Orenstein, Denise Gosliner. Dirt.

Orenstein, Denise Gosliner. Dirt. Scholastic Press  2017  212p  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-545-92585-3    elem/ms     Animal Stories  VG-BN         

Yonder is eleven. Her mother has died and her father is sunken in depression and she will not speak. She is teased at school and lonely.  Her only friend is Dirt, the overweight Shetland pony belonging to her mean next-door neighbor. When a sign goes up offering Dirt for sale for horse meat, Yonder takes action. She cleans out her bedroom and brings Dirt into the house. However, social services get involved and Yonder is taken to a foster home. She runs away. Tracking down the buyer of Dirt, she discovers a failed zoo that is mistreating the animals. Yonder shows great courage and perseverance to rescue Dirt and the other animals. She has exciting adventures and learns how to trust again. The ending is hopeful.
 

Girls and animal lovers will gravitate to this title. The reader will want to cry, rail out at injustice and finally cheer for Yonder.  A great read for grades 3-7.  

Summary: Yonder has her troubles but moves a Shetland pony named Dirt into her house to prevent the sale of him for horse meat.  Adventure ensues as she rescues Dirt and other animals. 

Horse Stories                                                                                                  --Joan Theal

Monninger, Joseph. Whippoorwill.

Monninger, Joseph.  Whippoorwill.  Houghton Mifflin  2015  275p  $17.99  ISBN 978-0-544-53123-9  hs   Animal story  VG-BN     

Claire and her neighbors might be called “white trash.”  She watches and hears Wally, the next door neighbor’s dog, who is mostly ignored but sometimes abused.  She is afraid of Wally but also feels sorry for him.  One night she finally approaches him and is rewarded with love.  Danny sees Claire and decides to defy his abusive father and try to civilize Wally.  Claire and Danny get along very well in caring for Wally.

Danny fights with his father over Wally and injures his father.  Danny and Claire spend a wonderful day together until Danny is arrested.  While Danny is in jail, Claire rescues Wally with the help of her father and his motorcycle buddies.  To prevent further abuse, Claire surrenders Wally to a rescue center.

This is a sweet story about the love of a dog, how even the worst dog can respond to love and can bring together a boy and a girl.  The ending is a bit of a tearjerker as Claire says goodbye to Wally.  The novel is ensitively written, leaving the reader to learn much about the characters through their actions.  The theme is that no one, neither human nor canine, is a throwaway -- a piece of junk.

Summary: Claire feels sorry for Wally, the next door neighbor’s abused dog.  She begins to train him with the help of the Danny, boy next door.  Danny wants to escape his abusive father, and Claire rescues Wally.  No one, whether a dog or a person, is a throwaway.      

Dogs-Fiction                                                --Joan Theal

Kelley, Jane. The Desperate Adventures of Zeno & Alya.

Kelley, Jane.  The Desperate Adventures of Zeno & Alya.     Macmillan/Feiwel & Friends  2013  201p  $15.99  ISBN 978-1-250-02348-3       ms  Animals  E-BN   

When his master dies, Zeno, an African gray parrot, gets loose.  Zeno knows 127 words and is totally domesticated.  He flies around New York City looking for food, shelter, and a new “servant” (parrot-talk for “master”).  At the same time, Alya, who has leukemia, has almost given up.  She needs a friend desperately.  This is a story of frustration and persevering in spite of the setbacks.  Zeno tries his best to be understood by humans and to make his needs known, often with unsuccessful results, but he keeps trying.  Alya is frustrated that she can’t do the things she used to do and loves to do.  Her family does its best to help, but it isn’t enough.

 

This title often brings tears to the reader’s eye, but it is never maudlin or depressing.  It is about loss and cancer, but not about worry and defeat.   Instead it is a testament to the spirit of overcoming adversity and perseverance.

The story will hold the reader from the first page to the last, with the reader rooting for both Zena and Alya all the way through.  It will be enjoyed by readers from about age ten on up.  Adults will see it as a triumph of spirit.

Summary: An African gray parrot, Zeno, is on the loose and looking for a friend to take care of him.  Alya has leukemia and desperately needs a friend and a reason to keep living.  A perfect match, if it can only happen.           

Parrots-Fiction, Animal stories                                   --Joan Theal

Beck, W.H. Malcolm at Midnight.

Beck, W.H.  Malcolm at Midnight.    Houghton Mifflin  265p  $16.99      978-0-547-68100-9 2012  elm/ms      VG-BN       Animal stories   

A student could not make a truer statement than this: "A lot happens in a school when the teachers aren't looking".  Malcolm is a very undersized rat destined to become dinner for some snake when he is snatched from the jaws of death to become the pet “mouse” in Mr. Binney’s classroom.  While he is initially insulted at the “mouse” designation, Malcolm soon realizes that rats are not nearly as popular as mouse pets.  He goes along with the mistake and soon is enmeshed in the daily -- and nightly -- life of the school.  He teaches himself to read, endears himself to his humans, and discovers the Midnight Academy, a secret society of classroom pets that works to safeguard the school and its students.  Malcolm finds it difficult to prove himself to this group as more than a dirty rat when suddenly, its leader, Aggy the iguana, disappears, and danger lurks throughout the school for both children and animals.  

This very enjoyable tale is written in the form of an anonymous letter, both annotated and footnoted, to Mr. Binney, and it details all of the intricate plot elements.  Malcolm’s appealing character and his devotion to the protection of the school, no matter what the risk, allow him to prove himself as a rat of “valor and merit”.  The lovely pencil illustrations throughout the book greatly enhance the story.

Rats-Fiction, Classroom pets-Fiction                  --Susan Ogintz

Martin, Ann M. Because of Shoe.

Martin, Ann M.    Because of Shoe.  Macmillan/Henry Holt    261p  $15.99      978-0-8050-9314-8 elm/ms            VG      Animal stories   

The nine short stories in this collection are organized by reading level, from the easiest-to-read to the most difficult.  This allows readers at many levels to enjoy the heartwarming and funny dog stories, written by several famous authors who are not especially known for animal stories.  The stories included in this collection are sometimes hilariously funny, or poignant, or thoughtful, or endearing.  The styles vary as well.  One is written in free verse.
 

There is a story about Max the Dax catching a dog-napper, a story about a boy and dog who rescue a little lost boy, stories from the dog’s point of view, and one about how Shoe got her name.  There is a story about a dog named Peanut who is mistaken for a wolf, and even one about a boy who turns into a dog.  In short, a little bit of everything.  The book will be enjoyed by readers who love their dog, wish they had a dog, or fondly remember a past dog.

This book is recommended for grades 4-7.  Everyone will find at least one story he or she can relate to in this varied collection.
     

Short stories, Dog stories                                                                              -- Joan Theal