Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (mistreatment of dog)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ESSENTIAL; MS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
11yo Gladys, small for her age, quite eccentric in her dress and vocabulary use, meets Jude, also 11yo, but he is quite laid back, easy going and tries to always be obedient. Both kids live in a ramshackle neighborhood. Gladys’ mom runs a daycare and Gladys often has to help out; her dad works all day. Jude has a mother and a little brother, but no father. Jude's mother works at the rest-home and takes every shift she can get. She is always exhausted and not always very nice. Jude is mostly responsible for his little brother. A chance meeting with a neglected dog brings these two kids together. They name the dog True. They find out where the dog lives and go by to visit as often as they can. One day True is gone. They set out to find True, and when they do they decide to hide the dog in a safe place, and visit every day. They even make a schedule. Things do not go as planned and the kids panic a little, then come up with a new plan.
I loved this book; it touched my heart. Here are these two kids who really have nothing, doing all they can to save this dog. The story is told by both Gladys and Jude in alternating chapters. Gladys is extremely bright and Jude is so level headed. It really is great to see how these two, very different kids end up working together. It is great, this way you get the perspective of both the children. I would highly recommend this book. It might even want you and your children to get a dog of your own.
Ellen-Anita, Librarian
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