Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin

Rain Reign joins the new and growing genre of literature told from the point of view of a young person with autism.  Ann Martin’s newest work also joins the ranks of other realistic fiction books featuring young protagonists who, despite absent or sub-optimal parenting, manage to thrive due to the support and intervention of another relative, educator, or community member. Rain Reign is also a story of a girl and her dog.  Many middle grade readers will find this to be a winning combination, particularly given Martin’s expert writing and character development.

The reader quickly enters the mind and life of Rose, a young girl who is fascinated by homonyms and prime numbers. These fascinations make for some interesting wordplay. Identifying homonyms is a source of joy for Rose that the reader gets to experience vicariously. Conversely, when Rose becomes anxious and agitated, the mention of prime numbers grows in frequency. Rose also occasionally addresses the reader directly to charming effect, with instructions to skip to another chapter, lest we not share the protagonist’s enthusiasm for homonyms, for example.

In many ways the strongest part of this book is the beginning, which is the more character-driven portion of the novel. Things become less interesting when Rose’s dog, Rain, runs away during a storm, she and her uncle set about finding her, and complications ensue. Perhaps this is because this plot-driven portion of the book seems less original, and reminiscent of a section of Kate DiCamillo’s excellent Because of Winn-Dixie. It could also be said that Rose’s obsession with prime numbers is not a new literary idea, given that in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, also a book about a young person with high functioning autism, the topic of prime numbers is also explored, even providing the pattern with which to number the chapters. To be fair, the question of whether people with Asperger Syndrome (which is how Rose identifies herself) have an affinity for prime numbers is a topic of discussion readily found on the Internet, so perhaps both of these authors are simply displaying their research acumen in giving both of their characters this trait. Similarly, reading about the super-storm (named Susan in this work of fiction, but inspired by Hurricane Irene of 2011 according to an author’s note) through Rose’s eyes recalls the protagonist of Jonathan Safran Foer’s Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, a post 9-11 work of fiction that also features a young protagonist who is presumed to have autism. This reader was left wondering whether employing the astute musings of a child with autism as a lens through which to view catastrophic events (climate change, terrorism) might be a new literary device.

On a sunnier note, the character and voice of Rose are among many positive and creative aspects of this novel. The description of the interaction between Rose and her classroom aide, Mrs. Leibler, and Rose’s employment of “conversation starters,” in contrast with the more organic drawing together of Rose and her peers through her dog’s appearance at school and sparks of connection with her classmate Parvani all offer a window into Rose’s world. Having the opportunity to experience this world is a very satisfying experience for the reader. 2014

D. Rosen-Perez

Buddy by M.H. Herlong

This is the story of Tyrone Elijah Roberts, who everyone calls "Li'l T", and his dog Buddy. On the surface it seems as if this will be another endearing tale of a boy and his dog, which on its own would be a great story. But halfway through the book it becomes so much more than that.

The story begins when Li'l T's family hits a stray dog with their car. Li'l T has always wanted a dog but his family, which lives in a poor section of New Orleans, cannot afford one. Due to the accident, the dog must have one of its legs amputated and Li'l T knows immediately that this is the dog he's always wanted. His family is not so easily convinced, especially since the state of the dog's physical health is unclear and there is no money to feed and care for him.

Li'l T convinces his father that he will raise all the money to pay for Buddy's upkeep by mowing neighbor's lawns and the family agrees to take him home. Soon after, the foreshadowing of Hurricane Katrina begins. Even as news coverage of the impending storm starts, residents of New Orleans are either disbelieving of the danger or unable to find a place to go. Li'l T's family is one of the lucky ones. They leave to stay with an aunt in Mississippi but are forced to leave Buddy behind, locked in an upstairs bathroom, thinking that they will be returning in just a couple of days.

When Lil T's family realizes the scope of the storm and that their house has been destroyed they believe that Buddy has most likely perished. Li'l T is devastated, even when his parents surprise him with the gift of a brand new puppy for Christmas. When the reverend from their neighborhood sees a television special on pets rescued from Hurricane Katrina, he spots a three legged dog who looks just like Buddy, living in California. The entire church bands together to find Li'l T a way to get to California and bring his dog home. Things don't turn out exactly as Li'l T expects and he meets someone who might just need Buddy even more than he does.

This is an incredible, multi-faceted story with themes of family and community running through it while highlighting the struggle that so many families faced in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.  Li'l T grows as a person as he struggles between his desire for a pet to love and doing what he knows is right for his family and community. These are not easy choices for him and he is often conflicted as to whether to do the right thing or satisfy his personal needs. In the end, with the help of his family, his good character triumphs. This is a great book for animal lovers and those interested in family stories and historical novels. 2012.

P. Sassoon

White Fur Flying

This is a sweet, gentle tale about loss and healing. Zoe's dad is a vet and her mother fosters Great Pyrenees  dogs that have been rescued, until they can be placed in permanent homes.Great Pyrenees are large and can weigh over 100 pounds. Their weather resistant, double coat of white hair consists of a thick, straight outer layer over a dense, wooly undercoat and it requires a lot of brushing. This results in massive amounts of white fur flying around their house at all times. Their own Great Pyrenees, Kodi, befriends each rescue dog and then mourns the loss of his friend when the rescue dog leaves to go to a permanent home.

New neighbors, the Crofts, move in next door to the only house in sight of Zoe's house. Mrs. Croft is a nervous woman who seems to like order and be afraid of her own shadow. Her nephew, Philip, is staying with her and her husband while his own parents "solve a problem." Philip won't speak but is instantly drawn to the dogs, especially Kodi and the newest rescue dog, Jack.

In the big climax to the story, Philip disappears during a storm and it is Jack, the dog, who leads him to shelter. This all leads to a happy ending for both the dogs and Philip, who experiences a breakthrough. This well-written book is a great story for those new to chapter books, reluctant readers and animal lovers.   2013

Renee Rauch  

Wiener Wolf, by Jeff Crosby

Wiener Wolf

This is a beautiful, funny book for anyone who, in loving a dog, recognizes their pet's inner wolf.

The deadpan but hilarious text and engaging illustrations combine perfectly to tell a story of longing and of love. The satisfying ending balances the dog's need for adventure and security, and provides both--with a heavy dash of comfort.

Highly recommended. 2011.

A Ball For Daisy by Chris Raschka

A Ball for Daisy

This wordless book features Daisy, a sweetly illustrated dog who obviously loves her red ball – to the point that she sleeps with it. Then one day on an outing to the park, another dog accidently bites it too hard and deflates it. Her joy now gone, Daisy is also deflated as she sadly makes her way back home.

But it all turns out well in the end. On her next outing to the park, Daisy gets a wonderful surprise from the puppy that accidentally broke her beloved toy – the gift of a new ball (this time blue). Both dog’s exuberance is contagious as they rush off playing together.

Packed with heartfelt emotion in every brush stroke, this is the perfect book to spark the imaginations of both young and old. 2011

A. Basso

Say Hello to Zorro! by Carter Goodrich

Say Hello to Zorro!

Say Hello to Zorro! is a charming book about a dog, Mister Bud, who has the perfect life. He has his own house, his own bed, and his own schedule, and he likes it that way! All that is changed, however, when an interloper named Zorro shows up one day, right at Greet and Make a Fuss time. Mister Bud is not at all happy at having to make room for another dog in the house. Luckily, over time Mister Bud and Zorro disover that in fact, they have the same schedule, and that life is better when you have someone to share in the fun.

What really makes this book stand out is its delightful illustrations. Carter Goodrich must own a dog, because he has captured their expressions and their habits so perfectly, from the noses on the bed in the morning to the tussling on the couch in the evenings. And while you're enjoying the simple yet lovely story and the perfect illustrations, you're also getting a deeper lesson in the rewards of sharing and accommodating. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs or friends! 2011

M. Adams

Saving Audie: A Pit Bull Puppy Gets a Second Chance, by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent. Photos by William Muñoz

Saving Audie: A Pit Bull Puppy Gets a Second Chance

In 2007, over fifty terribly abused and neglected dogs were discovered in a kennel where NFL quarterback Michael Vick and his partners kept them for dogfighting. This is the story of the rescue and rehabilitation of most of them, and specifically of one young dog, Audie, a pit bull.

Audie's story of suffering, and of love and hope, is told through straightforward, sensitive language, and superb photos. He finds a smart, loving family who earns his trust. Saving Audie is a beautiful story of redemption and joy. 2011.

K. Muhm

Girl's Best Friend, by Leslie Margolis

Seventh-grader Maggie Brooklyn has a lot on her mind -- her ex-best-friend Ivy is now her enemy, she is hiding her dog-walking business from her parents, and, worst of all, dogs in her neighborhood are disappearing and she's worried that Milo, the boy she has a crush on, is responsible. Then there's the odd way her landlady is behaving... It's a good thing that Maggie has studied Nancy Drew and knows a thing or two about being a detective.

This book, the first in a series featuring Maggie, is an enjoyable, well-written mystery set in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Written from Maggie's viewpoint, it builds up the clues about the mysteries well, while at the same time developing Maggie's personality and introducing us to her friends and family. Fun, intelligent and entertaining, Girl's Best Friend will leave readers happily anticipating the release of the next book in the series. 2010.

M. Adams

I Don’t Like Gloria! By Kaye Umansky

Gloria is the cat who arrives at the family home and immediately grabs all the attention away from our main character, Calvin, the dog. Calvin’s fantastic facial expressions and the heartfelt, repeated refrain, “I don’t like Gloria!” pepper this humorous tale. The two remain at odds throughout the story, until the end, when a new family pet (a bunny, named Jeffery) is added into the mix. Calvin and Gloria now have something in common. “I still don’t like Gloria, and Gloria doesn’t like me,” says Calvin. “But at least we agree on one thing. We really don’t like Jeffrey!” A great choice to share with the preschool storytime crowd. 2007
A. Basso

Pete's Disappearing Act, by Jenny Tripp

When Pete, the performing poodle, and his chimpanzee partner, Rita, are swept up in a tornado, they are separated from their circus. They have quite a series of adventures as they try to get back to the circus including encounters with a flock of very intelligent birds, a performing duck named Quackers, some nasty kidnappers and would-be killers. These two really discover the truth behind the statement, "There's no place like home." 2009.
R. Rauch

Two Bobbies, by Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery

The touching picture book tells the true story of the friendship between a dog and a cat in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. They stick together and care for each other as they wander the streets, and when they are taken in by a shelter it becomes clear just how special the bond between them is. 2008.
M. Adams