The Lions' Run by Sara Pennypacker illustrated by Jon Klassen

Compassionate and complex. Kirkus Star review

Occupied France, 1944. Lucas Dubois lives in an abbey orphanage. There are rule and constraints but Lucas has some freedom because he works as a delivery boy for a local town greengrocer. Once his deliveries are completed he can enjoy a little free time and some fishing but on this day he sees two of the older orphanage boys stuffing some kittens into a sack. 

"When Marcel cinched the sack, Lucas squeezed his eyes shut. There was nothing he could do, either. Two against one; the two known to relish brawls. Lucas famous for running from them."

But not this time. Lucas follows the boys the bridge. He desperately tries to bargain with these bullies and hands over his precious fishing lure "but Claude didn't hand over the sack. He swung it out toward the canal and let go. Then both boys ran off laughing."

Perhaps all is not lost. Lucas grabs the bag and yes he saves all but one kitten but what will he do with the five that are left? There is an abandoned stable up in the hills above the town. To get there he has to ride past the Nazi maternity home - this is a place he visits regularly with his deliveries. On arrival at the stable Lucas makes an amazing, and life-changing, discovery. There is a horse in the stable and a girl. Alice is hiding her racehorse because:

"The Germans issued orders ... All healthy horses are to be seized for the war effort. They don't mean the racing horses still here - the Germans love their horse facing too much. But Bia doesn't race, so they would take her. They would probably use her to move artillery in Poland where the roads are gone until she was wounded or dropped dead of exhaustion. Then the soldiers would eat her."

The lives of these two kids in occupied France now collide. Lucas needs help to keep the kittens alive and safe; Alice needs Lucas to keep Bia, her horse, a secret; and then there is the further twist when Lucas steps in to help the local resistance movement helping Mme Garnier headhouse keeper at Lebensborn. 

"Lucas lay wide awake that night. Beneath his pillow was a slip of paper Mme Garnier had dropped. She had been so afraid of those Germans discovering this paper that it could mean only one thing: She was in the Resistance and it was a secret message."

As expected, this all puts Lucas in grave danger - this tension will keep you turning the pages of The Lions' Run desperately hoping Lucas, Alice, Bia and those kittens will all survive. Do NOT flip to the end of the book - the ending you will arrive at is unexpected and more.

This is the second book where I have read about the Lebensborn.

"to be accepted, the pregnant girls must pass all these tests. Not just blue eyes and blonde hair. They measure their heads, they measure the space between their eyes, everything. It's called 'Aryan,' what they're breeding for. Some with the men, the fathers ... Two blonde parents are most likely going to have blonde children."

Adding to all the complexities of this story - Lucas meets and talks with Clare, one of the young pregnant girls. As an orphan himself he is so dismayed when he hears that her baby will be taken away and she will never see him again. 

This immersive story is driven by Lucas’ emotional yearnings and the sometimes complicated relationships among the well-drawn characters, ... the history and the specific setting are accurate and carefully delineated, creating a strong sense of place. Kirkus Star review

... this a book the reader won’t be able to put down. Historical Novel Society

Pennypacker’s tale feels both relevant and necessary. She captures the idea that bravery doesn’t always look grand or heroic; sometimes it’s found in the smallest, most private choices. A Book a Week

Please read this interview of Sara Pennypacker by Betsy Bird. The Lions' run is available in hardcover for a really good price here in Australia (shop around I've seen this book between AUS$18 and AUS$25) so I highly recommend you add this book to your library collection. The cover by Jon Klassen is perfect - you need to stretch it out to see the front and back images together. Listen to an audio sample of Chapter 5 and you can read chapters one and two here.

There are so many books for readers aged 10+ about aspects of World War II but I highly recommend you consider adding this one to your school library. The story is a powerful one and yet also very personal. Lucas is an orphan and this drives his desire to firstly help the kittens and later the baby. Alice is wise beyond her years and a character to cherish. The important work of the resistance is woven into this story and this adds a very real layer of tension. (Click the label Resistance Fighters at the bottom of this post to find other books that explore the heroism of people who worked so hard to thwart the enemy). 

Companion books:

Waiting for the Storks

All the Beautiful Things

Faceless

Birdie

I am a huge fan of Sara Pennypacker.

Pax; Pax: The Journey Home

Summer of the Gypsy Moths

Leeva at Last

Sparrow Girl

The Boy and the Dog Tree by Fiona Wood illustrated by Judy Watson

"You desire to know why I have come to you. It is simply this: when called upon by a child in need I emerge from the tree ... Your sadness and fears called me. .... You await the return of your parents and fear for their safety. You are tormented daily by your enemy."

Begin with the title. The boy - his name is Mitch. The Dog Tree. There is a tree in the bushland behind gran's house that looks, well a little, like a dog. Mitch loves dogs. He has wanted one his whole life. He also loves this tree. Climbing the tree after he and his sister move in with Gran, he makes a wish that will change his life and help him adjust to the complex challenges and changes in his life.

Characters:

Mitch is unhappy about moving to a new city - Sydney to Melbourne. He is worried about fitting in at a new school. He desperately misses his parents who are overseas shooting a movie. And all he has ever wanted is a dog - a dog of his own. 

Mitch has a fantastic younger sister named Regi. I love the way her personality is totally the opposite of Mitch and yet he has no resentment about this. 

Gran is also wonderful. She is a scientist but I was entirely wrong about her reaction to Mitch's story about the arrival of his dog and I cheered over the scene where she meets Argos. Gran is also, and I love this discovery, a fantastic cook. 

Dido is a great friend. She understands the dynamics of the peer group and is also brave enough to help Mitch (spoiler alert) when he needs help to rescue Argos.

Argos has lived many lives. He has a delightful formal and old-fashioned way of speaking. He uses words like 'tarry not'; 'twas upon a platter'; and 'thus do I know'. He is also very wise and of course a truly loyal friend. "Mitch could name a hundred dog breeds, but he'd never seen anything quite like this wild, majestic creature. ... It was a bit like a wolfhound, but more solid. Fur as black as liquorice, tanged and long. Up on its hind legs it would tower over the tallest of men." Argos also makes a couple of very astute comments about adults and their use of mobile phones! He also smells wonderful. 

Seb Anders is the class bully. If you have encountered bullies in other books be warned Seb is among the worst. He takes every opportunity to taunt and hurt Mitch. There is an early scene in the book where Seb takes Mitch's lunch box and he tips everything into the dirt and then stomps on the food. 

Ms Zwerger their teacher has decided the class will live 'unplugged'. Such a terrific idea. You will enjoy reading about the activities she sets her class. 

I feel so very lucky to have read this book a few weeks before it is due to be released (3rd March). Huge thanks to Gleebooks Kids for entrusting me with an advance reader copy of The Boy and the Dog Tree. I know it is early in 2026 but I am going to predict this book will be devoured by young readers aged 9+ and it surely will be selected as a 2027 CBCA Younger Readers Notable title - YES it is THAT GOOD.

Bookseller blurb: Magical. Whimsical. Wild. This exceptional middle-grade novel about the special bond between a boy and his dog will set your heart free.

'So, are you my dog?' Mitch asked, in a whisper.

'No,' said Argos. 'But you are my boy. For a time.'

Mitch's life has been uprooted. Instead of the whole family moving to a new city, Mitch and his sister are staying with their gran, while their parents have been delayed working on other side of the world. He's struggling to fit in at school, with the resident Grade Five bully picking on him. The one thing that would make his life better is a dog, if only he could persuade his parents. Then Mitch discovers an old oak tree that seems to ... growl. And one night, a huge, strange dog-like creature emerges from the trunk. His name is Argos. He has been bound in the tree by 'history, mystery, magic and chance', and he is here, for a time, to help Mitch find his way. But being different can be dangerous, especially for a wild and wilful beast like Argos ... While at first Mitch looks to Argos for friendship and protection, there comes a time he must stand up for this magical creature who has changed him forever. A heart-lifting tale of friendship, courage and belonging by three-time CBCA Award-winning author Fiona Wood.

It was wonderful read that Mitch is a boy who is 'allowed' to express his emotions:

"When he was as high up as he could go and settled in a comfortable crook (of the tree) he let himself cry. This was quite the year of crying. He had honestly expected to be crying less as he got older not more. These days he cried because of how he felt ... In the categories of crying, today was a simple hold-it-together-all-day-then-let-it-out cry. It didn't last long and he felt much better afterwards."

UQP have some excellent teacher notes and discussion questions to use with The Boy and the Dog Tree including suggesting students could research the names Argos; Calliope; and Ceberus. 

The teachers notes list all these themes for The Boy and the Dog Tree: 

• Friendship 

• Belonging 

• Confidence 

• Courage 

• Compassion 

• Integrity  

• Loyalty  

• Perspective 

• Prejudice 

• Bullying 

• Magic 

• Dogs

I am not usually a fan of endorsements but Peter Carnavas is SO right when he says: ‘A beautiful book, filled with courage, magic and a huge ancient dog to wrap your arms – and your heart – around.’

I was interested to read an interview sent to me by UQP with the author Fiona Wood (she previously has won the Older Readers category in CBCA Book of the Year Awards for Wildlife; Cloudwish; and Take Three Girls). She says her inspiration for her middle grade book came from The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis; Five Children and It by E Nesbitt; and her first encounter with a magical tree was The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton. As I read The Boy and the Dog tree I also thought of another classic - Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce. 

"The genesis of this story was an old oak tree whose trunk was gnarled into a shape that reminded me of a dog. Every time I walked past it, I wondered when, how and why a dog - or the spirit of a dog - might be trapped within the tree."

Companion books:

One Dog and His Boy

The eyes and the Impossible

Elf Dog and Owl Head

A Different Dog

Talking to Alaska

The Hounds of Penhallow Hall

The Dream Dog

The issue of bullies looms large in this book. I appreciated the way Fiona Wood gives her readers a small glimpse into why Seb might behave like this in the scene where we witness the actions of his mother the Mayor but she doesn't 'reform' or 'redeem' him. Please note some of these books below contain confronting scenes of bullying and are intended for an older audience:

Swashbuckler

The Night Bus hero

The Truth as told to Mason Buttle

Running my own race

Chapter 39 has a tender scene where Mitch thinks about the time his dad helped him overcome his fear of the dark. I know this is a picture book for younger children but I immediately thought of this favourite:

Martin Waddell

And the scene (sorry another spoiler) when the family go to the dog home or rescue centre is sure to remind you of this classic Australian picture book:

Let's get a Pup

Dingo's Dream by Helen Milroy

Bookseller blurb: There is someone in distress, but who? Dingo checks on everyone in his community but they're all fine. He mounts a search and rescue mission. He searches all over the countryside until he stumbles across his homeland he hasn't visited for many years and is now an empty landscape. They find a strange animal stranded at the bottom of ravine. It was Dingo s country that called him to rescue the stranger - a Tasmanian Devil a long way from home. Dingo remembers the packs of dingoes who sang at sunset long ago and he goes back and sings, and soon many packs of dingoes are singing at sunset again. Tasmanian Devil helps Dingo on his way home and tells all the dingoes across the land, their country is calling them home.

The stunning illustrations on glossy pages are a visual delight with the white text being a standout feature. This skilfully written narrative is highly accessible and would be a perfect read for those Early Years children seeking an early chapter book or would be an entertaining short novel to be read aloud in class. Read Plus

Read more about Dingoes - Bush Heritage Australia.

Taronga Zoo

This book is part of a series by Helen Milroy from Magabala Books (thanks for my review copy). Dingo's Dream is the first book from the second series. You should try to collect all of these for your school library. 

Tales from the Bush Mob are books about a group of animals who work together to solve problems. These stories emphasise the value of respect for First Nations culture and country, as well as the importance of courage, perseverance and wisdom to bind communities together.

Each book shares a rich landscape of characters and places, including Dingo, Willy-willy Wagtail, Eagle, Platypus, Koala, Wombat, Kookaburra, Echidna and Kangaroo. These stories emphasise the value of respect for First Nations culture and country, as well as the importance of courage, 

perseverance and wisdom to bind communities together.

Helen Milroy is a born storyteller and a talented artist. She is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia but was born and educated in Perth. Currently Helen is the University of Western Australia and Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation Professor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Commissioner with the National Mental Health Commission. Helen has been on state and national mental health and research advisory committees and boards with a particular focus on Indigenous mental health as well as the wellbeing of children.

Song of a Thousand Seas by Zana Fraillon

Days are for watching listening playing planning but

nights are for adventure

Houdini the octopus is a girl but in the world of this book, which we see through her eyes, she refers to herself as we (due to the fact octopuses have nine brains).

Not Welcome

Our nine Octopus brains have a lot we'd like

to say to the Waves of People who

come every day to stare and gawk to

squeak and squawk to squeal to bang on our glass

we'd have a lot to say if only they

knew how to listen

The first thing we'd say is

GO AWAY!

Houdini lives in an aquarium. It is not large and I find that so awful:

We want to say that in the day we

do not hunt at all. The Sea is so very

big so very full but our tank is so

very small so

very empty.

Far too empty

for too small for

hunting.

Like being safe is all

that matters. Like a tank two arms long in

all directions is

any kind of Home. Like

the bubbles from the pump

are enough of an ebb and flow to make us happy

when we know

to be happy is to be free.

Her keeper (is that the right term) is named Paul. In fact I dislike that title keeper - and I am not a fan at all of animals in captivity so I come to this story with a high level of empathy and also quite a bit of rage. Have you twigged about the name Houdini - yes she is an escape artist and who can blame her. Octopuses are not meant to languish in an aquarium for our (human) viewing pleasure. She needs to get back into the ocean - think about the title - her heart needs to hear the song of a thousand seas. 

Luckily Houdini is very clever and yes she can escape but she also knows she has to be very careful of Paul because he is sure to 'fortify' her tank even more and then escape might be impossible. Then we discover Houdini has two human friends, Joe the cleaner and Juno, Paul's daughter, and they do have enough emotional intelligence and also enough understanding of the plight of animals in captivity to know Houdini needs her freedom. I think this is because Joe and Juno also have experienced pain. 

Every night Houdini tries to find her way to the pipes in the bathroom because they lead to the sea but she doesn't quite make it before she needs to be back in the water and so Joe carefully carries her back to her tank. As a reader I was holding my breath hoping that she would make it and be free again. 

Zana Fraillon is one of Australia’s most interesting writers for young children, experimenting with form and voice and offering layered and intelligent narratives. ‘Song of a Thousand Seas’ is a lyrical verse novel of homecoming and friendship focusing on Houdini the octopus who lives in an aquarium, but she misses her home in the wild sea. This is a thought provoking and compelling story ideal for readers aged 8-12, and a great read aloud for teachers. Paul Macdonald 

Here are some very detailed teachers notes.

Do you ever think about author names? I think the name Zana Fraillon is a perfect one for an author. It sounds exotic and mysterious to me. Also I am giving this cover by Aviva Reed top marks - it is fantastic. Australia is a relatively small country and yes I agree we do have some really good authors who write for children but there are a few that are way beyond just good - authors whose work can stand up with the very best in the world - one of those authors is Zana Fraillon. Make sure you pop this book onto your library shelves - the readers in our lives and libraries deserve to read the very best books and this is one of them.

You can see Zana Fraillon talking about her book on this video. Houdini was a real octopus - you must share this with the readers in your library. Thank you to University of Queensland Press (UQP) for sending an advance copy of Song of a Thousand Seas (due for publication 2nd September 2025)

LAUNCH - Song Of a Thousand Seas will be officially launched! Come join the wonderful @kmildenhall and me in conversation @readingskids in Carlton on Saturday the 6th of September from 2pm. There will be sea stones to decorate, awesome octopus tattoos, cupcakes and an octopus quiz with octopus prizes so be sure to brush up on all those octopus facts! All books signed will include the one of a kind ‘signature’ by the real Houdini. Tickets are free, but registrations are necessary.

I have talked about lots of verse novels here on this blog - click that search term on my sidebar.

Companion books:

My Friend the Octopus

Odder

The One and Only Ivan (look for the sequels too)

In 2018 Zana Fraillon's book The Bone Sparrow was our IBBY Australia Honour book title. This means her book goes into a very important international book catalogue and also becomes part of a travelling exhibition. 

Zana Fraillon is an internationally acclaimed, multi-award-winning author of books for children and young adults. Zana's books have won the Amnesty CILIP Honour Award, the ABIA Book of the Year for Older Children, the Readings YA Prize, NSW Premier's Literary Awards and the CBCA Honour Book Award. The Bone Sparrow was chosen as the biennial book to represent Australia for the International Board on Books for Young People. Zana was born and lives in Naarm (Melbourne) but spent her early childhood in San Francisco. She has degrees in history and teaching and is undertaking a PhD in Creative Writing at La Trobe University.

Other books I have talked about by Zana Fraillon:

The Way of Dog

A small collection of Happiness

This should be the CBCA Younger Readers Book of the Year 

but alas it didn't even make the notables list - I am still in shock about that.

The Raven's Song

Very young readers might also look for another book by Zana Fraillon called Etta and the Octopus illustrated by Andrew Joyner. 

Odder: An Otter's story by Katherine Applegate illustrated by Charles Santoso

Many older readers will have met Odder via the verse novel with the same title by Katherine Applegate. That book has 270 pages. It is fairly easy to read because of the format but the intended audience is readers aged 9+.  Now we also have Odder: An Otter's story which is a picture book for readers aged 5+.  Huge thanks to University of Queensland Press for sending an advance copy.

Look at the cover of this new picture book - it is sure to appeal to all young readers. How can anyone resist this sweet little sea otter - she seems to be looking straight at the reader on the cover inviting you to explore her story. Then there is the added bonus that this book is a based on a true story. Children are always fascinated by true animal stories. Odder: An otter's story is a book you should certainly consider adding to your school library collection. Older readers might like to borrow the verse novel and the picture book. I would be keen to display them side by side in the library. Reading a verse novel can be quite an emotional experience. It is so impressive that, even with the pared back text, Katherine Applegate gives her readers of this picture book version beautiful insights into the emotions of little Odder.

I did a brief comparison of the two texts - of course the picture book story is very much abridged. 

Verse Novel:

page 23 "Her mother called her 'Odder' from the moment she was born. Something about the way the little pup never settled, something about the way her eyes were always full of questions."

Picture Book:

page one "They call her 'Odder' from the moment she is born. Something about the way the little pup never settles, something about the way her eyes are full of questions."

Odder is saved by humans, they teach her the skills her mother would have passed on about swimming, and grooming and eating crabs. Eventually Odder is released back into the ocean but sadly she is attacked by a shark. Luckily, she survives and is rescued again.

"This time, though, she will never go back to the ocean. The shark bite has forever changed her. She can no longer move the way she was meant to move. She can no longer play the way she was meant to play." 

But there is something important Odder can do. Another pup has been rescued. The little pup is so helpless.

"Little one,' Odder whispers, 'I will teach you how to crack open crabs, and fluff up your fur, and use your tummy as a table.' ... 'But most of all, silly minnow, I am going to teach you how to play."

Bookseller blurb: Meet Odder, the Queen of Play! She twists, darts, weaves, and rolls, leaving frothy trails behind her. Why just somersault when you can triple-doughnut? Why dive when you can dazzle? Odder spends her days playing underwater and learning from her mother, until a storm changes everything and she is rescued by humans. Based on Katherine Applegate's bestselling novel, this lyrical story, inspired by a true programme pairing orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers, explores resilience, healing, and the vital role of play through the eyes of one of nature’s most beloved creatures.

In the US this picture book is published by Macmillan. 

I previously read and loved Odder - the verse novel. It spent over 52 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Now University of Queensland Press have acquired the rights to Odder - the picture book edition.  Here is a quote from their Instagram page:

UQP is thrilled to announce that we've acquired the picture book edition of ‘Odder: An Otter's Story’ by Newbery Medallist Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Charles Santoso. Adapted from the middle-grade verse novel of the same title, the story follows a playful sea otter pup named Odder whose life is turned upside down when she is separated from her mother during a storm. It is a poetic and heartwarming tale of resilience, healing and wildlife conservation.⁠ UQP has acquired ANZ rights and will publish in May 2025.⁠

US cover

In my blog post about the original verse novel I said: The character of little Odder is sure to linger with you long after reading this warm-hearted story. I think this book would be terrific to read aloud or you could give it to any animal lover aged 9+. One powerful aspect of this storytelling is the way Katherine Applegate uses point of view. As a reader you really are right inside the head, heart and eyes of the young otter called Odder.

Here is the UK cover of the original verse novel:

UK cover

You are sure to be familiar with other splendid books by Katherine Applegate - if you click on the label assigned to this post you can read many of her other books.

Wishtree

Click here for a link to my blog post about the books in the Ivan series

Dogtown (book one); Mouse and his dog (book two)

Lotus and Feather by Ji-Li Jiang illustrated by Julie Downing

Lotus has been unwell, and her illness has taken her voice away. The other children no longer invite her to play. She lives with her kind, wise and compassionate grandfather beside a lake that used to be filled with lotus flowers, birds and fish. 

"One morning, Lotus went to collect reeds for her Grandpa. She stopped in awe when she saw a big bird, as white as fresh snow, standing in the marsh grass. Its wide wings edged with black feathers, like lace on a dress. Above the long, curved neck, its head was crowned with a red top like a dazzling ruby."

As Lotus stands looking at this exquisite creature a gunshot startles her. Her bird has been shot. She carefully carries him back to her grandfather. Over the coming weeks and months Feather gradually heals and eventually he stands up and even seems to dance. This entrances the other children. Then one evening Feather begins to crow loudly. He has sensed an earthquake. Lotus and her grandfather rush to alert the villagers because their lake is about to flood. 

Bookseller blurb: A winter illness left Lotus, a little girl, without a voice and without friends. A hunter's bullet left Feather, a crane, injured and unable to fly. As Lotus nurses Feather back to health, their bond grows. Soon Feather is following Lotus everywhere, even to school! The bird dances to the girl's reed whistle, much to the delight of the other children. One day, when the village floods, Feather helps raise the alarm as Lotus and her grandfather urge their neighbors to get to high ground. Feather is a true friend to Lotus, but the time comes when Lotus must be a true friend to him--by encouraging him to migrate with the rest of the cranes. The next spring, Feather miraculously returns, and that's not all . . . he has brought new life to the nearby lake. Inspired by the true story of a crane that rescued a Chinese village, and graced with sensitive watercolor illustrations, this lovely book about respecting nature offers deep emotion and delightful surprises.

Elegant storytelling and arresting compositions combine for a deeply satisfying emotional and aesthetic experience. Best shared one-on-one or in a small group so that children can pore over the lively and engaging artwork. School Library Journal

Downing’s finely crafted illustrations perfectly complement this reassuring story. Done with watercolor, pencil, and paint and digitally collated, they have the look of Chinese paintings, with misty backgrounds and gently bending reeds. The rosy-cheeked children wear red scarves, alluding to the author’s own childhood during the Cultural Revolution. Kirkus

My friend at Kinderbookswitheverything set up an extensive display of books for Chinese New Year and among them I found Lotus and Feather. This is a book to read and treasure and it has wonderful illustrations. It was published in 2017 but I think it is still available although sadly, as with all US Picture books now, it is very expensive at over AUS$40. I have not found a paperback edition. 

Here is the webpage of the illustrator Julie Downing. Read more about Ji-Li Jiang here. You can watch a video of the book at Storyline Online. 

Mouse and his Dog by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko illustrated by Wallace West

"A heart is a muscle. It gets stronger the more you use it."

Think about this: 

dogs + robots + shedding a few tears + a happy ending for everyone = The Perfect Book

And this equation you can add a smart little mouse named Mouse who has a hugely compassionate heart.

If you have read the first book in this series you will remember the Reading Buddies Program run by Mr Molanari. In this second book kids still come to Dogtown - the home for stray dogs - and so you will cheer when you meet a young girl named Saanvi. She somehow knows there are special dogs who have been banished to the basement. These dogs are the rejects. They are not considered suitable for the Reading Buddy program and in fact many of them will be 'put on the list' (you might be able to guess what this means). The reject robot dogs also have a terrible fate awaiting them known as e-waste. Saanvi is drawn to Buster. He is a golden retriever but every time someone takes him home he accidentally messes up and he ends up being bought back to Dogtown. Mouse, his friend, is desperate to keep Buster safe. Surely he can go and live with Saanvi? Oh no - Buster's name is 'on the list' - there is no time - Mouse and his friends Stewie (another reject dog) and Smokey (a malfunctioning robot dog) must team up and get Buster away from Dogtown tonight!

Every dog lover needs to read this book or even better ask mum or dad to read it to all the family! No wait a minute - read the first book then this one - and get ready for a wonderful and very memorable reading experience from this sequel.

A few text quotes:

"I want to be one of those brave mice you read about in books. A mouse in a friar's robe brandishing a sword, a mouse in short sleeves paddling a canoe, a mouse in a pullover sweater who saves a princess."

"Bouncebacks are hard on dogs. They think they have a new home with balls and bones and doggy beds with their names on them, and then they find themselves back on the hard cement, with nothing to chase but their own tails."

"I'm fluent in Dog as you know. But dogs can't grasp the complex mix of screeches, squeals and squeaks of Mousespeak. So, I hold up my end of the conversation with my own personal sign language."

Publisher blurb: Mouse lives in Dogtown, a shelter for real dogs and robot dogs, where the kibble is plentiful, and the rafters hide a secret community of mice. His unlikely best friend is Buster, a big-hearted real dog who attracts trouble like a burr to fur. Determined to help Buster find his forever home, even if means losing his best pal, Mouse embarks on a bold quest with three of Dogtown’s “unadoptables”: Determined to help Buster find his forever home, even if means losing his best pal, Mouse embarks on a bold quest with three of Dogtown’s “unadoptables”: Buster; Stewie, a huge, lovable dog whose ex-owner said he was mean; and Smokey, a robot dog hardwired with a smoke alarm he can’t control. But Mouse is just a mouse, and the world is big and complicated. How’s a little guy supposed to find homes for the dogs he loves?

Listen to an audio sample. Read an extract here. And read the Kirkus Review.

Books mentioned in Mouse and his Dog

• The Borrowers
• If you Give a mouse a Cookie
• Stuart Little
• Junie B Jones
• Green Eggs and Ham
• Where the Sidewalk Ends
• The Tale of Despereaux
• The Mouse and the Motorcycle
• Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

Dogtown

This is what I said about Dogtown back in 2013 - and all of this is also true for Mouse and His Dog:

Every page of this book made me sigh with happiness. ... thank goodness I found Dogtown which I read in one gulp! This book would be a terrific class read aloud for Grade 2 or 3 and a wonderful book to share in a family - the chapters are mostly only one or two pages. I highly recommend you add this book to your library or Christmas book shopping list.

Scout and the Rescue Dogs by Dianne Wolfer

Scout's mum has died and because her dad is a long-distance truck driver, Scout is now at boarding school. As is often the way with boarding school stories Scout feels lost and she is also bullied. Luckily, as the story opens, the Christmas holidays are beginning and here in Australia that means Scout can leave school behind for the next five or six weeks. In the first week, leading up to Christmas, Scout joins her dad as he drives through Northern Victoria and Southern NSW with a delivery of dog food which has been donated by a philanthropist. 

At each animal shelter Scout meets some sweet dogs and other rescued animals including a baby wombat. The owners of the various shelters explain why dogs are left and how desperate they are to find new owners for these pets. Scout is a girl of action. She can see some of these dogs would be fabulous companions for other long-haul drivers like her father. Her class teacher has set up a pen pal assignment for the summer holidays and Scout is matched with a kind girl called Anika. Together, via email, they design a website for the rescue dogs and (spoiler alert) Scout finds the perfect little dog to join her own family.

Meanwhile ferocious bushfires are engulfing enormous parts of Southern Australia. The air is filled with smoke and Scout and her dad have to race home and prepare their own house in case the fire reaches the town where they live. If you are book talking Scout and the Rescue Dogs you could read aloud pages 198-203 which describe the fire coming so close to their home. I have a Pinterest of other books that explore bushfires here in Australia. 

"Shelters full of pets as rental crisis bites" Sydney Morning Herald 23 March, 2024 by Tim Barlass

By coincidence, our Sydney Morning Herald newspaper had an article today about animal shelters and the huge number of dogs and cats being surrendered. This is an issue which is explored in Scout and the Rescue Dogs. In the article today the animals are taken to rescue centres because their owners need to be able to rent somewhere to live and having a dog or cat is not looked on favorably by landlords. In Scout and the Rescue Dogs - dogs and cats are taken there when they turn out to be unwanted Christmas presents. And there is also the horrendous issue of illegal puppy farms and the urgent rescue of very badly mistreated dogs. 

Scout and the Rescue dogs has been shortlisted by the CBCA (Children's Book Council of Australia) in the Younger Readers category.

Here are the judges' comments: Realistically set during the 2019/20 bushfires, this book journeys with Scout and her dad as they deliver donations of dog food to animal shelters throughout southeastern 

Australia. The bushfires and the geographical details related to their travels are accurately presented. Grieving the loss of her mum, sparked by their travels, the people they meet and a school friendship project, Scout develops a website to connect shelter dogs with truck drivers needing company. Responsible internet use, described throughout the text is commendable and age appropriate. Including creative design features, this fictional narrative is heartwarming and uplifting, dealing sensitively with topics of parental loss, environmental threat, bullying and separation balanced by optimism and the love Scout shares with her father and with animals.

Strengths

• Scout has an authentic voice.
• Scout is a problem solver and her idea of matching shelter dogs with long distance truck drivers is practical and realistic.
• There is an interesting side story in this book about girls and STEM, fostering curiosity and hobbies like rock collecting.
• Adult readers will well remember the dreadful bushfires referred to in this story.
• The urgency of the bushfire danger, Christmas celebrations and the delivery of donated dog food to various animal shelters is an effective device which moves the plot along at a good pace.
• Scout and her dad have a warm relationship, but I did find all the 'dad' jokes a little tedious at times. On the other hand, you could use these with a group of students in your library as a way to introduce the lighter side of this story.
• The concept of philanthropy is one that is worth exploring with upper primary readers.
• You could use this book to explore maps of Southern NSW and Northern Victoria - in fact I kept hoping the book might contain a map because I was very keen to follow their journey.

Dianne Wolfer has a generous selection of photos of dogs in trucks here. 

Weaknesses

• Is this book worthy of our most prestigious award? I think it is an enjoyable story which I would happily recommend to a reader aged 10+ but there is nothing here that excited me. I look for books that stretch a reader; that contain a rich vocabulary; and that involve deep emotions.
• The CBCA criteria under Literary merit says:  The language exhibits breadth and variety of vocabulary and precision. And under the Theme heading: Ideas and messages within the narrative are skilfully presented and crafted. The reader can recognise the themes or develop a fresh perspective. I was not able to apply these criteria to this book.
• This story is very Australian and very location and time specific - I am not sure it will appeal to, or translate to, an international audience which is something I always hope will happen with our CBCA winners.
• At times all the extra issues in this book felt quite overwhelming - climate change; puppy farms; koalas burnt in bushfires; struggling farmers; death of a parent; animal rights; injuries to firefighters, and animal euthanasia. 

Here are some very brief teachers notes from Scholastic. Here is a review from The Bottom Shelf. 

Read these reviews for more plot details:

The talented Dianne Wolfer has created an interesting chapter book full of innovative thoughts and ideas around the importance of considering properly, what is involved in choosing a dog or giving one as a gift. Kids' Book Review

Dianne Wolfer has written an engaging, heartwarming novel that touches on some big topics, including the death of a parent and dangerous bushfires (the terrible 2019/2020 summer bushfires are used as background context). While it is confronting in parts and doesn't shy away from honestly discussing these issues it carries a lightness courtesy of Scout and her father's loving relationship, a lovely smattering of dad jokes, Aussie slang and cultural references to summer cricket, Christmas traditions and road trip sights and sounds. Read Plus

Scout and the Rescue Dogs by Dianne Wolfer with illustrations by Tony Flowers is oozing with community spirit in the face of adversity, layered, authentic and endearing characters, a glimpse into the world of community outreach by truckies and gorgeous dogs needing to find their forever homes. This story seamlessly weaves together in a riveting and non-didactic way many themes including, the truckie community full of heart and spirit making deliveries during the 2019-20 Victorian bushfires, climate change, responsible pet ownership, puppy farms, a positive father daughter relationship, grief and loss. Reading Opens Doors

See other books by Dianne Wolfer including these ones which I really enjoyed. She has written a huge range of titles including picture books, picture books for older readers and novels:

The Dog with Seven names

CBCA Book of the Year Early Childhood 2014