Customer Reviews

Trouble with Tuck

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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!

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!

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.

I think that this is the best book I have ever read. It was carring, loving, cool, awsome, and rad. I will never forget this story.I think this book is #100% awsome. Is this story real? I think this book is awsome because It is the onley book I have read like this. Whare did you get the ida for the book? What other books have you written.This story reminds me of a dog that went blind saved a girl got hit by a car and gose for walks on her one.And every person in twon knows him.her name is Nana. Paige Crider

Whoever said that dogs were man's best friend was sadly mistaken. Sure, men can truly benefit from the friendship of a canine; but canines can also change the life of a female - drastically. Especially when his name is Friar Tuck, and it's up to you to protect him from the cruel world that has suddenly fallen upon him.

Helen was just nine-years-old when her father came home with a chubby, wriggling, golden furball. A Labrador that was just for her, to hopefully help her to come out of her shell a bit. As a child with coke-bottle glasses, braces, and frizzy hair, it was no wonder that Helen suffered from self-esteem issues, and it was her parents belief that a new friend to take care of would help her adjust to the world. Quickly christened Friar Tuck - after a character in Robin Hood - Helen doted on the handsome Lab. He awaited her arrival from school, spent all night standing watch over his precious girl, and even put his own life on the line two different times, just to rescue Helen from daunting, life-threatening situations. He was Helen's knight-in-shining-armor no matter what. Now, however, it is time for Helen to repay the favor, and act as Tuck's knight-in-shining-armor. His personal cheerleader. His guide through the dark shadows. Now 1956, thirteen-year-old Helen is forced to face the greatest challenge of all: coming to terms with Tuck's deteriorating eyesight. No one is quite sure when Tuck began to go blind, but the light likely began to fail for the three-year-old playful canine long before he crashed through the screen door while chasing some howling cats. From then on, Helen and her family are thrust into attempting to cope with Tuck's new handicap, and assisting him in adjusting to the new challenges he will surely be encountering. Helen, however, is affected the most. Tuck brought her out of her private bubble, and made her much more confident, and she is determined in doing the same for him. Together, Helen and Tuck work alongside one another to change Tuck's world forever as they know it, and turn the current tragedy into a triumph for the whole family.

As the proud owner of a blind cat, and a cat with one eye, I always find it fascinating to indulge in stories that discuss characters who are owned by animals with disabilities, which is why THE TROUBLE WITH TUCK instantly appealed to me. Theodore Taylor has done a wonderful job of weaving a story that is simple, and easy to follow, yet unique, and impossible to put down. Helen is a delightful character, whose compassion and determination to assist Tuck in leading a normal life is refreshing, and remarkable; while Tuck's ability to smile in the face of adversity, and face every new challenge head-on, makes the pair awe-inspiring and lovable. A must-have for animal lovers!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

This is a wonderful story of a yound girls love for her dog, and her devotion to making his life easier during some tring times. Helen has had Tuck since he was just a puppy, and she has loved him from the first moment she held him. When Helen and her family discover that Tuch is going blind Helen is scared for her friend and will do anything in her power to protect him and keep his with her.

Helen's love for Tuck is one of a kind, and it is the one reason I loved this book so much. I think this is a ownderful novel that was beautifully written for children, but has something in it that even adults could stand to learn. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if this one became a made for TV movie if it h asn't already.

The book I read was The Trouble with Tuck by Theodore Taylor. It is about a dog that is going blind named Tuck. The vet has many options of what to do with Tuck. But Helen, the girl, doesnt like any of them. So she comes up with her own idea. Will it work? The book didnt display truth when Helen lied to her parents. I liked this book because it shows you that you can do things your own way.

By C.H.

The book The Trouble With Tuck is a great story by Theodore Taylor she is telling readers that everybody has problems and can get through the problems without having tous only one or two solutions. The book was about a dog and its family. The family was adad, mom, 2 brothers and a girl named Helen. One day Tuck went through the screendoor! When that happened, Tuck was not in trouble only his whole life was in dangercause Helen was not going to let Tuck get killed by a doctor or a car. She shows braveryin the book and the author must of had a good heart when writig this book.If you want toknow the ending, read the book.

Helen is a girl who comes from a family who lived in the 1920's. Her father came home one after noon with a yellow Labrador, and gave the dog to Helen and said that the dog is hers. She named him Tuck. Tuck was Helens dog and it was all up to Helen to care for Tuck. After a few years, Tuck started having problems, and they found out he was going blind. Helen did everything she could in her power to help Tuck, she even went as far as trying to find a seeing eye dog for Tuck! This is a great story for anyone who loves dogs, and a great way to see how a child can care for an animal so much.

In The Trouble with Tuck by Theodore Taylor, Tuck bursts through the screen door chasing after some cats. He apparently never saw the door this one hot day in August. This is the start of the story of how Helen and Tuck fight the struggles that tie Tuck down and threaten to break his courage, until Helen comes up with a plan. Although I have never been to California, Theodore Taylor makes me feel like I have.

Helen is one of the reasons I love this book. Even though she is shy and ugly, she would give up anything to help Tuck. I feel that there is a special bond between Helen and Tuck, which cannot be broken. Helen comes up with a plan that cannot go wrong in her mind.

Helen's brothers, Luke and Stan, make fun of Helen and say she whistles a lot. Then Tuck comes into Helen's life, and things begin to change. Tuck seems to help Helen overcome her shyness, and Helen stops whistling. Tuck saves Helen's life twice, and now it's Helen's turn to help Tuck.

Mr. Ishihara sells vegetables at Montclair Park and encourages Helen to follow through with her ideas. He gives Helen a brilliant idea that will change her life forever. Mr. Ishihara is another reason why I liked The Trouble with Tuck because he is encouraging and helpful.

The characters in The Trouble with Tuck remind me of people who live with you and me. Stan and Luke make fun of Helen, just like your family probably does too. Theodore makes the characters seem so real. When Helen whistled, someone in her family would shout, " `Will you stop it, Helen?' or `Helen, go whistle in you room!' ".

I like many things about The Trouble with Tuck. I like how the author makes the characters seem like people I know and how the events in this book are well described. I also like how the author, Theodore Taylor, makes Helen and Tuck have a special bond. I enjoy reading how Tuck and Helen are best friends.

Although I like many things about The Trouble with Tuck, I dislike a few things. I don't like how the author jumps from present day to past and back again. This isn't my style because I like stories that are in order. Although Helen comes up with the plot, I don't like how Mr. Ishihara helps her to solve the plot. I also don't like how Helen's grades are starting to slip because she's focusing more on Tuck than school. Even though I dislike some things in this story, it's still a good book.

Theodore Taylor also wrote The Cay, a book about a boy that goes blind. When I found out that Tuck went blind, I immediately thought Taylor writes all of his books about blind people or animals. This, however, is not true. I just happened to read two books by him that have blind people or animals. Taylor now lives in California, where this story takes place. Some of the events the author has gone through have affected the book.

The main part of The Trouble with Tuck is about blind dogs and how to help them. If you like to help dogs, this would be a good book for you because the main focus is on Tuck, a blind dog. That's why The Trouble with Tuck is such a good book.

This book was written in 1981, which wasn't that long ago. The story could still take place today. If you had a dog that went blind, you could do exactly what Helen did, but I'm not going to tell you what Helen did because you have to read the book.

I love this book and encourage anyone to read it. Helen loves her dog from the second she sees him, and now he goes blind. Helen comes up with a plan that she thinks cannot go wrong, but can it? That's up to you to figure out the plot.