[LM_NET] BOOK: Cracker by Kadohata

[Frederick Muller <mullinator52@GMAIL.COM>]

Kadohata, Cynthia. Cracker: the best dog in Vietnam. Atheneum, 2007
[978-1-4169-0637-7 // 1-4169-0637-1]
Rick is a soldier headed for Vietnam and wants to be in the dog corps.
 He is assigned to Cracker, a smart, independent and sometimes
troublesome German Shepard.  What follows is the touching story of a
dog and his handler, told both by the soldier and the dog.  The 312
book tells what it must have been like to be stationed in Vietnam as a
dog handler.  There are some historical notes at the end of the book.
It is interesting that the does were considered by the military as
equipment and at the end, surplus military equipment.  Cracker
supposedly has a vocabulary of 90 words and when the dog narrates the
story, he only understands those 90 words as he understands them.
This is a wonderful story, telling the harshness of war, and the
devotion of a dog.  The one thing I did not like was when one of the
other dogs died, Cracker thought about how the other dog was going to
a better place.  I wish the author had stuck to the 90 word
understanding instead of getting the dog to ponder theology.  Overall
it is a great book, telling of the war and devotion.


-- 
Frederick Muller, Librarian
Halsted Middle School Library
Newton, NJ
mullinator52@gmail.com
My book reviews are compiled at http://www.mullersreviews.com
My book review blog is at http://MullerInTheMiddle.blogspot.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
 3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
 * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------