How to Stay Invisible by Maggie Rudd

How to Stay Invisible   by Maggie Rudd  230 Pages

Twelve-year-old Raymond Hurley has never had a place to call home. His freewheeling parents move their family from town to town, and they're living in a trailer in a brand-new state when one day they just up and abandon him. All alone with nothing but a duffel bag full of clothes and Rosie, his reliable pup, Raymond is forced to live in the woods behind his middle school. With a fishing pole in hand and a survival guide checked out from the library, Raymond scrapes by and doesn't tell anyone his secret. This isn't the first time he's had only himself to rely on. However, when winter days get colder and finding food becomes nearly impossible, Raymond makes new friends, including a curious coyote, in unexpected places. Soon he learns that his fate will depend on not just his wilderness skills, but also on the people and animals he chooses to trust. In her heartfelt debut novel, Maggie C. Rudd takes readers on a journey of survival that speaks to friendship, adventure, and the everyday wonders of nature. In middle school, blending in is easy, but sometimes the braver thing is being seen.

I read this because it is a Mark Twain nominee.  It was very sad but a reality for some children.  I am not sure children will understand the depth of the tragedy, and would think it is an adventure story.  I did not like the ending.  They introduced all of these different characters and then he didn't even get to go live with any of them...sorry spoiler!  It was a good book, but I definitely would want a different ending!

Standing Dead by Margaret Mizushima

 

Standing Dead by Margaret Mizushima-279 pages

Timber Creek K-9 Mystery Series #8

Deputy Mattie Cobb and her sister, Julia, travel to Mexico to visit their mother, but when they arrive, they discover that she and her husband have vanished without a trace. Back in Timber Creek, Mattie finds a chilling note on her front door telling her to look for “him” among the standing dead up in the high country.

The sheriff’s department springs into action and sends a team to the mountains, where Mattie’s K-9 partner, Robo, makes a grisly discovery—a body tied to a dead pine tree. Mattie is shocked when she realizes she knows the dead man. And then another note arrives, warning that Mattie’s mother is in desperate straits. In a last-ditch gambit, Mattie must go deep undercover into a killer’s lair to save her mother—or die trying.

I enjoy following Mattie in this series.  She has had a rough life and works very hard to overcome obstacles.  A lady and her dog...doesn't get much better than that!

How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor

How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor 170 pages Living in the family car in their small North Carolina town after their father leaves them virtually penniless, Georgina, desperate to improve their situation and unwilling to accept her overworked mother's calls for patience, persuades her younger brother to help her in an elaborate scheme to get money by stealing a dog and then claiming the reward that the owners are bound to offer This book was not anything that I thought it would be from the title!! A homeless family living in a car, the children try to make money so they can move into an apartment...even if it means stealing a dog. The narrator of the book, the daughter, is very disrepectful to her mother (not a good example since this is a childre's book) and some of the things I would not feel comfortable with my elementary student reading. The ending does show the strength in honesty and family.

Raising Lumie by Joan Bauer

Raising Lumie by Joan Bauer 267 pages Olive Hudson desperately wants a dog. But that doesn't seem to be a possibility right now. Newly orphaned, she's moving in with the half sister she hardly knows and their life is too chaotic to include a dog. But then something wonderful happens: Olive gets a chance to raise Lumie, a guide dog puppy. Discipline. Rules. Lots of hugs. Only the best of the best puppies continue on to become guide dogs, and of course Olive wants Lumie to be chosen. But if she is, that means that Olive will lose her. Once again, the incomparable Joan Bauer tells a touching story that is full of heart and warmth and unabashed idealism"-- This is one of next year's Mark Twain nominees, and since it is about a dog it will be very popular. I liked this one because it told the story of the young girl who cared for the dog and the dog's are being raised to become guide dogs. Very touching story!

Each Little Bird That Wings by Deborah Wiles

Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles - 247 pages

Comfort Snowberger has attended more funerals that anyone else her age as her family owns the local funeral parlor.  But when Great Aunt Florentine dies it is different.  Comfort not only has to deal with her grief for Aunt Florentine but also her annoying cousin Peach and her best friend who has suddenly turned away from her.

This book is loosely connected to the Aurora County novels by Deborah Wiles.  I enjoyed this book.  It was entertaining and funny even while dealing with the various forms grief can take.  I would recommend this book to all kids.

Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie

Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie - 192 pages

This is another one of Jennifer Crusie's early romances.  You can definitely tell it was published in the 1990s.  The main obstacle to the romance was an age difference which today wouldn't even be thought of as an issue.  The technology was also very dated.  Still, it was a quick and fun romance to read.

Marley & Me: Life And Love With The World's Worst Dog by John Grogan

Marley & Me by John Grogan, 291 pages

I listened to this book in the form of a playaway and found the story very entertaining but in parts extremely sad. Marley & Me is the story of young newlyweds John and Jenny Grogan and their life with a very adventurous dog named Marley.  John and Jenny begin their life together in Florida working at competing newspapers.  Before life with children, the couple finds raising puppy Marley to be quite an adventure.  Marley is extremely afraid of thunderstorms so much so that when one happens he goes crazy destroying the house.  Throughout the course of raising three children and a move to Pennsylvania, Marley remains a loyal and trusty companion.  The ending will make you cry.

Haatchi & Little B: The Inspiring True Story of One Boy and His Dog by Wendy Holden

Haatchi & Little B: The Inspiring True Story of One Boy and His Dog
by Wendy Holden --224 pages

Haatchi was abandoned on a railroad track, and if he hadn't been extremely lucky, he could have been easily been killed. Even with his luck, his back leg and tail had to be amputated. Such a big dog, so many health problems caused by his missing limb, it's hard to place a dog like that in a foster home.

Owen, aka "little buddy" or "Little B" was born with a rare genetic disorder that constantly contracts his muscles and leaves him dependent on a wheelchair and many doctors. As he grew up, he began to notice his differences more and more and, to his parents' dismay, he withdrew into himself and refused to be social or make friends.

This story is about two broken lives coming together into one complete life. Haatchi was the confidence Owen needed, and Owen was the motivation Haatchi needed to keep living.

While the story is touching and tender, I am not a huge fan of the author's style, or lack of it. She seemed to put things in a bland light, or perhaps my attention span is just not very long. I would have liked it shown to me instead of told. Also, forgive me, I feel like the story should be more about Owen than Haatchi. Even so, this boy and dog are undoubtedly a sweet pair.

Until Tuesday by Luis Carlos Montalván

Until Tuesday by Luis Carlos Montalván -- 252 pages

Tuesday's training started when he was three days old. Every detail of his young life was intended so that he would one day be a service dog. He was never trained by the same person two days in a row, and was taught to serve the person holding the leash. So when he changed facilities and programs, there was only one person training him, and he bonded to that person quickly. Then they left, and then the next person left, and Tuesday's enthusiasm was gone. He was disappointing as a service dog with a mind of his own. He didn't trust anyone to stay with him anymore.

Luis served in the military for seventeen years, and when he was finally honorably discharged, his body and brain were broken. Traumatic brain damage and a cracked spine and Luis could get no where. He swallowed half a bottle of pain meds a day and drank constantly, trying to keep the pain and memories away. He could hardly walk down the street because of extreme PTSD and avoided trains and subs at all costs.

Until Tuesday is the story of how two broken spirits came together and healed.

This story is heart-breaking, heart-warming, exciting, and insightful. I'd recommend it to any person who ever had even a slight interest in service dogs.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls -- 249 pages

Billy is an old man now, fondly looking back on childhood memories of his two little red coon hounds. The three of them were inseparable and made up the best coon hunting team in the Ozarks.

Where the Red Fern Grows is a sweet and tender story that I enjoyed revisiting. I listened to the playaway at Windsor.

Dog Friday by Hilary McKay

Dog Friday by Hilary McKay - 135 pages

Robin is terrified of dogs - until the day he finds an injured, starving dog on the beach.  Now he desperately wants that dog as his pet.  He just has to wait the seven days to make sure nobody else claims him first.
This is the prequel to The Amber Cat.  It tells of meeting of all the main characters. This is not Hilary McKay's best book, but it was still interesting to read.