Book Review & Giveaway
by Georgia Miller
Since my daughter’s literary interests have long veered toward the furry four-legged, she was eager to share her latest book review. Read the instructions at the end of this post and you will be entered to win her own special giveaway.
A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill is a touching true story about a young woman and her service dog.
Because of her cerebral palsy, Leigh was in need of a service dog. She had trouble walking and a dog would help her balance and walk up stairs. When she finally received Slugger, she had to go through several training courses. I learned that dogs can be used for more than companionship.
One day, when she was walking around on campus, Leigh met her future husband. They always loved playing Frisbee and catch with Slugger. When Leigh was interviewed for a job, they wouldn’t accept her because of Slugger. No matter how hard they tried to get Leigh to work without her dog, she wouldn’t give in. She was brave.
Of course, after the many years of helping Leigh, Slugger developed arthritis. It eventually got worse and worse, so Leigh decided to get another service dog named Kenda. Kenda was a young, fun-loving puppy. So she helped Leigh during the time when Slugger was sick and had to be put to sleep. That part of the book was so sad I didn’t want to read it at night before bed so I read it in the car on the way to gymnastics.
I thought this was a great book. It is absolutely perfect for the young dog lover, or a dog lover of any age. It’s good to read books about dogs so if you’re looking to get one, you can learn what they are like. This is now one of my favorite books. I loved it. I learned a lot about people and dogs, and it made me feel lucky.
If I could say anything to Leigh Brill it would be that you are really awesome and you are one of my idols. I hope you write a book about you and Kenda!
Now for my giveaway. Please leave a comment with your suggestion of more books I should read and review this summer. If I choose your name, I will send you a super cool duct tape wallet handmade by me!
It’s Kid’s Week on Cheerio Road. Check back frequently for guest posts on the darnedest things.
This is the best book review I ever read. Pure awesomeness. I am going now to order this book on Amazon.
Comment by Pamela — July 9, 2011 @ 8:17 pm
Georgia, I’m sorry to say that I don’t know of any good books about dogs… But sure enjoyed your review! If you haven’t already read it I would recommend “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” It’s been a favorite at different times throughout my life and I’ll bet you recognize parts of yourself in Francie 😉 I’d love to get one of your wallets but I live in Germany and post is expensive… Maybe you’d post a picture of one of them on your mom’s page sometime? Happy reading!
Comment by Aimee D. — July 10, 2011 @ 2:23 am
Thanks, Georgia, for the really thoughtful review! I work in the children’s room of our city’s public library and am always asking people what they’re reading and whether they’ve got any recommendations. We don’t have A Dog Named Slugger at our library, but I’ll see if we can order it!
Have you read any of the books about Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor? Or how about the books by James Herriot, who was a country vet in England in the 1930s and 40s?
Comment by Jennifer — July 10, 2011 @ 3:36 am
Well Mademoiselle Georgia what an excellent review! NIce job indeed.
One of my favourite books of all time is Anne of Green Gables (not about dogs but still a classic) which comes from my home country of Canada. Another one (also from Canada) that I think you absolutely must read is called The Sweetness At The Bottom Of The Pie, an old fashioned mystery with an amazing heroine called Flavia de Luce.
I look forward to your next review. Bon courage!!
Comment by Bobbi — July 10, 2011 @ 12:10 pm
Hello Georgia! I’m sure you’ve read, Because of Winn Dixie. There is also Homeward Bound, a better book than movie, I think. Thank you for this post, I’m needing the help of a book reviewer like you.
I’ll be traveling across the country for a few days with my daughter, she’s four and half. The half is very important to her 🙂 Anyway, I’m wanting to get books for our ipod. Could you recommend anything beside Charlotte’s Web, we already have it. We are looking forward to the day we can read your book.
Thank you!
Comment by Kelly — July 10, 2011 @ 8:29 pm
Kelly,
I liked the Trumpet of the Swan, also by EB White. And the Mouse and the Motorcyle by Beverly Cleary. I loved all the Miss Piggle Wiggle books and also the Boxcar Children and the Magic Treehouse series. I read the Betsy-Tacy books when I was that little. I have loved a lot of books! Have a good trip!
Georgia
Comment by Karen Maezen Miller — July 10, 2011 @ 8:39 pm
Miss Georgia,
It’s so great that you enjoy reading as much as you do! My mom made me read all summer and write book reports. At the time, I thought it was awful, but I’m grateful for it today.
I loved the Little House on the Prairie series as well as The Secret Garden and Charlotte’s Web.
I am glad to know about this book. My former husband had an accident in 1999 and became a quadriplegic. He had a service dog named Baxter. Baxter got sick a while back and had to be put to sleep. Rick feels like he lost his best friend. He is hoping to get another service dog at some point, but they are very expensive and take a long time to train. I think this book would be a great gift for him and a great way for him to occupy his time while waiting for his new service dog.
Keep up the great work, sweetie! I really enjoy your posts!
Comment by Debra — July 11, 2011 @ 5:14 am
Miss Georgia,
One of the earlier posts mentioned James Herriott’s books … you would love those as well! I think I have the whole set, so if you’d like to borrow them, I’ll send them home with your mom in September when she comes to Houston!!
Love you!
Comment by Debra — July 11, 2011 @ 5:19 am
Not dog books, but some I think are great are The Penderwicks, The Sisters Grimm – The Fairy Tale Detectives, and Operation Redwood.
Comment by Aparna — July 11, 2011 @ 6:17 am
Excellent review, Georgia! My daughter’s current favorite read is the National Geographic 2011 Almanac. It’s full of lots of fascinating information.
Comment by Mama Zen — July 11, 2011 @ 8:44 am