Green, Sara. Water Rescue Dogs.

Green, Sara.  Water Rescue Dogs.  Scholastic Press    2014  24p   $22.95  ISBN 978-0-531-26184-2  series: Dogs to the Rescue  elem  Nonfiction  VG-BNes

This easy reader informs children about dogs that are specially trained to rescue people who are drowning in bodies of water.  At a second-grade reading level, with glossary definitions, large print, and plenty of photographs, this book will also find a readership with reluctant readers in the middle school.  It begins with the story of Boo, a Newfoundland retriever with no rescue training who nonetheless saved a deaf mute who was drowning.  Subsequent chapters discuss the training of water rescue dogs and the way that they work, using air scenting, towing, helicopters, flotation harnesses and floats.  In some cases, dogs have to make vital decisions as well … for example, they may need to determine which in a group of people at risk needs help first, or whether a person has lost consciousness and needs to be rolled over in the water.  This book will fascinate young readers who are dog lovers. 

The book includes a table of contents, glossary, list of references, and index.

Summary: This easy reader informs children about dogs that are specially trained to rescue people who are drowning in bodies of water.  At a second-grade reading level, with glossary definitions, large print, and plenty of photographs, this book will also find a readership with reluctant readers at the middle school.

Dogs-Rescue                                                       --Carol Kennedy

Green, Sara. Wilderness Search Dogs.

Green, Sara.  Wilderness Search Dogs.  Scholastic Press     2014  24p   $17.26  ISBN 978-0-531-26185-9      series: Dogs to the Rescue  elem  Nonfiction  VG

Elementary students who love dogs will appreciate this new title on wilderness search dogs.  Written in an easy-to-comprehend manner, the book allows students to gain a better understanding of how wilderness search dogs are valued members of wilderness search teams.  From a listing of specific breeds to training, students see the commitment needed from these dogs and their search teams.  Students are provided with a list of wilderness search dog breeds, along with a more specific profile of a German Shepherd, one of the most common wilderness search dogs.  There is discussion of the training necessary for wilderness search dogs in easy language for students, along with beautiful color photographs.  The author introduces students to Soot, a black Labrador Retriever who was named the 2012 Search and Rescue Dog of the Year by the American Humane Association.

The title includes gorgeous color photographs, a glossary of terms, recommended books and web sites, and an index.  For schools who use Accelerated Reader, an existing quiz is available for students to take (AR Quiz #162622).  

Summary: “Describes the history, commonly used dog breeds, abilities, training, and work of wilderness search dogs.”   

Search dogs                                                 --Charleen Forba-Mayer

Jankowski, Susan. True wilderness Rescue Stories

Jankowski, Susan True wilderness Rescue Stories
Enslow 2010 48p 21.26 978-0-7660-3666-6
elm/ms VG-BN True Rescue Stories (Enslow)


Five thrilling short stories of wilderness rescues. Additional information for safe survival in similar situations is included. This text includes five stories of wilderness rescue. A story about firefighters battling a forest fire concludes with hints from Smokey the Bear, and how the decisions were reviewed after this fire. The second story is about the rescue of a logger in the Pacific Northwest. It is supplemented by the dangers of logging. Story three is about snowmobilers saved by sending a text message. Snowmobile safety supplements the story. A dog helps save mountain climbers in the next story. Search and rescue dog information is included. The last story is about a hiker on the Appalachian Trail who becomes ill in an area so rough that a mule was used as back up to rescue by ATVs. Information about rescue vehicles is given.
There is a glossary, an impressive list of sources for further information and a fairly extensive index.
This volume will attract reluctant readers, both boys and girls. Designed for elementary schools, it will appeal into middle school for struggling readers. Theal, Joan

Birdeye, Tom Storm Mountain

Birdeye, Tom Storm Mountain
Holiday House 2010 135p 16.95
978-0-8234-2130-5 ms/hs Realistic Fiction E-BN
Cat follows her impulsive cousin Ty onto Storm Mountain where their fathers were killed in a storm. After an avalanche, Cat needs to use all her mountaineering skills to help them survive. When her cousin Ty arrives at her doorstep with the crazy idea to climb Storm Mountain to sprinkle the ashes of their twin brother fathers from the summit, Cat tries to convince him it is a life risking plan. Discovering he left without her, Cat tries to catch him and bring Ty home. With a storm approaching, Cat finds Ty with her dog Mugs and they head down. In whiteout conditions they slip into a crevasse. Cat applies all her mountaineering skills and climbs out of the crevasse. Ty finds another route and they proceed on down. As the wind and snow pick up, they try to find shelter. Using Mugs as a blanket the teens settle for the night in a shallow snow cave. They are just barely rescued the next morning, due to the effects of the storm.
Weeks later, the teens and their mothers climb the mountain from the easier side and complete their mission.
The characters are well developed and ring true in their speech and actions. The author’s vast knowledge and familiarity with mountaineering lends an authentic note to the narrative.
The suspense and tension in the life-threatening situations will keep students reading
to the end to find out what happens.
Excellent read for middle school up. Theal, Joan
Mountain rescue