The Comeback Dog [Paperback]

Jane Resh Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up

Daniel, a Midwestern farm boy, finds a battered dog in a ditch and nurses it back to health, but is disappointed when the dog doesn't immediately respond to his gestures of affection.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Numerous soft pencil drawings greatly enhance the exceptionally gentle, poignant story." Horn Book

"Numerous soft pencil drawings greatly enhance the exceptionally gentle, poignant story." Horn Book Guide

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Jane Resh Thomas has written more than a dozen fiction and nonfiction books for young readers, including the highly praised BEHIND THE MASK for Clarion. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (December 18, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440412986
• ISBN-13: 978-0440412984
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #293,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A WELL TOLD TALE WITH GOOD LESSONS TO LEARN. Good dog story., September 24, 2011

By 

D. Blankenship (The Ozarks) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Comeback Dog (Paperback)

This small book was first published in 1981 and has gone through several publications and printings since that date. It is a rather short story and is targeted toward the 9-12 age groups although in many ways most 12 year olds may find the reading less than challenging.

This is the story of a small boy who lives on a farm in the upper mid-west. They have just lost the family dog, Captain who was fourteen when he passed on, which made him about five years older than the little boy in the story; he was the only dog the lad had ever known. Needless to day, the young man was having difficulties accepting the loss of his dog. He states very emphatically that he never wants another dog!

Shortly after this, as chance would have it, the young boy finds a very bedraggled dog hiding in the culvert on their farm. The dog is near death from starvation and has obviously been abused. Daniel, the young boy, nurses her (He names her Lady) back to health. Lady is a very nice looking English setter, but having been very badly treated (We never really find out what her background is), she has trouble accepting Daniel's friendship and has problems trusting Daniel, and humans in general.

Even though this is a rather short little books we find quite a number of very good lessons; hard lessons to be truthful, woven into the pages. Daniel has a lot of maturing and growing up to do. Will the dog be able to touch Daniel's life as he has touched hers? Can Lady replace Captain...should Lady replace the old dog? Are Daniel's expectations too high; are they realistic? The reader shall see.

The story moves along quite well. This author is a very descriptive writer and pays very close attention to details. Not only do we get a snapshot of a young man maturing and learning life lessons, we also get a good look at farm life and family dynamics.

This is a pretty easy read with a vocabulary which will challenge just enough to make it useful and the story flows fast enough to keep in quite interesting all the way until the end. I've read this work to several of the kids I work with and it has been very well accepted.

The black and white pencil drawings found throughout the book enhance the story very nicely.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Warm and Loving Book!, November 11, 2002

By 

Andrew (Holland, Pa USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Comeback Dog (Paperback)

Do you like books that make you feel happy and sad at the same time?? If so then this book is great for you. It is about a boy whose dog that dies and he finds a new dog that is about to die. He cares for the dog and feeds it until it is healthy. Then one day something happens to the dog and the boy is very worried. What happened to the dog? If you want to know then read the book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Warm and Loving Book!, November 11, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Comeback Dog (Paperback)

Do you like books that make you feel happy and sad at the same time?? If so then this book is great for you. It is about a boy whose dog that dies and he finds a new dog that is about to die. He cares for the dog and feeds it until it is healthy. Then one day something happens to the dog and the boy is very worried. What happened to the dog? If you want to know then read the book.