A Girl's Best Friend (Paperback)

~ Harriet May Savitz (Author)
Key Phrases: white cane, Johnny Hayes, Grandmom Beatrice

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Loving her aging canine companion, Jessie, Laurie Moss, a young blind girl, fears that her father will have the ill dog put to sleep, until the vet recommends an expensive new medicine that Laurie must find some way to afford.

About the Author

Harriet May Savitz has had children?s books published by John Day, Thomas Y. Crowell, New American Library, Franklin Watts, Scholastic, and Avon Books. Her book, Run, Don?t Walk was an ABC Afterschool Special produced by Henry Winkler. She is a recipient of the PSLA Outstanding Pennsylvania Author Award-and contributor to the Chicken Soup Series. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 10 pages
• Publisher: Apple (December 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 059045708X
• ISBN-13: 978-0590457088
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,404,977 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Just Treat me Like 'm Normal!, March 10, 2002

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

Although written about a 12-year-old girl, presumably for other pre-teens, this book presents several serious themes and adult issues. Although blind, Laurie considers herself capable around the house and at school. But things start to disintegrate when she enters middle school: her 12-year-old dog is in pain; her father may lose his job; a school bully makes her life miserable; and a new teacher does not know how to treat her with dignity. Gradually watching her self-confidence erode, young Laurie faces fears of death--for her pet and her beloved grandmother.

The story gets a bit preachy in places, as the author tries to incorporate many valid ideas to educate the public at large re the handicapped. Can the sighted learn from the blind? It's a rather heavy tale at times, but offers hope for creative conflict resolution. The Handicapped must be
proactive in an assertive but non-aggressive manner, and not expect Society in general to read their mind. Will someone dear to Laurie die, as she learns valuable lessons of life?

4.0 out of 5 stars Great!, May 4, 2000

By	"bjsa" (Newfoundland, Canada) - See all my reviews

I found this book was really great with happy and sad moments Laurie Moss, who has been blind since birth, spends her time helping her dog, Jessie, since she's sick. She was determined not to give up on her bestfriend.