It's down and dirty, but better to get it posted than not.
The author of this book is Graham Salisbury.
One of the best works we’ve read that would really get a boy’s interest. Quick read. Reluctant readers. Scouts/scout masters.
Title: A bit of a disservice since the dogs aren’t a huge part of the book. While there are passages about dogs in nearly every chapter and some are most definitely foreshadowing, they are not the main attraction of the book. A title emphasizing the natural disaster or the surroundings might be more affective.
Characters: Louie is probably the most complex, partially because Dylan doesn't understand him. He's had a very hard-knocked life. He tends to be mean because he sees the fear and knows he can be kind of a bully. He has also been bullied and feels that fear is a sign of weakness therefore he doesn’t like people who he preserves as weak. He doesn't like Dylan for this very reason, but in the end Dylan proves himself to Louie.
Dylan is an average kid. He has a good home, dad’s busy, good friend, boy scouts, very 13 - big juxtaposition of the broken home of Louie.
Dylan’s connects to Louie – Chapter 9 – they don’t like messing up.
Mike & Louie are the oldest and both have Hawaiian ancestry. Louie connects to Mike because of this, but Mike feels the need "be tough" to keep his ancestry and pride in check with Louie.
Tad, Sam & Billy – the younger group - These are the least developed of the characters and it was hard to keep track of them at times.
Zach is the one caught between the younger group and Dylan & Casey's age. Wants to be with the older ones, but has responsibility to the younger group.
Mr. Bellows is a critical character for Louie and Casey. Also for Dylan since his dad isn’t there and isn’t a part of the group.
The Reverend really seems to only be there as a chaperone.
Masa was more developed even than the Reverend. The conversations he has with the boys. He gives the information about the white dog being Pele.
Plot:
We all seemed to expect a death and a bit surprised no one died except the 2 horses. The one horse was built up for the emotional connection of loss.
Given the age of intended audience, however, the deaths of the horses versus people may be a lighter way to handle this issue and material. Some teachers may shy away from books with death in them due to their kids maturity level and emotional issues. This book offers ways to share issues without being so in-depth.
Pacing: Fast pace, chapters seemed short. Sometimes could have been continued into the next chapter. Introduces the characters before it picks up the pace. Audience might not realize that the pace is slower because they are still looking for the nugget that’s really going to happen while getting all the pertinent information – characters, background, etc.
Scenery/setting: A map of Hawaii would have been nice. Hard pronunciations with the Hawaiian words. Good explanations without being to “dictionary-style”. For example: Haole or the different types of lava flow sediment. Felt very believable.
The intended audience is for 5th grade and up through middle school. It was a Maude Hart Lovelace Nominee Division II.
We discussed some of our media specialists favorite books to recommend to the older middle schoolers (8th grade) – Black Hole Sun can get gruesome; Hunger Games, Shiver & Linger, Ship Breaker, Theodore Kid Lawyer (seems to be popular with boys). Wimpy Kid is still popular for middle school. Graphic novels are huge. Woods Runner by Paulson. Ook & Gluk and Captain Underwear are still popular for the younger set.
Next Months Book – The Particular Sadness of a Lemon Cake by Amiee Bender – 2011 Alex Award Winner. The Alex Award is for adult books with young adult appeal.
