- poignant story from a dog’s perspective
- his owner has been missing, but he’s had company–2 kids that got stuck in a blizzard
- enchantingly spotlights the depth and meaning that words, poetry & literature can bring
- convo: a child lies once, someone dies (told gently & incrementally)
Type: short chapter book
Ages: 8-12
Author: Patricia MacLachlan
The overall feel of this book is certainly somber, but it is remarkably appropriate for the above age group (and older).
Literary buffs will appreciate many references–from Yeats and Shakespeare to Narnia and Ox-Cart Man. The dog’s owner-friend is a poet and has taught the dog (an Irish wolfhound, by the way) much about words and language.
The two children are brother and sister and–I’m happy to report–actually kind to each other. They successfully live in the cabin with the dog for a few days before adults enter the scene and help the situation. They’re able to navigate cooking, power outages, and staying warm.
A note on the illustrations…there are none. When I returned to the book to form this review, I quickly realized MacLachlan’s power of imagery, because in my mind I thought I remembered actual pictures!
Its length would normally lead it to be included in Bridge Books (Level 3), but the content is best for kids older than the typical beginner reader.
Please let me know if this book impacts your life. ♡