The Dog of Knots [Hardcover]

Kathy Walden Kaplan (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

In Haifa, Israel at the onset of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, nine-year-old Mayim struggles to find her voice amidst the tumult of war. Having lost her father in the Six Day War, she seeks courage from her mother, from her great aunt, from the woman across the street, and an ancient stray dog. She finds, instead, that is they who need courage from her.ForeWord Magazine Book of the YearFinalist, Juvenile FictionAnti-Defamation LeagueIsrael Book Connections List"...a touching story of friendship, political turmoil, and hope."St. Louis Post-Dispatch"...a beautifully written first novel..."Association of Jewish Libraries

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...a touching story of friendship, political turmoil and hope. Sue Bradford Edwards -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 21, 2004

A poignant first novel from a talented new author. Vicki Arkoff -- Midwest Book Review, June 2004

From the Publisher

When Mayim's mother takes a job in northern Israel, Mayim must leave her best friend and much-loved grandfather in Jerusalem. But she quickly makes new friends in Haifa--Chaim, the butcher, Mr. Saludi, the Palestinian vegetable seller, Mrs. Koslovsky, her neighbor, and a mysterious stray dog that lives down in the wadi. No one seems to know anything about the dog except that he is very old and has been making the rounds in town for a long time. Everyone has a special name for him--Baily, Laffah, Adel, Havi. Mayim calls him Knotty, but he comes to none of those names.

This book is a middle grade novel and is set in Israel in 1973, during the time of the Yom Kippur War. It tells the story of Mayim, a nine-year-old girl who struggles to find her voice during the terrors of the war. Mayim, whose father died in the Six Day War, seeks courage from her mother, her great aunt, the woman across the street, and the ancient stray dog. She finds instead that they need courage from her

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 131 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802852599
• ISBN-13: 978-0802852595
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,453,638 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful & Imaginative Read for Everyone, April 28, 2004

By 

Dan Rosenfeld (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dog of Knots (Hardcover)

A perfectly wonderful read. I picked up The Dog of Knots, found myself transported in time and place, and, when my journey had ended, I felt enlightened and thankful.

This book touches upon so many emotions...the love of family and friends, the pain of loss, the anxiety of impending peril, and one remarkable unifying element...the simple and basic compassion for a tired old stray dog. Ms. Kaplan has shown us that humanity is both precious and everlasting, despite all of our religious and political differences.

Deep in symbolism, rich in characters, and a story that has you enchanted from page one. The perfect 'family' book.