War Horse by Michael Morpurgo

Joey is a big, beautiful red-bay horse with four white stockings and white cross right on his forehead. Albert's father bought him as a six-month-old foal. Joey was very frightened when he went to is new home, but he found a lifelong friend in Albert. Over the next few years they both grew up working hard on their small English farm, happy and devoted to each other despite the occasional anger-filled rages of Albert's father.

And then, World War I began in Europe. Without Albert's knowledge, his father sold Joey to the British Army where he would become the trusted cavalry horse of Captain Nicholls. Albert was heart-broken but he swore that when he was old enough he would enlist and find Joey so that he could bring him home again.

War Horse is a very emotional and powerful story. We see the terror and death that war brings, all through the eyes of Joey. We also see the good and brave people he meets after the death of Captain Nicholls. Joey eventually finds himself captured by the Germans, where he spends long dangerous days hauling carts of wounded soldiers and artillery guns. Joey wonders if he will ever see Albert again.

War Horse is a book in the excellent tradition of Black Beauty and other classic animal stories. The book has been adapted as a play in London and Steven Spielberg is currently filming the story as well. Enjoy the book now - I promise you will shed a few tears of both joy and sorrow.

The Fast and the Furriest

Kevin Pugh's dad is an ex-pro football player. Kevin has no interest in the sport, but keeps trying...and getting clobbered. He'd rather be playing video games with his friend, Zach, and hang out with his dog, Cromwell. When Cromwell spots a dog agility competition on TV, he starts behaving strangely. The former couch potato dog becomes active and tries to get Kevin involved in his activity. With Zach's help and financial backing, Kevin and Cromwell investigate and get involved in the world of dog agility competition.

Is agility a sport? Could Kevin and Cromwell have finally found their niche? This amusing tale will keep you in stitches!

Saving the Baghdad Zoo by Kelly Milner Halls

The Iraq War made a shambles of its capital city, Baghdad. When bombs fell, people ran in fear for their lives. If the animals in the zoo were even a thought, they were taken for food or to sell. Many were left behind in the main zoo and in the Luna Park zoo. Some exotic animals were left behind in Saddam Hussein's palace and that of his son, Uday. A team of U.S. Army officers and volunteer set out to save them and rebuild the zoo.

Today the zoo is reopened. Follow the stories of some the animals that survived and the people who helped them. Included are animals such as Arabian horses, a camel, pelicans, lions, tigers and even a bear (oh, my!).

Nubs; the True Story of a Mutt, a Marine, and a Miracle

Major Brian Dennis found Nubs when he was stationed in Iraq. Poor Nubs had never known a loving owner and someone had cut off his ears to make him look more fierce. But Nubs had a good heart and he quickly bonded to Major Dennis. Nubs even began helping at night with guard duty.

Unfortunately, Major Dennis and his team were often ordered to move out on patrol. Sometimes when they returned, they couldn't find Nubs. Other times he was injured from attacks by older or larger dogs. Finally, Major Dennis was ordered to the Iraqi battalion headquarters over 70 miles away. What would happen to Nubs?

How far would you go to find a friend? Nubs was determined to find his friend and so he set off in the middle of winter to cross Iraq. Don't worry - this dog story has a very happy ending!

Click on the title above to watch a short video of Nubs.

Darkwing

I love the bat books by Kenneth Oppel - Silverwing, Sunwing and Firewing - but for something completely different check out Darkwing!

Darkwing is the story of the very first bat. Sixty-five million years ago as the dinosaurs were beginning to die away, a small tree glider, a chiropter, discovered that he could actually flap his wings and fly!

At first his colony thinks he is different and tries to drive him away. In time, they discover that his new skill may be the only things that can save them in this dangerous world where carnivores are beginning to roam.

Kenneth Oppel has a wonderful website. Check out his Darkwing pages and video by clicking on the title link above. Also read his pages and watch the videos on all the bat books at his website
www.kennethoppel.ca/books.htm



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Everything for a dog

Everything for a Dog is writen by Ann M Martin, one of our favorite authors. This story is very interesting in the way it is presented. It's told from three points of view--that of a dog and two boys. The dog's name is Bone and he is looking for a forever home of his own. Henry wants a dog of his own more than anything in the world, while Charlie is grieving over the death of his brother. You'll be really surprised at the way the author brings the three separate stories together!

Anyone who loves dogs will love this tale by Ann Martin. I look forward to reading another of her books--A Dog's Life. Bone, the dog in this book, makes an appearance there as well.

The White Giraffe

After the sudden death of her parents, eleven-year-old Martine Allen finds herself on an airplane to South Africa, where her Grandmother runs a wildlife reserve called Sawubona. Amost immediately she finds herself involved in several mysteries. Why is her Grandmother so cold toward her? Why didn't her mother tell her about growing up at Sawubona? Why does her Grandmother want to keep Martine from Grace, a local sangoma or traditional healer? Who is responsible for the threatening the animals? Does the rare white giraffe really exist? And is she the girl of the prophecy - the girl with the gift that was predicted so long ago?

The world of Sawubona is beautiful and amazing. Martine soons falls in love with the land, the people, and most of all - the animals. As she discovers clues to the many mysteries around her, events begin to turn dangerous. Martine also discovers the gift that lies within her.

The author of The White Giraffe, Lauren St. John, also grew up on a wildlife reserve in Africa. Her books are so full of rich details that you will think you are actually in Africa! If you click on the title above, you can listen to an audio interview with the author and to excerpts from this book and its sequels Dolphin Song and The Last Leopard.