Best Friends

It goes without saying that when an author reads a nice review of her book, she’s usually giddy, happy, and thrilled for days. Perhaps weeks, maybe even months. But when the review comes from a very, very special organization, one that the author holds close to her heart, the experience is beyond wonderful. Especially when the review is a surprise.

Picks for Young

Readers

By Sally Rosenthal

Dog Gone by Cynthia Chapman Willis. Feiwel and Friends, 2008

Taken on appearance alone, books, like most things in life,

can be deceiving. Such is the case with

Dog Gone by first-time novelist

Cynthia Chapman Willis. When

I picked this young adult novel

from a stack of possible review

candidates, I expected to while

away a few hours reading a tale

of canine loss, but discovered

a rich, complex story of grief

and ultimate renewal.

The book opens with pre-

teen Dill, frozen with sadness

over the recent death of her mother, struggling to cope

with housekeeping demands,an ailing grandfather and a

distant father who is equally drawn inward and mourning.

As if that were not enough, there is mounting concern in

her rural Virginia community that a pack of dogs has been

killing local farmers’ livestock and that Dill’s beloved rescued husky

mix, who is prone to roaming, might be involved.

Without giving away too much of the plot, I can say that Dog

Gone is one of the best animal-themed young adult novels I have

come across in years. With believable, finely drawn characters, local

color and a story deftly balancing empathy and tension, this first

novel reads like the work of a well-established author. Exploring

the often-harsh reality of what can occur when canine pack instinct

meets economic reality, Dog Gone also celebrates the devotion

between people and dogs and the myriad ways that devotion can

lead to healing.

This lovely review appeared in the May/June issue of Best Friends magazine, the publication of the Best Friends Animal Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the day when there will be “No More Homeless Pets.” Best Friends is one of my favorite (if not my favorite) animal help organizations. So, imagine my excitement when I discovered this DOG GONE review. I just kept muttering Wow! and How cool is this? And then I’d blink, shake my head, and try to refocus to be sure I really was reading a review of my book.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a huge mush when it comes to animals. Love them. All of them. Some more than others, of course, but never mind that. The point is, Best Friends touches my heart. It’s hard not to visit their website or read their wonderful magazine without melting, putting my hands to my chest, and wanting to adopt just about ever critter that needs a home. You’ll probably understand if you check out this organization at www.bestfriends.org. If you don’t know of Best Friends, let me introduce you. I think you’ll be glad that I did.

Enjoy!