as a book for young adults, I would unhesitatingly recommend it to preteens as well as any dog and horse-loving adults out there. Levy has a gift for communicating her own love of these marvelous beings to her readers, and she imparts some grand training and interaction methods to her audience while delivering a first-rate plot complete with finely drawn characters. Starting Over: A Trina Ryan Novel, Volume 2 is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Taking On Lucinda
Frank Martorana
2018 Silver Medal
294 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Lesley Jones for Readers' Favorite
In Taking On Lucinda by Frank Martorana, in the fall of 1982, Chief Merrill Stephenson discovers Aaron Whitmore has been shot. As he investigates the death of his mentor, a group of animal activists called FOAM descend on Jefferson to protest against the use of animals at a cosmetic research centre. When Merrill’s brother, town vet Kent’s animal patients begin to disappear, the focus turns to FOAM and their leader Aubrey. Then events take a sinister turn, including arson and an underworld of horrific animal cruelty. Kent and Aubrey’s relationship turns from enemies to partners as they track down the criminals behind the atrocities. Time is running out and Aubrey risks her life for the cause she believes in.
The author has created a superb suspense novel. Each character had an important role to play in the plot and were all believable and excellently created. The dialogue was authentic to the characters and it brought them to life. I especially loved the relationship between Kent and Aubrey, and how it developed through the story. May-May was a fantastic villain. There were many twists and turns throughout the plot, and the build up towards the ending was gripping and exciting. The plot moved forward constantly and the conflicts were perfectly spread out. There were scenes of violence towards animals, but they were totally needed for the plot. I would love to read more from this author; the way he can set a scene and build tension is superb. Highly recommended to anyone who loves a suspense thriller or whodunit novel.
In Taking On Lucinda by Frank Martorana, in the fall of 1982, Chief Merrill Stephenson discovers Aaron Whitmore has been shot. As he investigates the death of his mentor, a group of animal activists called FOAM descend on Jefferson to protest against the use of animals at a cosmetic research centre. When Merrill’s brother, town vet Kent’s animal patients begin to disappear, the focus turns to FOAM and their leader Aubrey. Then events take a sinister turn, including arson and an underworld of horrific animal cruelty. Kent and Aubrey’s relationship turns from enemies to partners as they track down the criminals behind the atrocities. Time is running out and Aubrey risks her life for the cause she believes in.
The author has created a superb suspense novel. Each character had an important role to play in the plot and were all believable and excellently created. The dialogue was authentic to the characters and it brought them to life. I especially loved the relationship between Kent and Aubrey, and how it developed through the story. May-May was a fantastic villain. There were many twists and turns throughout the plot, and the build up towards the ending was gripping and exciting. The plot moved forward constantly and the conflicts were perfectly spread out. There were scenes of violence towards animals, but they were totally needed for the plot. I would love to read more from this author; the way he can set a scene and build tension is superb. Highly recommended to anyone who loves a suspense thriller or whodunit novel.
Recommend this book:
Stray Magic
A Fairy Tale for Dog Lovers
Jackie Bouchard
2018 Gold Medal
295 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Deborah Lloyd for Readers' Favorite
Cara’s life seemed to be in a shambles. She and Todd had just divorced, and soon her only child, 18-year-old Winnie, would be leaving to start her freshman year at UCLA. Although it was only a few hours away from Cara’s San Diego home, she knew she would miss her sweet daughter. While Cara found some enjoyment in her job at the Posh Pooch, a local store with pet food and other items, it was definitely not the job of her dreams. Llewellyn, her beloved Cardigan corgi, provided her with companionship and joy, while her longtime friend, Lena, pushed her to move forward in her life. In this romantic comedy, Stray Magic: A Fairy Tale for Dog Lovers, author Jackie Bouchard sprinkles some magic dust into Cara’s stagnant existence. The appearance of Cara’s fairy godfather, Vincent C. Puddlejumper, is both startling and exciting. Cara might not have believed it really happened until Winnie met him too. He promised that she could find her true love – but she had to believe.
Stray Magic: A Fairy Tale for Dog Lovers is simply delicious and charming. While there are numerous references that perhaps only authentic dog lovers will appreciate, the reader does not have to be a dog lover to enjoy this magical tale. The author is a highly skilled writer and the plot moves swiftly along. Each character is well described, and it is easy to understand the unique personality of each one. Jackie Bouchard has presented a beautiful and fascinating novel in Stray Magic, filled with realistic people, four-legged, furry friends, and otherworldly magical guests who have their own personal issues. What a fun and enchanting read!
Cara’s life seemed to be in a shambles. She and Todd had just divorced, and soon her only child, 18-year-old Winnie, would be leaving to start her freshman year at UCLA. Although it was only a few hours away from Cara’s San Diego home, she knew she would miss her sweet daughter. While Cara found some enjoyment in her job at the Posh Pooch, a local store with pet food and other items, it was definitely not the job of her dreams. Llewellyn, her beloved Cardigan corgi, provided her with companionship and joy, while her longtime friend, Lena, pushed her to move forward in her life. In this romantic comedy, Stray Magic: A Fairy Tale for Dog Lovers, author Jackie Bouchard sprinkles some magic dust into Cara’s stagnant existence. The appearance of Cara’s fairy godfather, Vincent C. Puddlejumper, is both startling and exciting. Cara might not have believed it really happened until Winnie met him too. He promised that she could find her true love – but she had to believe.
Stray Magic: A Fairy Tale for Dog Lovers is simply delicious and charming. While there are numerous references that perhaps only authentic dog lovers will appreciate, the reader does not have to be a dog lover to enjoy this magical tale. The author is a highly skilled writer and the plot moves swiftly along. Each character is well described, and it is easy to understand the unique personality of each one. Jackie Bouchard has presented a beautiful and fascinating novel in Stray Magic, filled with realistic people, four-legged, furry friends, and otherworldly magical guests who have their own personal issues. What a fun and enchanting read!
Recommend this book:
A Dog Named Cat
Anne Toole
2017 Honorable Mention
26 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
A Dog Named Cat by Anne Toole is a heart-warming tale for young readers, a story that is both entertaining and informative, written in beautiful verse and brilliantly illustrated. What's in a name? What happens when one identifies with a different species? Here is a story that goes far beyond the importance of having a name. In the heart of the story is the question of identity: Is one defined by what others call one or can one make the choice to define one's identity? In this story, the author shows readers what a little dog named Cat did to change its name. No, it didn't like being called Cat.
A Dog Named Cat is a perfect book to introduce young readers to poetry. The diction is beautiful and easily accessible. Readers will enjoy the rhythm and the perfect rhyming. The introduction offers a beautiful picture of a small family at an animal shelter.
Mom, dad, baby, and a little boy named Tad went to an
Animal shelter one day.
To little Tad, dad did say,
'Look at all those dogs running about,
Now you need to pick one out.'
After looking all around
At all the dogs playing on the ground,
Tad said, 'I like this one the best,'
As he held a little dog next to his chest.
Notice the storytelling skills, the ability to make a young reader imagine a family. Aside from the lovely story, the images are very telling and colorful. I read this story to my young daughter, who fell in love with the little dog. "It hurts to be called what you're not," she said at the end, and I answered, "But like the dog, you can choose who you are." Anne Toole has written a beautiful story with a powerful lesson on self-image. A really enjoyable read!
A Dog Named Cat by Anne Toole is a heart-warming tale for young readers, a story that is both entertaining and informative, written in beautiful verse and brilliantly illustrated. What's in a name? What happens when one identifies with a different species? Here is a story that goes far beyond the importance of having a name. In the heart of the story is the question of identity: Is one defined by what others call one or can one make the choice to define one's identity? In this story, the author shows readers what a little dog named Cat did to change its name. No, it didn't like being called Cat.
A Dog Named Cat is a perfect book to introduce young readers to poetry. The diction is beautiful and easily accessible. Readers will enjoy the rhythm and the perfect rhyming. The introduction offers a beautiful picture of a small family at an animal shelter.
Mom, dad, baby, and a little boy named Tad went to an
Animal shelter one day.
To little Tad, dad did say,
'Look at all those dogs running about,
Now you need to pick one out.'
After looking all around
At all the dogs playing on the ground,
Tad said, 'I like this one the best,'
As he held a little dog next to his chest.
Notice the storytelling skills, the ability to make a young reader imagine a family. Aside from the lovely story, the images are very telling and colorful. I read this story to my young daughter, who fell in love with the little dog. "It hurts to be called what you're not," she said at the end, and I answered, "But like the dog, you can choose who you are." Anne Toole has written a beautiful story with a powerful lesson on self-image. A really enjoyable read!
Recommend this book:
![](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=/book-award/the-tides-of-avarice&media=https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51OKoUtAWpL._SL442_.jpg._AA200_.jpg&description="Tides of Avarice" by John Dahlgren is a quirky, swashbuckling, original combination of pirates, treasure maps and lemmings. Sylvester Lemmington is our hero: a timid, serious lemming who works as a translator for the head archivist at the library. The love interest is Viola, a pretty, feisty lemmingess who merrily leads Sylvester into trouble, alo...){kind=link}
The Tides of Avarice
A Sagaria Legend
John Dahlgren
2017 Silver Medal
464 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Stephanie Dagg for Readers' Favorite
"Tides of Avarice" by John Dahlgren is a quirky, swashbuckling, original combination of pirates, treasure maps and lemmings. Sylvester Lemmington is our hero: a timid, serious lemming who works as a translator for the head archivist at the library. The love interest is Viola, a pretty, feisty lemmingess who merrily leads Sylvester into trouble, along with his treasure map. Add a missing father, Jasper, who took part in the last great lemming Exodus, from which mysteriously none returned many years ago, a whole host more slightly off-the-wall characters, plus of course an original plot, and you have a very entertaining, enjoyable book in your hands. There is plenty of skulduggery going on, and not just from the pirates. The lemmings and other animals share all our human characteristics, including the less wholesome ones so that there is a layer of social commentary buried in the humour.
I read this with my ten year old - neither of us quite in the intended YA audience - but it is hard to say which of us enjoyed it more. I could pick up some of the humorous subtleties of the writing that he missed but he could clearly imagine every single scene going on in his own head. We were both hooked. Dahlgren, a Scandinavian by birth, has an incredible mastery of language and is a very, very clever, creative writer. The story twists and turns, with enough of the extreme and ridiculous to keep youngsters engrossed and adults chuckling. It is refreshing and ingenious – it’s brilliant!
"Tides of Avarice" by John Dahlgren is a quirky, swashbuckling, original combination of pirates, treasure maps and lemmings. Sylvester Lemmington is our hero: a timid, serious lemming who works as a translator for the head archivist at the library. The love interest is Viola, a pretty, feisty lemmingess who merrily leads Sylvester into trouble, along with his treasure map. Add a missing father, Jasper, who took part in the last great lemming Exodus, from which mysteriously none returned many years ago, a whole host more slightly off-the-wall characters, plus of course an original plot, and you have a very entertaining, enjoyable book in your hands. There is plenty of skulduggery going on, and not just from the pirates. The lemmings and other animals share all our human characteristics, including the less wholesome ones so that there is a layer of social commentary buried in the humour.
I read this with my ten year old - neither of us quite in the intended YA audience - but it is hard to say which of us enjoyed it more. I could pick up some of the humorous subtleties of the writing that he missed but he could clearly imagine every single scene going on in his own head. We were both hooked. Dahlgren, a Scandinavian by birth, has an incredible mastery of language and is a very, very clever, creative writer. The story twists and turns, with enough of the extreme and ridiculous to keep youngsters engrossed and adults chuckling. It is refreshing and ingenious – it’s brilliant!
Recommend this book:
Seven Days to Goodbye
A Trina Ryan Novel
Sheri S. Levy
2017 Gold Medal
212 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Chris Fischer for Readers' Favorite
In a story that is in turns heartbreaking and heartwarming, Seven Days to Goodbye, the first book in a planned series by debut author Sheri S. Levy, readers will find themselves completely immersed in a book that is hard to put down. Follow protagonist Trina, a wonderful girl, who has gone through the difficult experience of losing her beloved dog. To combat that feeling, she decides to raise service dogs; she'll never have to lose a dog to death again, and she'll get to have new puppies all the time. But when the last week comes before she has to release her first service dog, Sydney, she realizes that her plan is not working the way she envisioned. Trina's best friend, Sarah, has also been going through major changes, and that doesn't make the situation any easier. Will Trina's heart be broken again? You'll need to read the book to find out.
I very much enjoyed Seven Days to Goodbye. Author Sheri S. Levy has done a fantastic job in writing a book with a great deal of appeal, especially for a person who loves dogs and has had a profound relationship with an animal. The author's ability to create characters that her readers will connect with, relate to, and truly care about is exemplary, and certainly a hallmark of a very skilled author. I highly recommend Seven Days to Goodbye to any young adult reader who loves an emotional story or who loves dogs and animals. I am also looking forward to reading more from the very promising author, Sheri S. Levy. I certainly hope that she's hard at work on the second installment of this series as I write!
In a story that is in turns heartbreaking and heartwarming, Seven Days to Goodbye, the first book in a planned series by debut author Sheri S. Levy, readers will find themselves completely immersed in a book that is hard to put down. Follow protagonist Trina, a wonderful girl, who has gone through the difficult experience of losing her beloved dog. To combat that feeling, she decides to raise service dogs; she'll never have to lose a dog to death again, and she'll get to have new puppies all the time. But when the last week comes before she has to release her first service dog, Sydney, she realizes that her plan is not working the way she envisioned. Trina's best friend, Sarah, has also been going through major changes, and that doesn't make the situation any easier. Will Trina's heart be broken again? You'll need to read the book to find out.
I very much enjoyed Seven Days to Goodbye. Author Sheri S. Levy has done a fantastic job in writing a book with a great deal of appeal, especially for a person who loves dogs and has had a profound relationship with an animal. The author's ability to create characters that her readers will connect with, relate to, and truly care about is exemplary, and certainly a hallmark of a very skilled author. I highly recommend Seven Days to Goodbye to any young adult reader who loves an emotional story or who loves dogs and animals. I am also looking forward to reading more from the very promising author, Sheri S. Levy. I certainly hope that she's hard at work on the second installment of this series as I write!
Recommend this book:
Taking the Lead
Adventures of a Hollywood Dog Walker, L.A. Lights Book 1
Di Jones
2016 Finalist
376 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
Taking The Lead: Adventures of a Hollywood Dog Walker by Di Jones is the novel of every dog lovers dream, especially people like me who love dogs and just can’t have them. This novel is an absolute gem. What should I talk about first? The dogs, or the characters, or the chapter names? Oh, the chapter names. Di Jones must be the master of pun and irony. I am officially in love with the way she writes and the only other person I have said this about is J.K Rowling!
The story is about Tessa, a girl with dreams of making it big in Hollywood. But things are not that easy. Times get tough and she is desperate to make ends meet. Her life takes a turn for the better when she gets a job as a dog walker. She finally has a chance to make something out of her life and dreams, and if she plays her cards right, she might even get a hunky man out of it.
Let me start with the dogs; they are full of character. Twinkletoes is awesome. That Great Dane is a dream pet. And all the other dogs mixed with Twinkletoes gives you the right kind of humor and mischief that just makes your heart melt and have you grinning like a fool. I loved, loved, and loved reading this novel and I cannot wait for more from Tessa and her dream of making it big in the Hollywood. I hope I don’t have to wait long for a sequel.
Taking The Lead: Adventures of a Hollywood Dog Walker by Di Jones is the novel of every dog lovers dream, especially people like me who love dogs and just can’t have them. This novel is an absolute gem. What should I talk about first? The dogs, or the characters, or the chapter names? Oh, the chapter names. Di Jones must be the master of pun and irony. I am officially in love with the way she writes and the only other person I have said this about is J.K Rowling!
The story is about Tessa, a girl with dreams of making it big in Hollywood. But things are not that easy. Times get tough and she is desperate to make ends meet. Her life takes a turn for the better when she gets a job as a dog walker. She finally has a chance to make something out of her life and dreams, and if she plays her cards right, she might even get a hunky man out of it.
Let me start with the dogs; they are full of character. Twinkletoes is awesome. That Great Dane is a dream pet. And all the other dogs mixed with Twinkletoes gives you the right kind of humor and mischief that just makes your heart melt and have you grinning like a fool. I loved, loved, and loved reading this novel and I cannot wait for more from Tessa and her dream of making it big in the Hollywood. I hope I don’t have to wait long for a sequel.
Recommend this book:
The Eleventh Ring
Bartholomew the Adventurer Trilogy, Book 1
Tom Hoffman
2016 Honorable Mention
322 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
The Eleventh Ring: Bartholomew the Adventurer, Book One is an epic fantasy written by Tom Hoffman. Bartholomew Rabbit had a strange dream about a mysterious figure wearing a green cloak. The stranger's paw emitted a blue glow that wrapped around the sleeping rabbit, and he said that Bartholomew spoke with her in his dreams, though he retained no memories of that. And then the figure released a pink cloud that moved towards him and said, "You must find it. It is yours and you must find it." When Bartholomew woke up, he and his servant Parfello searched high and low for that something from his dream. Bartholomew had no idea what he was searching for; there was only that compulsion to search for it. Parfello suggested that Bartholomew travel to the Cavern of Silence, a magical place where answers could be found -- if the questioner was willing for wait for a response. Bartholomew was intrigued by the concept of adventuring to the Cavern and, armed with a sturdy canvas pack, set off on his quest.
Tom Hoffman's epic fantasy, The Eleventh Ring: Bartholomew the Adventurer, Book One, features a most remarkable and introspective rabbit whose journey to the Cavern of Silence is just the beginning of a grand and sometimes terrifying adventure. Hoffman's tale is compelling and thoughtfully plotted. His characters are animals, which I had thought might be a distraction, but they quickly became much more than furry woodland creatures. Along the way, Bartholomew encounters Oliver T. Rabbit, a scientist and inventor, whose gifts with machinery infuse a marvelous steampunk atmosphere to the tale. I had a grand time reading The Eleventh Ring. The visionary questing Bartholomew undertakes brought to mind the classic fantasy tales of George MacDonald, Hope Mirrlees and Lord Dunsany, with more than just a touch of Jules Verne added in. The Eleventh Ring: Bartholomew the Adventurer, Book One is most highly recommended.
The Eleventh Ring: Bartholomew the Adventurer, Book One is an epic fantasy written by Tom Hoffman. Bartholomew Rabbit had a strange dream about a mysterious figure wearing a green cloak. The stranger's paw emitted a blue glow that wrapped around the sleeping rabbit, and he said that Bartholomew spoke with her in his dreams, though he retained no memories of that. And then the figure released a pink cloud that moved towards him and said, "You must find it. It is yours and you must find it." When Bartholomew woke up, he and his servant Parfello searched high and low for that something from his dream. Bartholomew had no idea what he was searching for; there was only that compulsion to search for it. Parfello suggested that Bartholomew travel to the Cavern of Silence, a magical place where answers could be found -- if the questioner was willing for wait for a response. Bartholomew was intrigued by the concept of adventuring to the Cavern and, armed with a sturdy canvas pack, set off on his quest.
Tom Hoffman's epic fantasy, The Eleventh Ring: Bartholomew the Adventurer, Book One, features a most remarkable and introspective rabbit whose journey to the Cavern of Silence is just the beginning of a grand and sometimes terrifying adventure. Hoffman's tale is compelling and thoughtfully plotted. His characters are animals, which I had thought might be a distraction, but they quickly became much more than furry woodland creatures. Along the way, Bartholomew encounters Oliver T. Rabbit, a scientist and inventor, whose gifts with machinery infuse a marvelous steampunk atmosphere to the tale. I had a grand time reading The Eleventh Ring. The visionary questing Bartholomew undertakes brought to mind the classic fantasy tales of George MacDonald, Hope Mirrlees and Lord Dunsany, with more than just a touch of Jules Verne added in. The Eleventh Ring: Bartholomew the Adventurer, Book One is most highly recommended.
Recommend this book:
Rooster
A Field Trial Fable
Edward Pontacoloni
2016 Bronze Medal
148 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
A story about sporting dogs and bird-dogs in field trials may sound like a tale for kids, but when it is told by a master storyteller like Edward Pontacoloni, it becomes more than interesting. Rooster: A Field Trial Fable by Edward Pontacoloni features a wide collection of compelling characters, all coming together for the national championships. On one hand is the group of Tom, Mike, and Rooster, and on the other is the dare-devil Red Eyes, a dog that can play pretty rough and that won’t let anyone get ahead of him. Red Eyes has been trained by rough and unforgiving men like Tall Charlie and Buck Arness, and it can be said “like owner like dog” of this team. With this cast of characters a story unfolds that will become a roller coaster ride of excitement and entertainment for the reader.
Pontacoloni knows how to seduce readers and he does so without warning. The writing is polished and it reads sweetly. The descriptions are terrific, vivid, and captivating. For instance: “Of the pups, the black-eared one fell to Tom to handle, likely because the others felt that the pup held no promise; it was unruly, its tail curved and angled at eleven o’clock, but it was a strong and vigorous dog, full with the desire of a desperately hungry forager. “ (p. 6). It will be hard to read Rooster without falling in love with the lyrical style. The author writes beautifully and with confidence. Some of the descriptions are terrific, but even when detailed, it never feels boring. The author's voice comes across in a unique, clear and powerful way.
It takes an intelligent mind to conceive a gripping tale, but it takes genius to make it interesting, and Pontacoloni has got both. His work is hilarious, engaging, and absolutely entertaining, plus the author has got this unique way of saying things that will leave a smile on the faces of readers as they turn the pages. The story is well thought-out and, at every turn, the reader looks forward in anticipation to what happens next. Rooster offers many inspiring and invaluable lessons on friendship and courage.
A story about sporting dogs and bird-dogs in field trials may sound like a tale for kids, but when it is told by a master storyteller like Edward Pontacoloni, it becomes more than interesting. Rooster: A Field Trial Fable by Edward Pontacoloni features a wide collection of compelling characters, all coming together for the national championships. On one hand is the group of Tom, Mike, and Rooster, and on the other is the dare-devil Red Eyes, a dog that can play pretty rough and that won’t let anyone get ahead of him. Red Eyes has been trained by rough and unforgiving men like Tall Charlie and Buck Arness, and it can be said “like owner like dog” of this team. With this cast of characters a story unfolds that will become a roller coaster ride of excitement and entertainment for the reader.
Pontacoloni knows how to seduce readers and he does so without warning. The writing is polished and it reads sweetly. The descriptions are terrific, vivid, and captivating. For instance: “Of the pups, the black-eared one fell to Tom to handle, likely because the others felt that the pup held no promise; it was unruly, its tail curved and angled at eleven o’clock, but it was a strong and vigorous dog, full with the desire of a desperately hungry forager. “ (p. 6). It will be hard to read Rooster without falling in love with the lyrical style. The author writes beautifully and with confidence. Some of the descriptions are terrific, but even when detailed, it never feels boring. The author's voice comes across in a unique, clear and powerful way.
It takes an intelligent mind to conceive a gripping tale, but it takes genius to make it interesting, and Pontacoloni has got both. His work is hilarious, engaging, and absolutely entertaining, plus the author has got this unique way of saying things that will leave a smile on the faces of readers as they turn the pages. The story is well thought-out and, at every turn, the reader looks forward in anticipation to what happens next. Rooster offers many inspiring and invaluable lessons on friendship and courage.
Recommend this book:
The Story of Jack
The Pit Bull Who Became a Hero
Pam Daoust
2016 Silver Medal
138 Pages
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Fiction - Animals
Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite
The Story of Jack: The Pit Bull Who Became a Hero is a contemporary fiction novel written by Pam Daoust. Jack was getting panicky the last few days he had been in the Animal Shelter. He was there with his mother after they had been found freezing to death out in the street by a little boy and his mother. They couldn't keep the two dogs, but rather than let them die in the cold, brought them to the Shelter. Jack was tiny then and still nursing, so the two were able to stay together until Jack was weaned. His mother had been abused by people, and she was terrified of even the nice ones and deemed unadoptable, so she took the trip Down the Hall that all the animals there dreaded. No one ever came back from Down the Hall, and the last view Jack had of his mom was her trying to get back to him. His own time at the Shelter was quickly running out. No matter how well he behaved or tried to interact with the people who came to find a pet, no one wanted him because they called him a pit bull and a dangerous breed -- that is, until Ally came to the shelter and took him home with her.
Pam Daoust's contemporary fiction novel, The Story of Jack: The Pit Bull Who Became a Hero, is a heartwarming and inspirational tale that casts light on the plight of those dogs whose square or blocky faces cause them to be labelled as pit bulls or dangerous dogs. Daoust's Jack is a compelling narrator who shows the reader what it feels like from his point of view. Jack’s life is dedicated to the people he loves, and he finds the concept that he is somehow a bad dog because of his lineage to be quite incomprehensible. The author's story reminded me of recent news headlines where hero dogs have ended up in foster homes or worse due to city ordinances blocking their breeds. I was very impressed with The Story of Jack. It's a beautifully written story that addresses a very important social issue that everyone, whether or not they have an animal companion of their own, needs to be more informed about, and it does so beautifully. The Story of Jack: The Pit Bull Who Became a Hero is highly recommended.
The Story of Jack: The Pit Bull Who Became a Hero is a contemporary fiction novel written by Pam Daoust. Jack was getting panicky the last few days he had been in the Animal Shelter. He was there with his mother after they had been found freezing to death out in the street by a little boy and his mother. They couldn't keep the two dogs, but rather than let them die in the cold, brought them to the Shelter. Jack was tiny then and still nursing, so the two were able to stay together until Jack was weaned. His mother had been abused by people, and she was terrified of even the nice ones and deemed unadoptable, so she took the trip Down the Hall that all the animals there dreaded. No one ever came back from Down the Hall, and the last view Jack had of his mom was her trying to get back to him. His own time at the Shelter was quickly running out. No matter how well he behaved or tried to interact with the people who came to find a pet, no one wanted him because they called him a pit bull and a dangerous breed -- that is, until Ally came to the shelter and took him home with her.
Pam Daoust's contemporary fiction novel, The Story of Jack: The Pit Bull Who Became a Hero, is a heartwarming and inspirational tale that casts light on the plight of those dogs whose square or blocky faces cause them to be labelled as pit bulls or dangerous dogs. Daoust's Jack is a compelling narrator who shows the reader what it feels like from his point of view. Jack’s life is dedicated to the people he loves, and he finds the concept that he is somehow a bad dog because of his lineage to be quite incomprehensible. The author's story reminded me of recent news headlines where hero dogs have ended up in foster homes or worse due to city ordinances blocking their breeds. I was very impressed with The Story of Jack. It's a beautifully written story that addresses a very important social issue that everyone, whether or not they have an animal companion of their own, needs to be more informed about, and it does so beautifully. The Story of Jack: The Pit Bull Who Became a Hero is highly recommended.
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