Protecting Marie [Mass Market Paperback]

Kevin Henkes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Relates twelve-year-old Fanny's love-hate relationship with her father, a temperamental artist, who has given Fanny a new dog.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

At the cusp of adolescence, 12-year-old Fanny Swann has reached a crisis point in her relationship with her artist-father Henry. Most recently, there was the betrayal. After years and years of having his daughter beg for a dog, Henry finally gives her a puppy. But when the precious pup starts chewing furniture and making puddles in the studio, Henry insists that the culprit be given away. But even before the betrayal there had been tension between Fanny and Henry. His need for orderliness and solitude was always in opposition to Fanny's need for companionship and clutter.

Months later, on Henry's 60th birthday, he brings his daughter a trained 3-year-old dog named Dinner. The replacement dog does not mend the broken trust. Rather, it underscores just how shattered Fanny's trust truly is. Kevin Henkes is sympathetic to the struggles of an aging, uninspired artist as well as the ache of a young girl who longs to believe in her father, but is afraid to take another leap of faith. When the source of their rift--Fanny's need for a dog--becomes the source of her father's inspiration, Henkes does not settle on a pat ending. Instead, he dares to enter the deeper complexities of the father-daughter relationship, exposing young adult readers to the emotional vulnerability of both parents and their children. School Library Journal Best Book, Publishers Weekly Best Book. (Ages 12 and older) --Gail Hudson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

A girl struggles to win the acceptance of her father, an aging artist; in a starred and boxed review, PW said that Henkes "affirms the resiliency of the creative spirit and the transcending power of love." Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140383204
• ISBN-13: 978-0140383201
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,206,922 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kevin Henkes is the creator of many distinguished books for children, including Kitten's First Full Moon (winner of the Caldecott Medal), Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, and Chrysanthemum. His novels for young people include Olive's Ocean (a Newbery Honor Book) and Bird Lake Moon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an amazing display of emotion..., June 20, 2000

By 

Michael J. Snider (Somerset, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Protecting Marie (Mass Market Paperback)

I never really thought I would get into this book. I just nonchalantly picked it up off of the bookshelf in the library. I began to read it. I was pulled in by the very real display of emotion, and the dialog was also very realistic. The characters were described so well, I could almost see them. The story line was also something that actually does happen. Dogs do get taken away because of destructive habits. As I read the story, It felt like it was really winter outside, and I imagined myself sitting in front of a warm fireplace, listening to it crackle, and drinking hot chocolate. Just like Fanny. I read the whole book in less than a day. I couldn't disconnect myself from it. I recommend it to anyone and everyone.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A heartfelt exploration of a father-daughter relationship, January 31, 2002

By 

Alison Dellenbaugh (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Protecting Marie (Hardcover)

Not being a big fan of "dog stories," I picked this book up from the library only because I admire Kevin Henkes' writing. I didn't even open it until the evening before it was due. As it turned out, I was hooked from the first paragraph and stayed up until midnight to read the whole thing. I was surprised how thoroughly the book brought me into into this 12-year-old girl's head and life, and how stirringly it depicted Fanny's strained relationship with her father. Every detail seemed perfect. The dogs in the story are terribly important to Fanny, and are important measures of her relationship with her father, but the problems in the relationship go deeper than that, and the new dog isn't a cure-all for the problems. I expected a simple story about a girl wanting a dog, but this book delivered much more. I had to return the book to the library, but I plan to buy a copy to keep.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars HDG Raniere Per.1, January 25, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Protecting Marie (Mass Market Paperback)

In the book, Protecting Marie, Fanny is a girl who loves dogs. When she gets her first dog, she immediately falls in love with him. Unfortunately, the dog soon gets out of control! His ripping of the furniture and making a mess finally set Fanny's father to give him away. Ever since, Fanny has looked at her father in a different way. When he didn't show up for him own 50th birthday party, Fanny was convinced he wasn't returning. Her mother kept positive about the situation and decorated the house for Christmas with Fanny. To Fanny's surprise, when her father came home, he brought the best gift Fanny could ever hope for. As she came downstairs, she saw a face staring back at her, a new dog! Although Fanny tried not to, she fell in love with her dog, Dinner, in every way. If even Fanny's father loved Dinner, then why is Dinner missing when Fanny comes home from school? When Fanny finds a note saying her father brought Dinner to their friend who had been admiring the dog, Fanny could only think of one conclusion, Dinner is gone...or is he?

I really enjoyed Protecting Marie!! It tells a story about a girl and her father, and the importance of friendship. This book keeps the reader wondering what will happen next. I was shocked when I found that Dinner was missing! The ending is very climatic and satisfying. I really liked this book and would definitely recommend this book to fathers, daughters, dog lovers, or anyone looking for a great realistic fiction story.