Book Review: Code Talker (Navajos, WW2)

Code Talker: The first and only memoir by one of the original Navajo code talkers of WW2, by Chester Nez (Penguin Random House, 2012, 320pp PB, $18) Review by Skye Anderson

WW2 Secret  Kept for Decades!

With the landing on Guadalcanal, the subject of the first chapter, one expects the rest of the book to be the same. However the following seven chapters tell of author Chester Nez' growing up Navajo in the American Southwest: if you are not familiar with the Navajo or other tribes, this will be eye-opening. From raising sheep and goats, living without indoor plumbing or electricity in the 1930s (to the 50s) and being forced to attend the strict government-run English boarding schools, you will become more educated but. . . .please don't put this book down because you expected something different. If you must, skip these chapters to get to World War 2 and the incredible gift Navajo Marines gave that was classified for so many decades.

Codes in WW2

Chester's job along with that of the other code talkers was to create a code so unique that it could not be broken by the Japanese, like all the other US codes had been. The Navajo Marines were fluent in both their native language and English plus the Navajo language was not a written language. So, their first challenge was to create a vocabulary and even to make up words that hadn't existed before. These Marines were so valuable to the war effort that these privates were assigned two "guards" (masquerading as buddies) who accompanied them even to the latrines.

Written in 2011, Code Talker is the memoir of a 90-year-old WW2 veteran - his entire life, beginning with chapters growing up as a Navajo and forced to attend boarding school to learn English, his enlistment into the Marines, his being one of the first 29* 'code talkers' to coming home and getting his college education on the GI bill, getting married, having kids (6 but three died), a divorce and finally, being able to tell his family and the world what he did in the war. The Navajo code talker project was finally declassified. 

Writing Style

It is simply amazing how detailed Chester's memory is about landing on four Japanese-held islands in the Pacific and fighting his way onto land, while teaming up with another code talker to relay radio messages from commanders to supply units to combat units. 

The book could be divided into sections about his life, and because the writing styles differ, mostly in detail. Of course, it is easier to communicate details about a battle - the sights, the smells, the sounds, the fear - than it is to relate "I did this, and then I did that, and then this happened" as in the rest of one's life.

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My favorite quotes:

p. 160 "After a while, when you've been fighting, everything tends to run together."

p. 172 "War makes buddies of strangers pretty darn fast, and we had become buddies." (True also of Basic Training and other life experiences.)

One of the gems you will learn:

We have all heard of the few Japanese soldiers who escaped into caves on fairly isolated islands, only to emerge decades later to find the war over. The author tells of the strong pride of the Japanese - so extreme that some soldiers would commit suicide rather than be killed or captured (Banzai, Kamikaze). And perhaps these 'hidden' soldiers wanted to escape such loss of pride . . . .

Added bonus: the entire Navajo Code is included!

*later increasing to 400

**another book on the same topic for the younger readers:

Book Review: Roses from the Crimson Rock (Vietnamese refugee family)

Roses from the Crimson Rock, An Illustrated Memoir of War, Escape and Healing, by Mina Ho Ferrante (Independently published, 336pp PB, $20.00, 2025) Review by Skye Anderson

A Quick Read You Can't Put Down

A family's saga in both words and pictures (and just the right number of drawings by various members of this large artistic family, generally two to a page which turns out to be nearly after each sentence). . . Vietnam over the decades as seen through the eyes of a 6-year-old (at times). . . Fear when escaping, sea pirates and hunger and thirst. . .and separation. Reunions a decade later, even within nuclear families.

The author chronicles the story of her father's escape from North Vietnam in 1953, the Communist hunts of 1968 and 1975, the large* family's escapes each time** and starting all over again and again - and the close calls. Being an artistic (for generations) and educated family, each member had to hide that and take on agricultural tasks but the illustrations are numerous and memorable, as drawn by various members of this very large family. The children each eventually 'farmed' themselves out to others and worked in exchange for room and board. And this from a formerly well-educated North Vietnamese family.

With plenty of cousins to play with always, and only slightly older aunts to give lessons and uncles to serve as role models, the author tell us of a society that cherishes the intergenerational family.

And finally with most of the family in the US, they all became (over)achievers, even the adults obtained a graduate degree. And many stayed in the artistic community.

Writing Style

Roses has much potential: I encourage the author to find an agent and hopefully a large publishing house. Only slight editing is needed. The novice reader to this genre of books might find the writing rather stilted but it reflects the background of the author, including her incredibly positive outlook on life and family. Two chapters are written in the voice of Ferrante's father, one chapter explains all the members of the author's fathers's side and another tells all about those on her mother's side.

*Typical families had 4-12 children and a family tree is included, as well as maps throughout. Illustrations tend to be water color or pen and ink (or charcoal)

**Much to my surprise, several members of the family who escaped to Thailand by sea wound up in a refugee camp in southern Thailand where I had been when I was teaching in the Thai education system.

Book Review: Where is Charlotte? (a story-song book)

Where is Charlotte? Or Where Is _________?, by Mark Gorkin (Archway Publishing, 2024, $14.99, 32pp PB) Review by Skye Anderson

Look! It's bird! It's a plane! No, it's Superman! 

It's a story book! It's a song book! No, it's a story-song book! 

And probably the first and only one of its kind, for more than one reason.

Author Mark Gorkin is a social worker who works with children and has honed his skills over the years, resulting in this story and book.

Shape-shifting Characters

The astute reader will notice the characters' appearances not only seem to change, they do change: the clothes they wear, the color of their hair. As the author explains, this was done on purpose, in order to appeal to all children of this age. Each reader is sure to find one book character who looks much like him or her, thus making it easier to accept the book's teachings.

And if the young readers don't already know the song Frere Jacques, it is a simple tune, easy to remember. The story text itself can be either read or sung to the tune of this French round.

The illustrations are colorful and simple yet they manage to convey the emotions of the characters very well. 'The child gets to play tiger and wolf and bear with a roar and a howl and a growl.

A Personal Book!

And perhaps the best part - you can personalize the book for your child. Merely substitute your child's name for 'Charlotte' and change the pronouns if need be.

Book Review: Outlawed (a CLSC selection, women [perhaps] of the Old West))(OT)

Outlawed, by Anna North (Bloomsbury, 2021, $17, 262pp PB) Review by Skye Anderson. A CLSC selection.

The Barren Women of the Hole in the Wall Gang

Ada's mom, a midwife, is teaching young Ada her trade until Ada marries but cannot get pregnant. If a wife doesn't conceive, she can be hung as a witch: that is why Ada's mom sends her to a convent. 

And, after that, she joins the Hole-in-the-Wall gang of women who ride and shoot and fight and steal, just like men. Ada, however, knows only medicine so has to learn the other skills - riding and shooting and fighting and stealing. It is the last one that causes such consternation, for Ada is not very good at that and . . . .

Written with quiet smooth eloquence - it's a good thing at that because the first part could have been boring: chapter one sets the stage for Ada becoming a midwife, living with her mother and sisters; the second covers her months at the convent.

Second Continuing Thread

Neither Ada, nor most anyone in the 1880s Wild West, knows what causes infertility or barrenness (on the woman's part) so our Ada buys medical texts to study and discover, if she can, the cause - clear to the last page. She sets out, when she can, to find the woman who knows the most about this condition - that search might be the impetus for a sequel or a TV series. However, bloody and violence scenes might result in an X-rated TV series - for mature audiences.

Alternative History of the Wild West

A gang of women, all barren, most chased from their hometowns, who steal for a living (robbing banks, etc.) and try to tame the Wild West. Outlawed

is a book you won't soon forget. The writing style keeps you enthralled, the suspense keeps you reading faster, and the unique plots (yes, plots) make you want to tell the world about Outlawed.

Book Review: It Came Upon a Midnight Shear (with Hank and Mocha, the dogs)

It Came Upon a Midnight Shear, by Allie Pleiter (Berkeley Prime Crime, $8.99, 304pp PB, 2022, book 3 of 3 [see* the review of book one here) Review by Skye Anderson

Do you ever purchase the same book again because it has a different front cover, and not realize it until reading the book seems like you have done it before? Have you ever read the same book three years later and just not reviewed it the first time (which is why I need to finish the review of a book immediately after finishing it, but still I sometimes don't) but you seem to know who the culprit is: this is an exercise in parsing out the clues** and something that could be fun to do - once.

Unique Among Specialty Murder Authors

There are whole series of murder mysteries built up around a cat (The Cat Who. . . ) or a dog (the Chet and Bernie books) or a baker or a bookstore owner or a yarn shop owner (this one!) and women read them voraciously even if they follow the same pattern with merely different details - and some are better written than others. Author Allie Pleiter is unique among such authors in that her books are good! 

Owner of Y.A.R.N., a yarn store*** in fictional Collinstown, Maryland, Libby has come back home after a divorce to her hometown but also to murders that she alone seems to be able to solve. Her very wealthy drug company Ex is also in town for the Christmas holidays (and would you believe his name is Sterling?) as is his mother, Bitsy, with her new flame. Also in town are four vicuna (woolly animals like alpacas) and Sterling's fraternity brother and business partner from Italy. Toss in some stolen vicuna yarn at $500 a skein and a stabbing murder of Sterling and we have trouble on our hands.

Even though Libby has solved a couple of murders previously, this time, she has a motive so the chief of police is not using her sleuthing talent. Nevertheless, she is still sleuthing on the sly and manages to get the townsfolk to help her.

And The Dogs, Of Course

Libby has Hank (on the cover) and Mocha the puppy makes his debut, both involved in digging up some evidence. But, of course, I would hope the next book in the series will have a major role for Hank.

Why Shears is Unique

People knit (crochet, needlepoint, etc.) for several reasons: to create something useful or merely beautiful, perhaps, or to calm themselves. The author says her character solves the problems of the world by knitting just as others do so by jogging. It is relaxing and akin to yoga. And Y.A.R.N., the yarn shop, is a place where friendships grow and everyone is welcome.

But, Who  Done It?

*Book Two: On Skein of Death

**This time the reviewer was wrong - she had not read this book before because the murderer is not whom she expected. Perhaps she was mixed up with the first two books in the series. But all that made for more fun!

*** for information on the name of the yarn shop, see the other reviews, including

Knit or Dye Trying

Book Review: Toby's Story (rambunctious Beagle puppy in an assisted living facility)

Toby's Story, A Dog's Purpose Puppy Tale: Will Toby Discover his Purpose? by W. Bruce Cameron* (Scholastic, 2019, 192pp PB, $6.99, with study guide questions, ages 8-12, grades 3-7, one of 10 puppy tales) Review by Skye Anderson

Toby is not your average energetic Beagle puppy because his feet itch so much he spends most of his time biting at them - it seemed to be grass or carpet that made them worse. Therefore, Toby was not your average energetic Beagle puppy. 

He lived in an assisted living facility as a therapy dog and all the residents loved Toby but what Toby really wanted was a family of his own and a girl (or boy) to play with all the time. After his feet started healing, he really became a too playful beagle but he lived in an assisted living facility and beagle-ness was just too rambunctious for the residents. You can't train a beagle not to be a beagle, though.

The issue for Toby was the director of the retirement home who said Toby was too rambunctious even though all the residents loved him for perking them up and getting them outside to play fetch.

Maybe training would calm Toby down. . . . 

And one of the residents had been a cross-country star but his grandson just wasn't. That is, until Toby started running with him.

But still, Toby wondered who his family was - everyone at the facility? The grandson?  The therapist's daughter who tried to train the Beagle?

Another of W. Bruce Cameron's heartfelt story told in his simple, lyrical style**. . . . and perhaps the best puppy tale ever!

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*Dear Bruce, I know you love dogs and want them well-trained in your books but I wish you would, in the future, use only positive-reinforcement methods. No more of this pushing down on a pup's rump to get a sit when just raising the treat above his head will automatically teach his rump to go to the floor in a sit (laws of physics). I would be happy to tell you more ways to teach dogs and pups using only gentle training ways - you are almost there, anyway, using treats as rewards. I would also get rid of "No" since that word is not something that can be done. And two-word cues are much more difficult than singletons.

**Some of Cameron's words as told by Toby who knows so much more than mere humans do:

"But Walt didn't chase the car, for some reason. That was my first hint that humans don't always understand how to have fun. They need dogs to show them." p23

"My sister had always been part of my family, but at that moment, I understood that things had changed. She belonged to a new family now. It was a little sad but it was right too. Dogs belonged to human families. Human families needed dogs." p28

"I was starting to understand that Mona's mom had two names: Mom to Mona, and Patsy to everybody else. It was confusing, but people are like that. They hardly ever do things the simplest way." p38

"A dog was meant to be with people; I knew that deep down. That's why we left our first families. Dogs and people were supposed to be together." p123

"Walt gave me a delicious bowl of cool water. Fabulous! He handed Tyler something yellow and sweet-smelling in a glass, since humans don't like to drink out of bowls. I don't know why." p157 (lemonade)

Book Review: Max's Story (Little Dog in the Big City)

Max's Story (Little Dog in the Big City), A Dog's Purpose Puppy Tale, by W. Bruce Cameron (Scholastic, 192pp PB, 2021, $8.99, ages 8-12, grades 4-6) Review by Skye Anderson

A New York Dog with a New York Personality and a New York State of Mind

Born in a New York City animal shelter, little Max learned early to have a big personality and to show others he was the boss - or try to. He lived with CJ (yes, that CJ from Molly's Story who was studying art in the big city for the summer on a scholarship). But she wasn't happy.

And Max also lived with a - cat! Who kept breaking all the rules of canine communication. A cat named Sneakers for always trying to sneak out the door into the hallway of the apartment building.

We just love Max getting used to New York - the subway in particular because he had to take the subway stashed in CJ's backpack. Rules, you know.

But Max is just a puppy and not completely housetrained so he has been given one week to move out of the apartment which belongs to a friend of CJ's mother (remember, the negligent mom). And CJ is not doing so well in art school.

"Will CJ be able to find Max a new home before we get to the end of the book?" I asked myself. "Here we are, chapter 12 already and there are only 16 chapters. . . .  "

Best for big city readers or those who like little dogs!

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"She [CJ] handed out her papers and stuck a few on the trees with brightly colored little tacks. It  was odd how humans - even CJ - seemed to like papers so much, even more than balls or  sticks. But that's just the way they are. Maybe one day they'll learn more about how to have fun." p150

"CJ delivered Duke to his apartment and talked to the owner there for a  while. Then we both went back home. She collapsed on the couch, holding me tightly, until I squirmed in her arms to remind her that snuggling was all very well and good, but I needed to breathe as well." p158

Book Review: Molly's Story: A Puppy Tale ("Every dog has a purpose")

Molly's Story: A Dog's Purpose Novel: A Heartwarming Tale of a Dog and Her Girl, by W. Bruce Cameron (Starscape, 2019, 108 pp, $6.99, ages 7-11, grades 4-6) Review by Skye Anderson

Heartwarming Tale of a Dog and Her Girl

Molly is a very special dog with a very important purpose: to take care of her girl, CJ, and keep her safe and warm and* happy. But it can be a hard job at times for a puppy.

In the Beginning, . . . .

I don't know how author W. Bruce Cameron does it -

begins each of the eight books I have read (so far) with the birth of our main puppy's litter, how he (mostly, boy puppies) can smell and feel, how much he loves his mother dog, how many brothers and sisters he has to step on or get piled on by, and on and on, yet Cameron writes each beginning, the same they may be, as if each was the first. 

Molly's story is full of surprises and may be just the best written book in the series of 10, with situation solutions, some of which you can guess and some solutions which will be perfectly handled yet not what you may have guessed and others you simply can't guess. And Molly's story may be the most adult** book of the series so parents can read along and chat about Molly too.

Molly's Story

Told by Molly herself, with descriptions of things we humans know about but dogs don't understand*** make for more fun guesses by the reader. For example, there are bouncy, jumpy animals that I couldn't identify until many pages later when they were named.

CJ lives with her mom who is not the world's best mother to put it mildly. Her friend Trent gets a new puppy, and CJ and Molly choose each other. Only one problem: CJ's mom does not like animals so Molly has to go into hiding in the basement and it's so hard for a young lonely pup to be quiet.

Molly's story may just become your favorite Puppy Tale, too!

*"Helping CJ be less sad was my most important job. I just wished I were better at it. Sometimes the bad feelings felt as if they were buried so deep inside her they'd never go away." (forgot to write down the page number)

**truancy (skipping school), single mom who goes away for weekends and takes Molly to the pound, dog training, petty theft and its consequences, being neglected by your mom, finding a talent CJ didn't know she had, a little bit of science and medicine, etc.

***"And the the two humans did more of that talking. I simply did not understand why people thought it so important to spend so much time making noise. Even dogs (most of the time) only bark when there is a reason to bark. Maybe people do it because they are just not that good at playing. Even CJ didn't like to chase wrestle the way Rocky [Molly's littermate] did." p186

And more wonderful reading adventures by W. Bruce Cameron that are reviewed here:

Ellie

Bailey

Shelby

The Dogs of Christmas

A Dog's Perfect Christmas

A Dog's Purpose

Book Review: Shelby's Story (middle school, dogs)

Shelby's Story: A Dog's Way Home Tale, by W. Bruce Cameron* (Scholastic, $16.99HB, 2020, 208pp, with study guide questions for ages 8-12, grades 3-7, one of 10 puppy tales) Review by Skye Anderson

Perhaps the best of the puppy novels, Shelby's Story is a bit different. Instead of taking one of the dogs in the A Dog's Purpose 'trilogy' and expanding (and repeating parts of) that puppy's life experiences, Shelby is a more real-to-life account of the life of Shelby, a shelter dog who becomes one of the three dogs (Bella*) to play the lead in A Dog's Way Home.

And the process of making this dog movie.

The movie that Shelby stars in was co-written (as was the book) by W. Bruce Cameron (and his wife) so Bruce plays a regular part in Shelby's book and, would you believe, Shelby thinks he is not the smartest brick on the wall! Can you imagine writing a book, writing the screenplay, and observing the filming of the movie - and having the freedom to make the author/screenwriter (you) look rather inept in the book about the filming: what fun you could have with making fun of yourself!

From Rags to Red Carpet**

Shelby, born to a breeder, escapes the backyard with her sister and has to live off the land. Then she finds herself in an animal shelter, then chosen by Trainer Teresa (and Bruce Cameron, writer, and Cathryn Michon, director) to be in a movie!

But mostly this is a book about the human-animal bond, as told by the canine (she 'gets' some things late and other things all wrong but they are all humorous), the bond between Shelby and Teresa. You will not learn much about the story of Bella except that she digs someone out from being buried in an avalanche and shares a meal with a Big Kitten (cougar?) but that alone may spur you on to reading the book, A Dog's Way Home, and seeing the movie.

Although I loved the relationship between Trainer Teresa and Canine Shelby, and though Cameron usually got the training method right - positive reinforcement - he did take some shortcuts that the trainer in me would never take, as with his other books.

*plus Cameron has written an entire puppy tale about Bella!

**Shelby, who makes the incredible journey from rescue to red carpet learns that "Bella" isn't her most important role. Shelby's most important role is being Teresa's dog! p108

Favorite Passages:

I knew about darkness It became dark every night in our yard, and sometimes a little cold. The thing to do with darkness was to cuddle close to someone warm and wait for it to go away. p25

People had ways I did not understand to fill up their pockets with treats. It was probably the best part of being a human person. p69

For a long time, the only job I had was filling my stomach. Now I had bowls of food every day, but even more important, I had Teresa and I had Training. I had work to do and a person to do it with. A dog needs both of those things. (forgot to write down the page number)

. . . Megan had come to be my first person, and she'd taken me to my pen with bowls of food and a roof overhead. There I wasn't hungry or lonely anymore. That had been a good place. But it wasn't a home.      I hadn't understood that then. But I knew it now.     My home was here, where I had a person and a pack and a job to do. Even when Teresa and I left to do Training in other places, we would always come back here. p186

Book Review: Gus (foster puppy, dog walking and training in middle school)

Gus, by Ellen Miles (Scholastic, $4.99, 2015, 96pp PB, ages 7-10, one of 71 titles in The Puppy Place series) Review by Skye Anderson

Two Intersecting Stories

A dog walker's club of four girls is in turmoil because all of them want to be president. 

A mom of one of the girls who is not a dog person - that is, until Gus arrives as an energetic foster puppy and, in order to decide who can adopt Gus, Lizzie, brother Charles and Baby Bean decide to have an essay contest to select the best family for Gus.

A surprise ending, which the astute girl (or boy) reader can guess. . . . 

Lizzie's Family Fosters

Lizzie's family has one puppy and fosters other puppies until they find the best forever home for them. But who appears on the scene but Gus who steals Mom's heart, surreptitiously. So, Houston, we have a problem. Can the family continue to foster dogs if they adopt Gus? Not likely plus they are in the process of selecting Gus' family even as we speak.

Author Ellen Miles tries to instill in the reader gentle, positive reward training tips and she succeeds to a certain extent, having written at least 40 books, among them the third in the Puppy Place series -  Shadow

and Rascal, number four in the Puppy Place series.

Book Review: Bailey's Story (middle school, dogs)

Bailey's Story: An Irresistible Tale of a Dog and His Boy, by W. Bruce Cameron* (Scholastic, $5.99PB, 2016, 208pp, with study guide questions for ages 8-12, grades 3-7) Review by Skye Anderson

In Bailey's Story, we meet Golden Retriever Bailey as a little pup, still with his litter. Through various adventures, he lands with his boy Ethan and tells us about his cat, his farm, and training his family to let him sleep with Ethan. And yet, even though Bailey has found his person, he asks himself why. What is his purpose in life?

Bailey is telling his story which is part of the book for older teens and adults (16 and up), A Dog's Purpose, reviewed here.

Author W. Bruce Cameron tells of the soul of a dog through four or five different dogs trying to discover his/her purpose in life with regards to humans, especially one boy (Ethan). Bailey's story comprises the majority of the book and seems to be condensed, rewritten or mostly taken verbatim from Purpose. This way, older siblings and parents can read about Bailey at the same time as middle-schoolers can read about him, then go on to Ellie and other puppies.

Each chapter in Bailey's book, though not titled, has the silhouette of a Golden, while chapters in Purpose have silhouettes of a puppy or a dog in a different position - all of which makes it fun to guess at the meaning of that chapter.

We read Purpose in a couple of days, followed by Bailey's story and surmised the above so it was hard to finish, knowing what was coming next, especially if it was a scary or sad incident. But, not to worry - all turns out best in the end. We think we may read the next Puppy Tale to see if we guessed Cameron's MO (modus operandi) correctly, and if we did, we may skip some or all of the others. After all, Cameron has plenty of great reads that we haven't read yet. However, this is still a great series for adults to read as their middle-schoolers read the puppy tales.

What Does Bailey Do?

Bailey takes care of his boy: notices when he is sad and nose bumps him for comfort. Bailey also loves games like Lick the Plate, This Ball is Mine, Tug on the Sock, and Rescue Me, and he really tries to understand humans and other animals. When Hannah brought over some brownies in a basket, Bailey ". . . sat down, trying hard to look as nice as possible so she'd hand the basket over to me." (p 105) And when winter finally comes to Michigan and Ethan goes sledding, Bailey writes, "I stared in astonishment. I never knew that the boy could move like that! Instead of walking or running, stiffly upright on two legs, he was zooming close to the ground. I tore down the hill after him, barking with excitement and surprise." (p 71-2)

*Another book in this series is Ellie's Story, reviewed here

Book Review: A Dog's Purpose: A Novel for Humans (dogs, movie)

A Dog's Purpose: A Novel for Humans, by W. Bruce Cameron (Tom Doherty, 2012, 335pp PB, $9.99, ages 16 and up) Part 1* of 3. Review by Skye Anderson

Every Dog Happens for a Reason

Everyone now knows this classic movie but have you read the book?** It is just as good, albeit a bit bittersweet. Your teens will read A Dog's Purpose at night rather than watching a movie on Netflix. I promise. It's that good!

As we age, whether we are college-age or more the age of  our grandparents, we wonder what our purpose in life is. So do dogs. And A Dog's Purpose tells the story of one dog who discovers his purpose in life. Several times, as he (she) ventures into different bodies but always the same wonderful soul and man's best friend (or a boy's best friend).

A Good Boy

Written from the dog's point of view, nearly everything makes sense and human teens can surmise what is happening and why, while the dog can't always. Little readers, not so much either. Even the sad parts are made sweet by the mind pictures of the relationship between Bailey Dog and Ethan Boy as they both grow up. 

And Funny!

Downright funny in places ("We all barked jealously . . . and then we barked because we were barking." p.36) and sweetly sensitive in others ("I sat down, looking as attractive as possible so she'd  hand over what was in her basket." p107). And if you can read only one chapter to start with, read Chapter 9, in which Bailey learns a lot but mostly what not to do.

But try reading A Dog's  Purpose with dry eyes, even if you know the story - the writing is so magical - the boy needs his dog and Bailey knows it. You will  not be able to put this book down, a new classic.

Mostly Bailey is a Good Dog, but, as a puppy he wasn't always, until he learned what he was supposed to do. 

Toby with his short life, Bailey helping Ethan grow up, Ellie whose job is in SAR with two handlers util he injured his nose on a search and had to be re-careered, and finally - Buddy.

If this book doesn't make you want to hug your dog (or get a dog) then I'm not a book reviewer!

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* part 2 is A Dog's Journey, part 3 is A Dog's Promise, though the author doesn't refer to the trilogy as sequels but rather a continuation

** with study guides for most of his books (for intermediate and secondary grades, some of which are 66 pages), you know they are stories to keep and re-read. A few even come with activity kits.

Other Cameron dog books reviewed here:

Ellie's Story

The Dogs of Christmas

A Dog's Perfect Christmas

Book Review: Vets and Pets (veterans)

Vets and Pets: Wounded Warriors and the Animals that Help Them Heal, by Dava Guerin and Kevin Ferris (Skyhorse Publishing, $21.99, 232pp HB, 2017)

All the Vets and Pets stories are about pets (and vets) but some of the animals are more than pets: they are service dogs. . . .

The first half of the book features service members and their dogs (all branches are represented eventually- combat tours and not) while the second half focuses in on other animals, a rare book to do so but stories we should be aware of.

We loved the chapter titles many of which reflected the branch of service and a quote about the relationship with their pet: Chapter 5, The Army Captain, Isaac Has Been Waiting for His Special Person

The Writers

Authors Dava Guerin and Kevin Ferris are experienced authors and also experienced at working together on a book. However, each chapter appears to have been written by committee in that, though it will progress chronologically for the most part, it really seems to jump around too much. This has helped us to decide not to read other books by the same authors. For example, it seems we are reading about a relationship rather than experiencing it.

The astute reader might do well to skip Chapter 16, the final chapter. Its purpose is to summarize how to be a good animal caretaker but the veterinarian who spends a few pages on training mixes up positive reinforcement training and traditional force-based methods.

Simply the Best!

However, Chapter 8, "The Navy Dog Handler," is almost the best chapter this reviewer has ever read that describes the close bond between dog and human.

And The Other Half

Cats and birds of prey and horses and pigs! All can help veterans just as veterans can help rescued animals be they cats or birds of prey or horses or pigs. Pets for Patriots* is an organization that works with animal shelters and veterans who want pets, though a couple of other rescues are mentioned (TADSAW for one). 

Veterans can also spend a couple of weeks at or volunteer at an animal sanctuary: both benefit.

And The Theme is. . . .

They don't have to be dogs, though: this is perhaps the theme of Vets and Pets. We think of dogs first because they are the first animals we think of when we think of service animals plus they are often cuddly which can be important for veterans who don't have family or close friends but mucking out horse stalls and riding horses who don't cuddle can be just as healing.

*and our local (Maryland) service dog organization for veterans merits a mention also, in the first chapter - Canine Warrior Connection and its veteran founder, Rick Yount

Book Review: Tales of Al, the Water Rescue Dog: The Making of a Super Athlete (dog lifesavers)

Tales of Al, the Water Rescue Dog: The Making of a Super Athlete, by Lynne Cox (Knopf, 2022, 224pp HB, $27) Review by Skye Anderson

I've had this book for a while. It's a fairly small book so I thought I could get through it quickly, between reading the hard stuff that I am required to read. I did, but, rather than passing it on like I do many of the books I review, I first started memorizing the page numbers with quotes to remember but when that list became too long, I resorted to dogearing (no pun intended) the lower right corner of a page and when I had too many of those, I broke down and started to highlight: that meant I was going to keep the book. And I only keep the really good ones that I want to read again.

Tales of Al is a lovely read about an Italian school for 'lifesaver dogs' that are known world-wide via Youtube. Just google on Italian, water dog, lifeguard, lifesaver or even Croatian water dogs.

A really good book is one whose review I start writing before I have finished reading it. Tales of Al is one such book.

Al is a big dog, an Italian water dog* who is being trained to drop out of helicopters and offer himself  to a panicky swimmer to hold on to and then swim the human to shore. The training is long - many months, but these special dogs love the water and, when certified, also love their jobs. They swim out to struggling swimmers, then circle them until the swimmer grabs onto a handle on their canine life jacket. Some dogs can even tow multiple swimmers into shore at the same time.

The Book and the Author

You will learn as much about the scrumptious Italian cooking as about the dogs' training.  In short, the author ventures over to Italy to observe the dogs' training to become lifesavers, but especially a Newfie named Al. It is hit or miss for most of the book though since Al is too exuberant at times. Will he pass the final exams or will he have to spend another year in training?

Author  Lynne Cox is a long distance swimmer and motivational speaker with a lovely writing style. I can't wait to read Grayson about her adventure swimming with a lost baby whale.

*Other breeds in this profession often include golden retrievers and labrador retrievers for their love of the water and calm dispositions

Book Review: The Girls of Skylark Lane (YA) (twins and friends, and a pet rat)(OT)

The Girls of Skylark Lane, by Robin Benway (Harper Collins, 272ppHB, ages 8-12, grades 3-7, $19.99, 2024) Review by Skye Anderson

Off to a slow start, but keep with it: it will be worth finishing! And, after a couple of mentions (hints), the crisis at the end was not a surprise, but how a couple of the characters deal with it is rewarding. It is also surprising to the extent the plot accelerates perhaps too fast towards the end.

Skylark Lane? You've got to be kidding! That sounds like a book for teen girls in the 30s or 40s but the social situations are certainly 21st century issues. 

Modern Day Plots and Characters

We have middle-school twin girls (and the chapters alternate), one of whom is growing apart from the other because she is growing up faster. We also have a friend whose father passed away last year so she lives with her grandmother, we have a girl whose parents are separated, a girl whose parents are divorced, a girl whose mother is a TV star, a little sister, parents of the same sex, a girl who makes a mint selling lemonade, a cute boy, adoption - what more could you ask for in a modern-day novel for pre-teens? But, not to worry: it is not too much (for most of the book).

The neighborhood girls have a softball team and practice every day. So far, no games though.

The twins and their dads have just moved to a 'burb of LA and one of them is being bullied. They have separate bedrooms (a great idea!) and I love those names - Agapanthus (Aggie) and Jacaranda (Jac). They definitely are besties and their dads are to die for. One is Dad and the other is Papa, together making the Dads. 

And Don't Forget the Plots!

It's all about an unusual family that you will grow to love. It's all about the usual twins-growing-up and -apart crises - being cranky, is one of them. Stubborn, another.

At the end, you will hope that this is the first of a series!

Book Review: Christmas Cats (children's book, cats gone wild!)

Christmas Cats, by Amy Pulliam (BookLogix Kids, ages 4 and up, $24.99, 2024) Review by Skye Anderson

For Cat Lovers - And Dog People, too!

Author Amy Pulliam knows cats! She is also the author of Cooped Up Cats: she has penned a couple of really fun and funny books. 

Who knew cats could be so much fun? Of course, illustrator Vince Ortiz has a lot to do with the feline antics: each page has so much to see and talk about!

The Plot

Mo is a Sphinx cat, hairless, who lives with a real life scaredy cat, Tiger, with the scary name. They realize it is almost Christmas and that means the cousin cats will come for a visit and bring their chaos-causing Duke with them. Then, who appears but Dog Pippin who is caught by the cat traps the cousins set. The crashes and other wild antics depicted in water color will keep your interest no matter what your age as you spend tons of time on each page with all the activity and plays on words.

I can't wait to read Cooped Up Cats! Do you think the inside front cover will have Meow's while the inside back covers have Meow's and Woof's like Christmas Cats?

Book Review: The Girl Who Cried for the Earth: A Story of Hope, Healing & Possibilities (OT)

The Girl Who Cried for the Earth: A Story of Hope, Healing & Possibilities, by Bodhi Simpson (2nd Tier Publishing, 2024, 68ppHB, ages 8-18, $19.99) Review by Skye Anderson

Can you tell a book by its cover? Sometimes yes, sometimes no, but it is the first clue you have and whether or not the book will draw you in is often foreseen by its cover. This cover is highly symbolic and fairly pessimistic as far as the illustration goes so, thankfully, the subtitle resurrects it, along with the calming blues and greens - and the flowers.

A young girl is in love with the world and all its beauty but as she grows up she notices the pollution, the waste, and many other facets of life that are negative.

As she falls asleep one night, the jaguar, the owl, the buffalo, the earth, and the dove, are beings that the girl encounters in her dreams and she wakes up refreshed with ideas of how to help the earth and its inhabitants heal and grow in peace and beauty. Several pages in the back are devoted to cognitive thinking and imaging exercises and projects to do to accomplish leaving our earth a better place than we found it. Inspirational, creative visualization will help the reader not only help others but help the earth as well. These words of wisdom will give you inner peace, as found through the poetic words and meaningful illustrations.

Book Review: The Crocodile Choir (OT)(Sing, crocodile, sing!)

The Crocodile Choir, by Nico Altamirano (MaoMao House, 2024, 56ppPB, $11.99, ages up to 10 years) Review by Skye Anderson

Cody is the cutest little crocodile you ever did see but he has a problem - he is not like the other crocodiles: Cody wants to sing! The other crocodiles say, "That's not what we do."

So Cody floats on down the Nile, searching for someone to sing with that he doesn't scare off because he's a crocodile, albeit a cute one. 

What would you do if a friend rebuffs you? Would you turn the other cheek and believe you could find another friend? That's what Cody did - he found a whole chorus of jungle animals singing away but when he wanted to join them, he heard, "That's not what you do."

So it happened again. And that chorus of elephants and zebras and giraffes and hippos and lions and monkeys were so cute!

But poor Cody! Would he ever find some animal friends to sing with? What do you think?

Singing is like a lion roaring or a bird soaring or a monkey jiving and hooping and hollering - because that's what they do.  But what does a crocodile do other than take naps and float? Does everyone have a special gift? Read The Crocodile Choir to find out!

Book Review: Tomas Returns to School (OT)(children's book)

Tomas Returns to School, by Xiomara Gallego-Bernard (The Inspired Fit Mama, $14.99, 5-8 years, 36ppHB) Review by Skye Anderson

It is almost the end of vacation and of trips to the zoo and of playing with friends for Tomas, a sensitive boy about to enter first grade for the first time (last year he went to kindergarten which had small classes with his friends). He has a lot of questions for his mom, being scared and nervous but she knows exactly what to say. 

What if. . . ?

He will have a new teacher and will meet new kids and worries about so many new things. His mom knows what to do and even has a new idea for him to try. 

They talk it out and practice breathing exercises. Mom tells Tomas that she felt the same way when she went to school for the first time but she has faith in Tomas and he will succeed and even have fun.

Sensitivity is a Superpower!

And he did. But what really helped him was helping another boy be brave on his first day. They shared the breathing exercises and, as it turned out, became best friends. 

Tomas found out that he, a sensitive boy, does have a superpower!

Book Review: On Safari to See the Animals and the Birds (OT)(guess the zoo animal/bird)

On Safari to See the Animals and the Birds, by Sandy Hill (Independently published, $11.99, 2018, 36ppPB) Review by Skye Anderson

On Safari to See the Animals and the Birds is a fun and challenging learning experience not only for kids but also for parents and families - and big kids, too!

Eight animal photographs that the author took appear along with cute cartoon animals and plants - each one to a page along with a page of their footprints (tracks), asking you to guess their identity.

A page full of interesting facts about an animal leads you to guess who it is before you turn the page to find the answer - a whole page devoted to the animal (bird) plus another with its tracks. Then, on to the next. 

Many animals and birds are too difficult to guess correctly so this book serves to educate: the more you read and participate, the more you learn.

And there are blank pages for you to draw animals or their tracks - or yours!

This is a book to take with you!

A family of raccoons, a male peacock in bloom, owls with spectacles, tigers with stripes all help you learn how to tell a cat-like animal from a bird from a dog-like animal.

Book Review: Leyni's God Adventure (OT)(a wish come true - to help others)

Leyni's God Adventure, by Sandy Hill (Create Space, 2018, $11.99, 28ppPB) Review by Skye Anderson

Do you remember your dreams from when you were five years old? Did you want to be an astronaut, a cowboy, a superathlete, or did you want to save the world, teach the world, feed the world, cure the world? Dreams of saving the world by feeding all the children, by building enough schools and clinics for all the little children of the world?

What did your parents say when you told them? Chances are that they smiled and changed the subject, right? But what if you really wanted to do what God talks about? What would you have given if your parents had listened, really listened, and then helped make your wish come true? 

It happened to Leyni! 

Her wish was to give food and water to the poor. So, her parents, brother and sister, and grandparents Poppy and Grammy helped think of ideas to make money and they loved one idea. So they all set to work and the proceeds came in by the bushels full! Soon they had enough money for a water well in Sudan!

And Then, . . . 

Leyni had another great idea! To buy animals like chickens who lay eggs and sheep to provide wool. And that sounds like another book!

Bonus: Just like Heaven, Just Believe, Leyni's God Adventure also comes in a DIY version, with no pictures so the young reader can read, imagine the pictures and then draw the pictures themselves. How cool is that?

Book Review: Heaven, Just Believe (children's book)

Heaven, Just Believe, by Sandy Hill (Create Space, 2017, 28ppPB, $11.99, ages 5-9) Review by Skye Anderson

From the prolific author and grandmother Sandy Hill has come another children's book for the curious (and what child is not curious?): Heaven, Just Believe, for those children who wonder who goes to heaven, what do they do, and, basically, what it is like. Their beloved grandmother has recently passed away but, before she did, she visited Heaven and wrote about her visit in her diary which she saved for her grandchildren, Elliot and Ashley. The children miss the grandmother so much that they would love to visit her, but how can they?

Questions About Heaven

Elliot and Ashley have many questions about heaven such as: Do they dance in heaven? People? Angels? Do they giggle? Do dogs go to heaven? All these and more are questions the children have if they could visit but if they could visit they would learn the answers. The children believe - believe so hard, but can they learn about heaven without going there?

Bonus

Sandy Hill has another version of Heaven out, too, this one with no pictures so the young reader can read, imagine the pictures and then draw the pictures themselves. How cool is that?

Book Review: Above the Clouds (when a loved one passes away, for children)

Above the Clouds, by Kris Nulf (Book Baby, 2023, $14.95, 34ppPB, ages 5-7, kindergarten to grade 2) Review by Skye Anderson

Illustrator Carrie Knox has created the cutest little girl you ever will see. But the little girl is not happy - her mother has passed away and she misses her and wants to see her and be with her - she has many questions to ask. She is so sad that the pages are black and white.

The little girl's dogs try to make her feel better with kisses as she falls off to sleep (we even see the sheep she is counting). In her dream, way up there above the clouds, her mother appears with wings and the little girl is so happy the black and white pages turn to color. Then, amid the smiles, a rainbow appears to take the little girl back home again.

When she awakes in the morning, the little girl remembers her mother with joy and promises to do good and be happy.

Author Kris Nulf has written a book in rhyme that is simply perfect in every way! This book is for you and for anyone who has lost someone and misses them.

Book Review: In Pharaoh's Army: Memories of the Lost War (Vietnam)

In Pharaoh's Army: Memories of the Lost War, by Tobias Wolff (Vintage, 240pp, 1995, $12) Review by Skye Anderson

No, not a book about a pharaoh in Egypt. This reviewer always needs to figure out why a book was titled as it was. . . . and remains at a loss here, as well as about 'the lost war' (except that we lost the war in Vietnam rather than winning it?).

The emotions Pharaoh's Army brings up are numerous and unsettling - author Tobias Wolff does an excellent job of describing Basic Training at Ft. Jackson, SC, and describes travel and waiting in the Army, particularly on the way to a war overseas ("Hurry up and wait"). Wolff is perhaps this generation's Jack Kerouac or Holden Caulfield (he speaks in raw language to some 'revolutionaries' but not to all, to some grown-up hippies and conscientious objectors but not all).

My Vietnamese language came back and most of the tones, more of the vocabulary, thanks to this highly-respected memoirist.

Thirteen Chapters

At first, thinking they were 13 short stories, I soon found out differently: the first two chapters are highly unique in their juxtaposition and explanation. But, why thirteen?

Fiction or Non-fiction?

But is this a book of fiction or non-fiction? A memoir is a little of both. And there are not yet enough books out about Vietnam or Iraq or Afghanistan and, I wonder, are more of them written by officers or enlisted personnel? Begun over there or not until the soldier comes back and has time on his hands?

Can anyone write a book about their experiences in the military or in a combat zone? Perhaps, since each person's experiences are unique yet they all share so much in common just by being in the military plus since the military transfers its people so often, they can run into each other a few times in just one career. Many experiences are shared, just not at the same time.

So, yes, you can write about your time in the military even if it wasn't heroic, simply by embellishing a few experiences as author Tobias Wolff did. It helps to meet your buddies as civilians and shoot the breeze, however.

Unsettling

Wolff is the brilliant kid who doesn't know where he is going so he lands in a relationship that is caustic. He also lucks out in Vietnam and befriends a meal. And, my, how wars change. There was so much more freedom in Vietnam than in Iraq or Afghanistan if you consider what one individual can do or where one can go - alone. And what he can drink.

And, yes, there was a dog in it.

Book Review: 'Twas the Year of the World Series (OT)(Children's book)(2021 Atlanta Braves)

'Twas the Year of the World Series, by Debbie Clark (Mascot Books, $19.95, 2024, 34ppHB) Review by Skye Anderson 

Souvenir to Save!

What a wonderful memory if you love baseball or if you are an Atlanta Braves fan or if you want to know every little detail about the 2021 World Series and the team that won it, after so long. 

Incredible Illustrations!

We knew we would love 'Twas the Year of the World Series when we saw the crowds - on the inside front and back, on the cover, and on all but three pages of the book itself. Some views of the crowds were fuzzy, out of focus, because the eye is drawn to someone close to the 'lens' rather than in the background. The faces are grey and orange and white and black blobs but there is no question that they are faces in the crowd. And several pages are reminiscent of a scrapbook.

The Story - Six After Twenty-six

Every big name player down through the ages, every game of the 2021 World Series itself - all six with the Astros, and winning 4 to 2 games. What a way to celebrate and keep this striking souvenir children's book.

Book Review: How to Defeat Bully Brain: OCD Detectives (OT)(Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)(children)

How to Defeat Bully Brain: OCD Detectives, by Ella Kim (Gatekeeper Press, 2024, 76pp, ages 8-12, $10.99PB) Review by Skye Anderson

Hot on the heels of Volume 1, A Story about OCD* and starring a boy, comes Volume 2, OCD Detectives starring a girl, written by highschool student Ella Kim.

What is OCD?

OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is a condition whose definition (with examples) appears on page 66 at the end of the book.

Now that the reader has read volume 1and knows a bit about OCD we know that Bully Brain is a voice in your head (often secret) telling you to do things that may interfere with your best life. What can one do about a Bully Brain?

Along comes Scarlett, a detective who founded Defeating Bully Brain Organization. Her job is to find OCD candidates, teach them a technique to overcome their type of OCD and send them on their way to find others to teach but some students are harder than others and take longer - we are all different.

First, we have Alice with Dirty Dan, then Noah and finally Jackson with Goody Gil. Using Detective Scarlett's method, they all learn to overcome their Bully Brain and graduate to becoming 'teachers' themselves, with more difficult cases.

The Method

Scarlett teaches the Step by Step Method which can be followed in many situations life throws at us.

A Scrapbook

Defeat looks like a scrapbook with simple colorful illustrations on each page. A fun and helpful book to refer to often.

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*

Book Review: Ava and Maya the Fairy Dragon (OT)

Ava and Maya the Fairy Dragon, by Medha Bhaskar (6 years old) (Independently published, 40pp, $17.99HB, 2025, ages 4-12) Review by Skye Anderson 

With gorgeous illustrations in bold primary colors and simple lines yet illustrating exquisite creativity, Ava and Maya the Fairy Dragon is a lesson in believing. 

Little Ava plays in the forest, perhaps chasing butterflies but never catching one: one day Ava becomes lost and who appears but a fairy dragon, Maya, with scales that shimmer like stars. Maya rescues Ava and returns her to her home and family - thank goodness! 

A lovely book about love, family and believing - believing in secret friends to share adventures with. Believe and it will come true, if only in your dreams.

Reminiscent of Peter Pan, Maya appears only to Ava and only at night, bringing dreams of lovely adventures with hints of a sequel. Both believe in butterflies and magic, sparkling rainbows and friendship.

We can't wait for more adventures of a little girl and her secret fairy dragon friend!

Book Review: The Color of Sound (young violinist on strike, Bernese Mountain Dog, synesthesia)

The Color of Sound, by Emily Barth Isler (CarolRhoda Books, $19.99 HB, 336pp, 2024, ages 11-14, grades 6-8) Review by Skye Anderson

Rare indeed is the book for middle-schoolers that also keeps adults reading to the end - in almost one sitting! The Color of Sound is one such book, written, I'm sure, with both young and old(er) in mind.

Author Emily Barth Isler does not talk down to middle-schoolers but considers them an almost-equal, able to understand complex relationships, having studied them subconsciously for at least a dozen years, yet it is only now that the girl's understanding coalesces and wise words emanate.

The more usual book for middle schoolers is overshot with dialogue, so Color is refreshing with just the right amount. 

And the cover, like the cover of Aftermath,

is one you will return to often as you see different things in it each time. The intriguing cover of Color wraps around, with a girl on the front and a look-alike on the back with time and music woven in.

What's it All About?

Our protagonist Rosie has the rare ability to sense colors when she hears sound*. She is also a child prodigy and has played the violin all her life. 

Until now. 

Now is the six weeks she and her mom stay at her maternal grandparents where her mother grew up - a large house almost in the country. 

Rosie is on strike: she left her violin at home and demands to take a break from that life of lessons and practice and rehearsals and competitions and orchestras and music camps. But Grandmother is in the late stages of Alzheimers, Grandfather is a quiet man, and they have a big slobbery Bernese Mountain Dog, who is always in the way. 

And, they have a shed that Rosie takes shelter in one day only to find another soul there to educate her. But who is this other? And can Rosie change that 'other'?

It's About Relationships and Family History

Can children really educate their parents, change them? Perhaps only when they know the whole story, as Rosie discovers, in bits and pieces, the story of her family and generations past - why she knows nothing about them. Yet.

Did Rosie choose violin or did her talent choose it for her? Why is it so important to her mother and her father?

The Color of Sound will stay with the young reader for a long time and may just spark an interest in acting, in music, in family history, in dogs.

Bonus: Like Aftermath with mathematical terms like chapter titles, The Color of Sound introduces each chapter with a musical term (pianissimo, staccato, etc.) and it is up to the astute reader to discover why. Although a background in music will make reading this book a richer experience, no background at all will not hinder its enjoyment.

*synesthesia: one receives information in two of the five senses at once (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell). Sounds may have colors, words may have taste, . . . .

Book Review: A Fatal Arrangement (Pacific Northwest, flowers, murder)

A Fatal Arrangement, by Gayle Roper (Annies Fiction, 2020, 214pp HB, $19.99) Review by Skye Anderson

There are romance novels and then there are steamy romance novels. This is neither. 

A Fatal Arrangement is what I call a cozy mystery - it has no graphic violence, and generally no swearing or sex - just a darn good tale.

Cozy mysteries often come in groups (a series). Sometimes they star a dog* or cat, sometimes they center around a bookstore or a yarn shop**, or a bakery with a recipe included, an inn, a geographical location. You name it and I bet there is a mystery series with that theme.

This cozy mystery starts with a death - five years ago - a disappearance, actually. And an empty boat.  But, could it be murder? Grandpa's last diary entry seems to say so but who would murder a grandpa?

A Fatal Arrangement stars a let-go botany professor who worked with the police probably at the University of Washington in Seattle (my alma mater), who takes over her grandmother's florist shop on Orcas Island in Puget Sound (Orcas really is an island there). Her first weekend also features a book signing of famous authors who got their start in a writers' course on the island, a last-minute wedding, poisoned flowers (hence, the title), a break-in, a thumb drive (jump drive), another break-in, a dachshund named Bear, another break-in, and hiding things from the police. 

Oh, and did I mention the cliffhangers at the end of chapters? And the professor whose heart goes pittypatter when the island's handyman appears (or a member of the city's finest). Our budding florist has a lot to learn about small town friendships and to learn the common names of plants and flowers rather than the scientific ones (Genus species) if she wants to keep her new friends, the owner of the local bookstore and the owner of the bakery next door and. . . . 

A Fatal Arrangement will make you want to read more cozy flower mysteries!

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*To Fetch a Thief by Spencer Quinn, but Quinn's are classy tales

**On Skein of Death by Allie Pleiter, a typical cozy mystery