Hero Dogs: Courageous Canines in Action [Hardcover]

Donna M. Jackson (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 5 and up

Award-winning journalist and nonfiction author Donna M. Jackson takes an in-depth look at extraordinary canines and the role they play in the daily lives of humans. Featuring real stories from the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, along with historical and scientific facts and dramatic photographs, this book explores some incredibly heroic and heartwarming moments. From bomb-sniffing dogs to guide dogs to avalanche rescue dogs to therapy dogs, these true stories of amazing canines will engage and fascinate readers of all ages.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 2-5. Heroic and helpful dogs are the subject of the accounts in this timely photo-essay. Most of the book focuses on dogs involved in the 9/11 catastrophe, ending with a poignant account of a bomb-sniffing dog's death in one of the towers. Other sections introduce dogs that work in other ways--as companions, for example. The stories are all interesting, but many of the photographs are small, dark, or fuzzy, and the captions are in a typeface that is so small it isn't easy to read. The two-book bibliography is also disappointing. This isn't as nicely executed as Jackson's The Bone Detectives (1996), but it does provide a useful way to approach the events of 9/11 with children, and the furry, four-footed topic is likely to make it popular. Kathleen Odean
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Even cat people could like this book."   - Chicago Tribune

"Students will love hearing about the fine work that our beloved dogs do. They are, indeed, 'man's best friend.' "  - School Library Journal

A Junior Library Guild selection

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers; 1 edition (August 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316826812
• ISBN-13: 978-0316826815
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 10.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,249,133 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Get Real! That's what I love to do most--write about real people, places, and things. During my travels, I've met some fascinating people, from bug scientists to bone detectives. I've also had the privilege of meeting some of the heroes--and hero dogs--of September 11th.

This year, I'm excited to share two new books: WHAT'S SO FUNNY?, which explores the worlds of humor and laughter, and THE ELEPHANT SCIENTIST, which follows the remarkable work of Caitlin O'Connell, a researcher who studies African elephants at Etosha National Park in Namibia. Both are books I hope you'll find as fascinating to read as I did to write!

Visit: www.donnamjackson.net

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars it's about time, August 11, 2003

By 

pat costello (Valley Stream, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hero Dogs: Courageous Canines in Action (Hardcover)

we bought one of these for each of our neices and nephews. it is a great intro to a formerly (to most)unknown world. before 9/11, we probably didn't give much thought to the work that dogs do. Therefore we thought it was valuable for children to learn that dogs are functional members of our society, and to appreciate the work they do on our behalf. from seeing-eye companions to therapy, dogs of all sorts change the lives of people we know every day. the author did a great job of accurately researching and portraying each of the dogs in this book. We were happy to see this specialized segment of working animals highlighted in such an easy-to-read format.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real Heros, Real Dogs, April 14, 2004

By 

Karen Woodworth Roman "Happy Librarian" (DeKalb, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hero Dogs: Courageous Canines in Action (Hardcover)

Starts with the recent history of dogs helping humans (i.e. Balto, WWII, Sputnik II). Much of the book covers specific rescue dogs that assisted at ground zero. Later chapters highlight lifesaving, bomb sniffing, helping, etc. dogs. An interesting chapter discusses why Beagles are great at sniffing out contraband food for the USDA at airports. Photographs showing the dogs in action are excellent. Includes a list of resources and an extensive glossary. Karen Woodworth-Roman, Children's Science Book Review

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dynamite Dogs!, August 22, 2003

By 

"mickiw" (Raleigh, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hero Dogs: Courageous Canines in Action (Hardcover)

This is a beautifully written and illustrated combination of stories about some real heroes - dogs, their handlers, and their owners. You'll have tears of sadness at the loss of heroes like Sirius, and tears of joy at the exploits of others like Alette and Bullet. This is a great book for kids and adults. What a wonderful tribute to heroes, two and four-footed!