The Trouble With Tuck [Library Binding]

Theodore Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 11, 2008

A Girl's Best Friend

"No one can definitely say when Friar Tuck began to go blind. But the light probably began to fail for big Tuck long before any of us suspected it, and of course, being a dog, he couldn't very well talk about it. It didn't seem possible. Young, beautiful, so free-spirited, he had a long life ahead..."

Helen adored Tuck from the first moment he was placed in her arms, a squirming fat sausage of creamy yellow fur. And very soon Tuck returned her love. He faithfully slept on the rug beside her bed, guarded her against strangers, and rejoiced in their long walks together. So when Tuck began to lose his sight, Helen fought to be his eyes. She wouldn't let his blindness end his life or even limit it. Instead, Helen thought up a unique solution to Tuck's trouble, one that would keep Tuck free, proud, and hers forever.

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

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Moving and heart-warming."--The Horn Book Magazine
"A great animal story. . . . Don't miss it."--St. Louis Post-Dispatch


From the Trade Paperback edition. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

Tuck is a special animal, a pet who had saved his mistress's life on more than one occasion. But now it is Tuck who needs Helen's help. He's losing his sight, and she is determined not to let his blindness end his life, or even limit it.

Winner of the California Young Reader Medal and Iowa Children's Choice Award. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Library Binding
• Publisher: Paw Prints 2008-08-11; Reprint edition (August 11, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439521778
• ISBN-13: 978-1439521779
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,140,167 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Theodore Taylor has written several award-winning books. The Cay won the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award and was also made into a movie.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Trouble With Tuck, April 12, 2002

By 

Amber Tonge (Ishpeming, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Trouble with Tuck (Hardcover)

This was a wonderful book with an inspiring story of a little girl and her dog. I didn't think I would like it at first...I had trouble getting into it, but once I got started, I couldn't put it down! I would recommend this book to readers of all ages. It is a great story that can be enjoyed by everyone--especially pet lovers! Any pet lover would understand Helen and the lengths that she would go to in order to keep Tuck happy. I felt that this story had an original ending...there was a bit of foreshadowing to give hints to the ending, but other than that, I would've never expected it to end that way. I really liked this book, and I can really relate to it, because I have a yellow lab. I can't imagine what Helen was going through. I think it is also inspiring for children to know that they can make a difference, and all it took was one determined little girl to make a difference in that dog's life. Helen is a little girl with a big heart. This story almost seems like nonfiction, because it is very believable and could very possibly happen. It would be a good book for a child that is encountering a similar situation to read. It would probably be good for any pet lover whose pet is ill. It is sad, yet inspiring, with a wonderful ending. Once you pick up this book, you'll have to finish it before you put it down!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful, heartwarming book for animal lovers!, April 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Trouble with Tuck (Avon Camelot Books) (Paperback)

This is one of the best books I've ever read! It's about a girl who trains a German Shepherd, Lady Daisy, to be a guide dog for her blind yellow Lab, Tuck. I'm not just saying this because German Shepherds are my favorite breed- I just thought it was an exceptional book!

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars SEEING EYE GIRL, March 17, 2002

By 

Plume45 "kitka12345" (Westchester, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Trouble with Tuck (Hardcover)

In this touching story 13-year-old Helen dedicates months of frustation and hope to resolve a canine crisis: her beloved 3-year-old lab, Friar Tuck, is going blind. As the various "solutions" proposed by caring and intelligent adults all prove unacceptable to this desperate young lady, she
quietly decides to defy the System. Her goal: to keep her loyal companion alive, at home and free-roaming.

Based on an actual incident in California, this story reaches across generations and lovers of pets species, to remind us of the meaning of loyalty, devotion and creative conflict resolution--even tough love. You don't have to be a dog lover to appreciate Helen's pain, or applaud her defiance of grim reality. "It's never been done before," is no excuse! When the principals involved truly have Heart, there Is a way after all. For kids 10-15 and pet lovers of all ages.