Nicki (American Girl Today) (Paperback)

by Ann Howard Creel (Author), Doron Ben-Ami (Illustrator)
Key Phrases: service dog, gentle leader, assistance dog, Miss Hollister

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Nicki Fleming is a natural with animals. When the chance to train a service dog comes up, she just can't say "no," even if it means taking on more responsibility and having to give up some of the things she loves doing. When Sprocket the puppy turns out to be a handful, Nicki has to muster all of her compassion to continue his training. She knows that one day Sprocket will make someone else's life better--and that makes all the difference.

The "True Story" section at the back of the book focuses on real girls who have experience training service dogs.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: American Girl Publishing Inc (December 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593692595
• ISBN-13: 978-1593692599
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #423,325 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What is it like to raise a service dog?, January 5, 2007

By	Jessica Swaim "children's book author" (Parker, CO United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Girls ages 8 and up will love this absorbing story of 10-year-old Nicki Fleming, who just can't say "no" to helping her mom raise Sprocket, a mixed breed shelter dog selected by a trainer for his potential to become a service dog. Already responsible for chores on the ranch, Nicki soon finds that raising Sprocket requires considerable time and patience, in addition to straining relationships both at home and at school. The lively plot abounds with conflict as it realistically portrays the ups and downs of raising a service dog. Will Nicki succeed in molding lovable, exuberant Sprocket into a dog who will someday assist a disabled person, or does Sprocket's destiny lie elsewhere? Readers will have to wait until Book Two to find out.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I fell in puppy love with this book!, April 18, 2008

A Kid's Review

Do you love puppy's, do you like skiing, do you like horseback riding if you do read this book! Nicki is a girl who cant say NO to anything. Nicki and her family live in a Colorado Ranch. She gets to train a puppy called Sprocket! Sprocket is adorable! But Sprocket takes up most of Nicki's time and there is a lot to do on a ranch. Like taking care of horses etc. This is the best book, I read it on my plaine ride to Utah and fell in puppy love! When I arrived in Utah all I talked about was the book I'd give it 10 stars if I could!

5.0 out of 5 stars Very educational and exciting story for young women., September 30, 2008

By	M. Vitek "MagTag" (Hilton Head Island, SC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Lovely story addressing many of the issues of young girls becoming women. Sheds light on the therapy dog program. Also on living in Colorado, and coping with feeling "different". Exceptionally good, as are most of the American Girl books.