Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In one of this graphic novel's three short stories, Henry, a lonely African-American boy, befriends a Vietnam vet named Lanford. With difficulty, Lanford tells Henry about Sheba, his scout dog patrol mate. "Army rules," Lanford recalls bitterly. "Dogs are equipment, like your gun or your ammo." All three of the story's dog heroes make it through combat alive, as do their handlers. Yet Keenan (Greetings from the 50 States) doesn't flinch from the terrors they face, and neither does Fox's traditional comic book-style artwork. The first episode is set during WWI, as a 16-year-old orphan and his border collie survive trench warfare; the second follows new recruit Cooper and feisty Husky Loki as they are chased by Nazis through a blizzard; the third belongs to Lanford and Henry (and Sheba). All are crammed with action and emotion. Ages 8-12. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 Up-Keenan has created an exhilarating and suspenseful set of stories about three soldiers and their dogs while also giving a general overview of different wars and touching on some period political and cultural events. Donnie and his dog, Boots, are medics lost deep in the trenches of World War I, trying to find their platoon. Rescuers stationed in Greenland, Cooper and his dog, Loki, are sent to save a downed World War II pilot. The book ends with the compelling story of Lanford, a vet back from Vietnam suffering from flashbacks of his scout dog, Sheba. These relationships feel genuine and are well developed, showing the training process and the reliance each one had with the other in order to stay alive. By the end, readers will feel that these dogs were not just helpers, but true soldiers worthy of honor. Fox's illustrations do a wonderful job of showing the devastating nature of these conflicts without sensationalized violence. The backgrounds are exceptional, showing the extremes of each story's harsh and dangerous environment. A prologue gives more information about each war and a history of solider dogs up to present day. This stunning graphic novel will be a hit with reluctant readers and history lovers.-Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, WI (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Color by Rico Renzi and Guy Major. In this wrenching graphic novel, three stories of dogs who were active participants in wars are presented. Slightly muddy illustrations highlight the chaos and grimness of war, and the text, though sometimes dense, is overall well balanced with the art. A powerful author's note, compelling stories, and the heroism of these dogs will likely inspire and move readers. Reading list, websites. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
