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Rez Dogs
From the U.S.'s foremost indigenous children's author comes a middle grade verse novel set during the COVID-19 pandemic, about a Wabanaki girl's quarantine on her grandparents' reservation and the local dog that becomes her best friend
Malian was visiting her grandparents on the reservation when the COVID-19 pandemic started. Now she's staying there, away from her parents and her school in Boston. Everyone is worried about the pandemic, but on the reservation, everyone protects each other, from Malian caring for her grandparents to the local dog, Malsum, guarding their house. They always survive together.
Malian hears stories from her grandparents about how it has always been this way in their community: Stories about their ancestors, who survived epidemics of European diseases; about her grandfather, who survived a terrible government boarding school; and about Malian's own mother, who survived and returned to her Native community after social services took her away to live in foster care as a child. With their community and caring for one another, Malian and her family will survive this pandemic, too.
Malian was visiting her grandparents on the reservation when the COVID-19 pandemic started. Now she's staying there, away from her parents and her school in Boston. Everyone is worried about the pandemic, but on the reservation, everyone protects each other, from Malian caring for her grandparents to the local dog, Malsum, guarding their house. They always survive together.
Malian hears stories from her grandparents about how it has always been this way in their community: Stories about their ancestors, who survived epidemics of European diseases; about her grandfather, who survived a terrible government boarding school; and about Malian's own mother, who survived and returned to her Native community after social services took her away to live in foster care as a child. With their community and caring for one another, Malian and her family will survive this pandemic, too.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published June 8, 2021
About the author
Joseph Bruchac
261 books547 followersJoseph Bruchac lives with his wife, Carol, in the Adirondack mountain foothills town of Greenfield Center, New York, in the same house where his maternal grandparents raised him. Much of his writing draws on that land and his Abenaki ancestry. Although his American Indian heritage is only one part of an ethnic background that includes Slovak and English blood, those Native roots are the ones by which he has been most nourished. He, his younger sister Margaret, and his two grown sons, James and Jesse, continue to work extensively in projects involving the preservation of Abenaki culture, language and traditional Native skills, including performing traditional and contemporary Abenaki music with the Dawnland Singers.
He holds a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing from Syracuse and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the Union Institute of Ohio. His work as a educator includes eight years of directing a college program for Skidmore College inside a maximum security prison. With his wife, Carol, he is the founder and Co-Director of the Greenfield Review Literary Center and The Greenfield Review Press. He has edited a number of highly praised anthologies of contemporary poetry and fiction, including Songs from this Earth on Turtle's Back, Breaking Silence (winner of an American Book Award) and Returning the Gift. His poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from American Poetry Review, Cricket and Aboriginal Voices to National Geographic, Parabola and Smithsonian Magazine. He has authored more than 70 books for adults and children, including The First Strawberries, Keepers of the Earth (co-authored with Michael Caduto), Tell Me a Tale, When the Chenoo Howls (co-authored with his son, James), his autobiography Bowman's Store and such novels as Dawn Land, The Waters Between, Arrow Over the Door and The Heart of a Chief. Forthcoming titles include Squanto's Journey (Harcourt), a picture book, Sacajawea (Harcourt), an historical novel, Crazy Horse's Vision (Lee & Low), a picture book, and Pushing Up The Sky (Dial), a collection of plays for children. His honors include a Rockefeller Humanities fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellowship for Poetry, the Cherokee Nation Prose Award, the Knickerbocker Award, the Hope S. Dean Award for Notable Achievement in Children's Literature and both the 1998 Writer of the Year Award and the 1998 Storyteller of the Year Award from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. In 1999, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas.
As a professional teller of the traditional tales of the Adirondacks and the Native peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands, Joe Bruchac has performed widely in Europe and throughout the United States from Florida to Hawaii and has been featured at such events as the British Storytelling Festival and the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro, Tennessee. He has been a storyteller-in-residence for Native American organizations and schools throughout the continent, including the Institute of Alaska Native Arts and the Onondaga Nation School. He discusses Native culture and his books and does storytelling programs at dozens of elementary and secondary schools each year as a visiting author.
He holds a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing from Syracuse and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the Union Institute of Ohio. His work as a educator includes eight years of directing a college program for Skidmore College inside a maximum security prison. With his wife, Carol, he is the founder and Co-Director of the Greenfield Review Literary Center and The Greenfield Review Press. He has edited a number of highly praised anthologies of contemporary poetry and fiction, including Songs from this Earth on Turtle's Back, Breaking Silence (winner of an American Book Award) and Returning the Gift. His poems, articles and stories have appeared in over 500 publications, from American Poetry Review, Cricket and Aboriginal Voices to National Geographic, Parabola and Smithsonian Magazine. He has authored more than 70 books for adults and children, including The First Strawberries, Keepers of the Earth (co-authored with Michael Caduto), Tell Me a Tale, When the Chenoo Howls (co-authored with his son, James), his autobiography Bowman's Store and such novels as Dawn Land, The Waters Between, Arrow Over the Door and The Heart of a Chief. Forthcoming titles include Squanto's Journey (Harcourt), a picture book, Sacajawea (Harcourt), an historical novel, Crazy Horse's Vision (Lee & Low), a picture book, and Pushing Up The Sky (Dial), a collection of plays for children. His honors include a Rockefeller Humanities fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellowship for Poetry, the Cherokee Nation Prose Award, the Knickerbocker Award, the Hope S. Dean Award for Notable Achievement in Children's Literature and both the 1998 Writer of the Year Award and the 1998 Storyteller of the Year Award from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. In 1999, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas.
As a professional teller of the traditional tales of the Adirondacks and the Native peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands, Joe Bruchac has performed widely in Europe and throughout the United States from Florida to Hawaii and has been featured at such events as the British Storytelling Festival and the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro, Tennessee. He has been a storyteller-in-residence for Native American organizations and schools throughout the continent, including the Institute of Alaska Native Arts and the Onondaga Nation School. He discusses Native culture and his books and does storytelling programs at dozens of elementary and secondary schools each year as a visiting author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 672 reviews
July 11, 2021
I wanted to like this more, and it was FINE, just not great for me. I don’t think putting the novel in verse added to the story; in fact I think it took away from the author’s ability to thoroughly address some of the topics brought up in the book. Also I think the format took away from the reader being able to engage with the main character. I liked her but I wanted to know MORE of her thoughts, feelings, and struggles and there just wasn’t enough for me.
November 6, 2021
Bruchac never ceases to amaze me with his amazing storytelling skills that both capture the attention of the reader and inform them about the Indigenous experience. Rez Dogs proves to be no different.
Rez Dogs is a middle grade story written in verse that captures the experiences of Malian as she quarantines with her grandparents (all members of the Wabanaki Nation). While the story itself does cover the current experiences of the pandemic such as quarantining, virtual school, etc, I absolutely loved that Bruchac took this as an opportunity to discuss an array of tough topics including the experiences of Native/Indigenous peoples sent to residential schools, colonization, forced sterilization, the removal of Native/Indigenous children from their homes, and more. While he does not go into deep detail about every atrocity committed against Native American/Indigenous communities, he does provide a brief insight that will make readers more aware of their experiences. While I listened to this on audio, I did know that it was written in verse. What's even more powerful about this story is that it feels like oral storytelling. This made it feel more impactful and more personal. It truly felt as though I was sitting in a room with Joseph Bruchac as he told me this story from his memory.
I absolutely adored this book and believe that Bruchac crafted this story in a way that is truly accessible for children especially for children who are learning about the experiences of others. His ability to weave in current events while also recognizing the events of the past and their lasting effects on marginalized communities is powerful. If you're looking for a children's book that is great for all audiences, I would recommend checking this out.
Rez Dogs is a middle grade story written in verse that captures the experiences of Malian as she quarantines with her grandparents (all members of the Wabanaki Nation). While the story itself does cover the current experiences of the pandemic such as quarantining, virtual school, etc, I absolutely loved that Bruchac took this as an opportunity to discuss an array of tough topics including the experiences of Native/Indigenous peoples sent to residential schools, colonization, forced sterilization, the removal of Native/Indigenous children from their homes, and more. While he does not go into deep detail about every atrocity committed against Native American/Indigenous communities, he does provide a brief insight that will make readers more aware of their experiences. While I listened to this on audio, I did know that it was written in verse. What's even more powerful about this story is that it feels like oral storytelling. This made it feel more impactful and more personal. It truly felt as though I was sitting in a room with Joseph Bruchac as he told me this story from his memory.
I absolutely adored this book and believe that Bruchac crafted this story in a way that is truly accessible for children especially for children who are learning about the experiences of others. His ability to weave in current events while also recognizing the events of the past and their lasting effects on marginalized communities is powerful. If you're looking for a children's book that is great for all audiences, I would recommend checking this out.
June 8, 2021
Rez Dogs is a charming novel in verse for a middle grade audience about a young Native American girl named Malian staying with her grandparents on the reservation during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. She doesn't go play with friends in order to keep her grandparents safe, does virtual school, and listens to traditional stories. This also touches on serious topics including the Black Lives Matter summer protests, residential schools, forced sterilization, and the taking of Native children to foster care. All of which is done in an age appropriate, accessible way. A dog also befriends Malian while she is staying there and protects her. This was short and sweet and does a great job of addressing the experience of young kids last year. The audiobook is read by the author and feels like a story is being told to you. I received an audio copy for review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
April 27, 2023
Mailan spends the early months of 2020 with her grandparents on the reservation due to COVID and stay at home orders.
May 2, 2022
I'm always impressed when a verse novel manages to tell an elaborate story in a really condensed form, and this book does exactly that. During the pandemic, Malian quarantines with her grandparents, which is a way for her to connect with her Indigenous heritage, by listening to her grandparents' stories. Especially lovely is the rez dog who comes to stay with Malian to protect her and her family.
January 6, 2022
A beautiful book, told in open verse like an oral story, about a girl at the start of the pandemic. As she guards her grandparents, she is guarded by a dog who came just when he knew he was needed. There are stories within the story: old stories of animals and ancestors, and newer stories about her life, and the lives of her parents and grandparents.
Added thought: this would be an excellent book for classrooms.
Added thought: this would be an excellent book for classrooms.
June 11, 2021
"What it showed him
was that the dogs
could do just fine
on their own without us.
We humans were lucky
they chose to live with us.
Or maybe it was the other way around -
We're the ones who chose
to live with them."
"A dog needs people
as much as people
need a dog."
"You will always be
a friend to them,
a better friend than
some of them deserve."
"No one should feel guilty
about the past. Unless
they're not doing
anything about the present."
This book was full of layer after layer of wisdom. The audiobook read by the author was the loveliest experience, and I cherished it!
was that the dogs
could do just fine
on their own without us.
We humans were lucky
they chose to live with us.
Or maybe it was the other way around -
We're the ones who chose
to live with them."
"A dog needs people
as much as people
need a dog."
"You will always be
a friend to them,
a better friend than
some of them deserve."
"No one should feel guilty
about the past. Unless
they're not doing
anything about the present."
This book was full of layer after layer of wisdom. The audiobook read by the author was the loveliest experience, and I cherished it!
Read
December 3, 2021hm I thought this would shine in audiobook but it didn't totally click for me--I understand the desire for the author to read their own book but since the protagonist is a girl, a female reader might have been better IMO?
That aside, it's wild that there are already books set during COVID and I think this is one that can both universally help a lot of kids process the trauma and weirdness of early lockdown while also specifically sharing Wabanaki stories. Plus: dogs! Lots to like.
That aside, it's wild that there are already books set during COVID and I think this is one that can both universally help a lot of kids process the trauma and weirdness of early lockdown while also specifically sharing Wabanaki stories. Plus: dogs! Lots to like.
July 5, 2024
fine?
I like Joseph’s novels well enough. And this verse project was one of those cases where it just felt like the story needed to have been a middle grade novel. It didn’t lend itself to poetry, and it felt like there would be more room to explore the themes and characters had it been written in a different form
As it stands, there was a lot under the surface but it was never expanded on and really unearthed. Mostly, I think, due to the limitations of the form the author chose.
I like Joseph’s novels well enough. And this verse project was one of those cases where it just felt like the story needed to have been a middle grade novel. It didn’t lend itself to poetry, and it felt like there would be more room to explore the themes and characters had it been written in a different form
As it stands, there was a lot under the surface but it was never expanded on and really unearthed. Mostly, I think, due to the limitations of the form the author chose.
October 19, 2021
A young girl shelters in place with her grandparents on a Wabanaki reservation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Listening to their stories about their experience at residential schools, her ancestors, and her people's spirituality she draws connections between her family history and what is happening to her in the present day. And there is a big wonderful dog who has adopted her and provides protection and guidance. Nice!
(A favorite Steinbeck passage I choose to interpret without irony: The paintings on the wall were largely preoccupied with the amazing heroism of large dogs faced with imperiled children. Nor water nor fire nor earthquake could do in a child so long as a big dog was available.)
With only a narrow column of text on each page (one to five words per line), it's a quick read to boot. Very nice!
(A favorite Steinbeck passage I choose to interpret without irony: The paintings on the wall were largely preoccupied with the amazing heroism of large dogs faced with imperiled children. Nor water nor fire nor earthquake could do in a child so long as a big dog was available.)
With only a narrow column of text on each page (one to five words per line), it's a quick read to boot. Very nice!
July 4, 2021
Such a wonderful story telling novel in verse set in current time.
COVID-19 hit the nation and Malian is staying on the Rez with her grandparents until shelter in place is lifted. During this time a Rez dog finds her and becomes her companion. Malian learns courage, history, and maturity during her time.
Bruchac does a fantastic job of weaving in realities for Native Americans historically and in the present.
Highly recommend.
COVID-19 hit the nation and Malian is staying on the Rez with her grandparents until shelter in place is lifted. During this time a Rez dog finds her and becomes her companion. Malian learns courage, history, and maturity during her time.
Bruchac does a fantastic job of weaving in realities for Native Americans historically and in the present.
Highly recommend.
September 29, 2023
Fun fact: it's tough to read aloud when you're crying. (Mostly happy tears). What I loved about Rez Dogs, which is written in verse, is that it introduced us to the current reality of life in the 2020s for a teenager who lives in the city but experiences the covid lockdown on a Wabanaki reservation. Malian comes to understand the similarities between (and significance of) her ancestral past and the current events, through the stories that her grandparents tell. I feel that this book is both a mirror and a window. Excellent for middle graders, and their mother :)
July 4, 2021
“Been there, done that”
Bruchac uses this sentiment to describe how the Native American family in the story felt about the “unprecedented” COVID-19 pandemic, as White colonialists brought diseases to the continent hundreds of years ago, decimating the Indigenous population. This MG story in verse is set during COVID, but is much more about oral storytelling and remembering Indian boarding schools, being taken into foster care, and other atrocities committed against Native Americans. Highly recommend as a read aloud for grades 4-8. Definitely can go younger but be prepared for heavy topics. Incredibly accessible text, very very short book.
Bruchac uses this sentiment to describe how the Native American family in the story felt about the “unprecedented” COVID-19 pandemic, as White colonialists brought diseases to the continent hundreds of years ago, decimating the Indigenous population. This MG story in verse is set during COVID, but is much more about oral storytelling and remembering Indian boarding schools, being taken into foster care, and other atrocities committed against Native Americans. Highly recommend as a read aloud for grades 4-8. Definitely can go younger but be prepared for heavy topics. Incredibly accessible text, very very short book.
July 4, 2024
I loved the storytelling and history/Native American spirituality woven throughout this book. I also liked that it’s recent, taking place on a reservation during COVID. I already know many of my students will say it doesn’t have enough action or excitement, which I would tend to agree with, but I did enjoy it.
Classroom library: no language, no sex, MS-appropriate mentions of historical abuses to Native American people
Classroom library: no language, no sex, MS-appropriate mentions of historical abuses to Native American people
December 23, 2021
DNF @ 25%
This was really sweet, but ultimately failed to hold my interest. Definitely recommend it though!
This was really sweet, but ultimately failed to hold my interest. Definitely recommend it though!
January 19, 2024
“Why are all those dogs tied to people like that? Don’t they have any lives of their own?”
This is actually the only book I've read that is set during the pandemic and I am thankful it is the first. Bruchac is a stellar writer, but truly, the best part was learning more about the Wabanaki Nation. I (regrettably) do not know as much about Wabanaki heritage as I would like to. It was beautiful to read about Malian connecting with that heritage while the narrative-in-verse carefully weaved together historical realities with present day.
This is actually the only book I've read that is set during the pandemic and I am thankful it is the first. Bruchac is a stellar writer, but truly, the best part was learning more about the Wabanaki Nation. I (regrettably) do not know as much about Wabanaki heritage as I would like to. It was beautiful to read about Malian connecting with that heritage while the narrative-in-verse carefully weaved together historical realities with present day.
November 12, 2022
I read this book because it’s one of the chosen Reading Link books for the schools in my area and as an elementary school librarian I host this event for my grade 4s and 5s. Living in Canada I was greatly disappointed that the term ‘Indian’ is used throughout this book to refer to the Indigenous characters. This term is used both as a memory of what white people have called them (eg “lazy Indian”) and then what the Indigenous also call themselves. I am aware that many Native Americans continue to self-identify as ‘Indian’ but this is less common in Canada and certainly would not be something that I, as a white person, would ever use to describe an Indigenous person. I spend a good amount of time reinforcing the use of the term ‘Indigenous’ (even preferred over ‘First Nations’ as that terminology leaves out Métis and Inuit) and now I’m going to have to assign this book to my young students that uses this offensive term over and over again.
Additionally, the story itself is not overly interesting as it’s essentially Malian staying with her grandparents day in and day out during lock down due to COVID.
I am shocked that so many reviewers give this such high praise and I can only assume they are reading for themselves as adults and not reading with thoughts of what younger students will think. Frankly, I think they will think this a dull book, written in verse (which is always difficult to get kids to give a try) and then has the added “bonus” of offensive terminology.
Additionally, the story itself is not overly interesting as it’s essentially Malian staying with her grandparents day in and day out during lock down due to COVID.
I am shocked that so many reviewers give this such high praise and I can only assume they are reading for themselves as adults and not reading with thoughts of what younger students will think. Frankly, I think they will think this a dull book, written in verse (which is always difficult to get kids to give a try) and then has the added “bonus” of offensive terminology.
February 21, 2024
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Rez Dogs is the first book I’ve read set during the pandemic, and I’m guessing kids will appreciate seeing their recent reality on the page. Malian was visiting her grandparents on the reservation when the quarantine was ordered, but she loves her grandparents and the stories of their Native history, so she doesn’t mind staying with them. Besides the shoddy internet and missing her parents, she’s content. And she realizes the importance of quarantining to keep everyone safe. When a mysterious dog shows up, Malian forms an instant friendship with him, but she realizes he’s not meant to be a pet. Instead, he acts as a protector of sorts. Told in relatively simple free verse, the author weaves the grandparents’ multigenerational stories into the plot and puts a spotlight on the mistreatment of Native people. Readers are sure to learn something new, but they will also find themselves relating to Malian’s circumstances during the pandemic.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher for Cybil’s judging purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Rez Dogs is the first book I’ve read set during the pandemic, and I’m guessing kids will appreciate seeing their recent reality on the page. Malian was visiting her grandparents on the reservation when the quarantine was ordered, but she loves her grandparents and the stories of their Native history, so she doesn’t mind staying with them. Besides the shoddy internet and missing her parents, she’s content. And she realizes the importance of quarantining to keep everyone safe. When a mysterious dog shows up, Malian forms an instant friendship with him, but she realizes he’s not meant to be a pet. Instead, he acts as a protector of sorts. Told in relatively simple free verse, the author weaves the grandparents’ multigenerational stories into the plot and puts a spotlight on the mistreatment of Native people. Readers are sure to learn something new, but they will also find themselves relating to Malian’s circumstances during the pandemic.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher for Cybil’s judging purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
September 12, 2021
This is such a fantastic middle grade in verse! I loved the way this touched on so many topics that affect Indigenous communities in the U.S., but in a way that is really appropriate for a middle grade audience. It shows the main character processing both what is happening to her family during COVID-19 quarantine as well as the history of what her family has been through in the past, all with a focus on strength through sharing stories. Really lovely story that I'd highly recommend!
Content Warnings:
epidemic, residential schools & forced child separation, cultural & physical genocide, forced sterilization, racism
Content Warnings:
epidemic, residential schools & forced child separation, cultural & physical genocide, forced sterilization, racism
Read
July 22, 2022
Trigger & Content Warnings
COVID-19 pandemic (theme)
COVID-19 pandemic (theme)
August 15, 2023
3.5 stars. I liked this book about Malian, an eighth grader visiting her grandparents who live on the Wabanaki Reservation. When Covid hits, a shelter-in-place order keeps her on the Rez for longer than her family anticipated. This short novel in verse elevates the voices of Malian and her family and touches on many issues around indigenous experiences in America. Despite the serious and complex nature of some of the issues raised in the story, the plot structure is fairly straightforward, and I think this book will be a good addition to our Windows & Mirrors curriculum. I loved the relationship that develops between Malian and the dog Malsum, and I think many students will connect with her descriptions of trying to "do school" remotely during the Pandemic. What I thought the book sort of lacked was one strong central conflict that drove the action forward to an eventual climax. Instead, this felt more like a character-driven story as Malian listens to her grandparents and experiences the Rez. Ironically, I also thought Malian's character needed a bit more development; more of her personal thoughts and feelings might help deepen readers' connection to her.
September 5, 2023
A short and sweet book about an Indigenous girl staying with her grandparents at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. While this was a very quick read (the audiobook was only about two hours), there wasn't very much happening. I almost hesitate to call it a story - there was no problem or resolution, even though it took place during the shelter-in-place order, Malian didn't go anywhere in order to keep her grandparents healthy, and the book very lightly touched on issues of racial justice. It mostly read like a diary, detailing her day-to-day experiences with this dog who chose her, spending time with her grandparents, and attempting to complete remote school work. I wish there had been more about how she was engaging with everything - at most, there was the occasional mention of how she missed her parents but was still happy to be with her grandparents.
I didn't dislike this - I just wanted more.
I didn't dislike this - I just wanted more.
October 29, 2022
LOVED!! A lot shorter than I was expecting, but it proved to be just as strong and powerful.
This story has LAYERS. All while in the first two months of the pandemic, Malian is learning from her grandparents what it means to be Wabanaki and the history that entails such as the Indian boarding schools, social services separating families, bounties for scalps, diseases, first contact, colonization, and more.
So so so so so so much to unpack with this book. Would be a GREAT read aloud for grades 3+ because the story itself is short and simple, but every few chapters you’ll have an awesome opportunity to dig into some real rich history. Highly recommend to all readers!!
This story has LAYERS. All while in the first two months of the pandemic, Malian is learning from her grandparents what it means to be Wabanaki and the history that entails such as the Indian boarding schools, social services separating families, bounties for scalps, diseases, first contact, colonization, and more.
So so so so so so much to unpack with this book. Would be a GREAT read aloud for grades 3+ because the story itself is short and simple, but every few chapters you’ll have an awesome opportunity to dig into some real rich history. Highly recommend to all readers!!
January 1, 2022
Rez Dogs is told in verse and follows 8th grader Malian who is staying at her grandparents' house on the Wabanaki reservation when the pandemic lockdown is put in place. The storytelling aspect is wonderful; Bruchac effortlessly weaves community stories of the past with the newly navigated reality of the present. I loved the strong familial bonds and how Malian was able to share her history with her virtual class.
October 31, 2021
My husband had to twist my arm to get me to read this and I'm so glad he did. I usually don't like stories told in verse, but very quickly that became a non-issue just as he predicted. Some very heavy issues are introduced in a way suitable for young readers without sugar-coating or dumbing down. Excellent magical realism feel as well.
July 6, 2021
This beautiful middle-grade verse novel by Joseph Bruchac is a worthy addition to every bookshelf. Not only is it a timely, COVID read, but introduces themes of history, inclusion, and a sense of belonging.
My only problem was with the e-book version's dog illustration that covered text at the beginning of each chapter. Better to buy the book and read all the words!
My only problem was with the e-book version's dog illustration that covered text at the beginning of each chapter. Better to buy the book and read all the words!
November 23, 2022
I loved this. The storytelling, the history, the dog, all of it.
September 26, 2023
I’m so glad I listened to this on audio rather than reading it because I think it made it a totally different experience.
November 10, 2023
Listened to the audio. What a sweet book. Will definitely recommend it to my students. The dog was such a great character and I loved the setting of the Native American reservation during Covid.
September 9, 2021
Read it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 672 reviews