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Looking for True
When two unlikely friends bond over shared compassion for a bereft but lovable dog, they learn what it truly means to find a sense of belonging and identity.
11-year-olds Gladys and Jude live in the same small rust belt town, and go to the same school, but they are definitely not friends. Gladys is a tiny, eccentric, walking dictionary who doesn't hesitate to express herself, while Jude likes to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself. But they both agree that a new dog in the neighborhood is being mistreated by its owner.
Gladys would like to do something to help while Jude is more resigned to the situation until the dog (who Gladys has named True Blue) disappears. They hatch a plan to find her and once they do, realize they have a problem: Gladys's father is allergic and Jude's mother hates dogs. There is no way they can bring her home.
They hide True Blue in an abandoned house on the edge of town, but as their ties to the dog--and to one another--deepen, so does the impossibility of keeping such a big secret. Yet giving True up will break all three of their hearts.
Told in alternating voices set in a small, rust-belt town, True Blue is a story about family, identity, and finding friends in unexpected places.
A Horn Book Fanfare Title
11-year-olds Gladys and Jude live in the same small rust belt town, and go to the same school, but they are definitely not friends. Gladys is a tiny, eccentric, walking dictionary who doesn't hesitate to express herself, while Jude likes to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself. But they both agree that a new dog in the neighborhood is being mistreated by its owner.
Gladys would like to do something to help while Jude is more resigned to the situation until the dog (who Gladys has named True Blue) disappears. They hatch a plan to find her and once they do, realize they have a problem: Gladys's father is allergic and Jude's mother hates dogs. There is no way they can bring her home.
They hide True Blue in an abandoned house on the edge of town, but as their ties to the dog--and to one another--deepen, so does the impossibility of keeping such a big secret. Yet giving True up will break all three of their hearts.
Told in alternating voices set in a small, rust-belt town, True Blue is a story about family, identity, and finding friends in unexpected places.
A Horn Book Fanfare Title
288 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2022
About the author
Tricia Springstubb
32 books147 followersSister James Bernard, my first grade teacher, taught me how to read. Our class had 60 children (yes) and we went up and down the long rows, taking turns reading aloud. There was absolutely no reading ahead, which was torture. I was always dying to know What happened next? (though with Dick and Jane, the answer was usually, Not much.) As I grew up, I began to wonder not only what happened, but why, and much much later,inhabiting other people's stories wasn't enough. I began to make my own.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 19, 2023
3.5 stars
Two kids from very different backgrounds work together, caring for an abandoned dog. The trick is keeping this a secret from their parents…
Reminded me of an old book from the 70’s which I loved growing up, “Hotel For Dogs” by Lois Duncan. In that one, a brother and sister team up to keep some dogs in an abandoned house, rather than put them in a shelter.
I find it interesting that in almost every book or show which features a child of adoption, like Gladys, there is a point they reach where they wonder if the adoptive parents have regrets. Even back as far as the 60’s show, “Family Affair”, the children often wondered if they would be separated again.
Good middle-grade read, and any dog-lover would enjoy this one.
Two kids from very different backgrounds work together, caring for an abandoned dog. The trick is keeping this a secret from their parents…
Reminded me of an old book from the 70’s which I loved growing up, “Hotel For Dogs” by Lois Duncan. In that one, a brother and sister team up to keep some dogs in an abandoned house, rather than put them in a shelter.
I find it interesting that in almost every book or show which features a child of adoption, like Gladys, there is a point they reach where they wonder if the adoptive parents have regrets. Even back as far as the 60’s show, “Family Affair”, the children often wondered if they would be separated again.
Good middle-grade read, and any dog-lover would enjoy this one.
November 7, 2022
My granddaughter just entered the land of double digits and I bought her Tricia Springstubb's new book, Looking for True, to mark the occasion. But I had to enjoy it myself first. I began True in the middle of the night, when I couldn't sleep, then finished it the next day. So much to admire and inspire! Great, highly realistic characters with aching, hopeful, imperfect hearts! I started weeping when Gladys asked her adoptive father if it was possible that he and her mother picked the wrong kid to adopt, and blubbered my way off and on to the magnificent end. And of course, there is a dog.
Such a good book, friends.
Such a good book, friends.
March 6, 2023
This book was very good and I would recommend it to so many people. I really like the writing style and all the characters and the plot and the cover art.
October 31, 2022
A huge thanks to Holiday House for my complimentary copy all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
The book tells the story of two eleven year old's (Gladys and Jude) who are so different but come from the same town. Gladys is an expressive butterfly while Jude prefers to keep words to themselves but two unlikely people always make the best of peers. Their love for Pookie who they think is being mistreated brings them to work together and hopefully become friends. The book is told in alternating voices and touches on self -expression, teamwork, friendship , family and beliefs. Looking for True can inspire the best of us to search within for the goodness that we all have and we must all read it.
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The book tells the story of two eleven year old's (Gladys and Jude) who are so different but come from the same town. Gladys is an expressive butterfly while Jude prefers to keep words to themselves but two unlikely people always make the best of peers. Their love for Pookie who they think is being mistreated brings them to work together and hopefully become friends. The book is told in alternating voices and touches on self -expression, teamwork, friendship , family and beliefs. Looking for True can inspire the best of us to search within for the goodness that we all have and we must all read it.
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October 24, 2022
I really liked this book because it showed a lot about friendship and bravery. First of all, I really like books about dogs and when they were sneaking out to go her True it made me feel good. The book also had a lot of friendship-related drama. I loved the way that in the end Jude and Gladys became friends and hung out a lot. Last but not least, I love a book with a good ending and when Mr. Peters takes True for the kids it made me happy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Jude's mother works long hours as a nursing assistant, so he frequently has to babysit his younger brother, Silas, whom they call Spider because of his prediliction for climbing things. He and his best friend, Jabari, have a secret fort across town that they use to escape their families. Gladys also has to put up with small children, but mainly because her adoptive mother, Ms. Suza, babysits in the home. When her assistant quits at the beginning of summer break, Gladys finds herself pitching in to help a lot. Things are hard because her father lost his job at a local factory and has been working as a docent in a reconstructed historical village. Gladys is somewhat small for her age, and she and Jude meet when they see a dog being mistreated. Gladys has always wanted a dog, but Jude is not necessarily a fan. When the two save the dog from a man who is mistreating it, they hide the dog, whom Gladys calls True Blue (the mean owners referred to the dog as Pookie), in the secret fort. They end up spending a lot of time together; Jude is not allowed to take Spider to the fort because he was injured there, and since Gladys has a way with "sprouts", she often watches him while Jude cares for the dog. Gladys is jealous that True seems to have bonded with Jude instead of with her, and Jude doesn't understand why Ms. Suza's methods of dealing with small children are so much more effective than his own. Neither family is prepared to have a dog live with them, and the children know that eventually something will have to be done with True. When Jude's mother loses her job, his aunt Jewel is willing to help, but the mother accept it? Jude and Gladys find that they have more in common than they think, and must work together to take care of True, who has become dependent on them.
Strengths: I adored the depiction of Jude and Gladys' families. Springstubb is an Ohio author, which might be why the characters and the setting seemed so realistic to me! There are a lot of my students who are often responsible for younger siblings, but I haven't seen this depicted much in middle grade literature. I also liked that Gladys was adopted, and while this doesn't figure largely in her life, does cause her to ask questions occasionally. The in home babysitting was also interesting; I know several women in my neighborhood who have been doing this for years. It was also realistic to show a dog being mistreated, unfortunately, and I was glad that this was not too graphic. The story moved along quickly and was quite intriguing.
Weaknesses: While I understand why Jude and Gladys didn't immediately take the dog to a shelter (they even researched no kill shelters online), it made me a bit uncomfortable as a parent that they were caring for the dog on their own. It's realistic-- my daughter once caught a stray cat and kept it in her closet for a day and a half-- but still not a great idea.
What I really think: I liked this one but wish it had been geared towards slightly older readers. It would have been interesting to see more of Jabari, and it would not have hurt my feelings if there had been a romance between Jude and Gladys. This felt a bit like Vrabel's Caleb and Kit.
Jude's mother works long hours as a nursing assistant, so he frequently has to babysit his younger brother, Silas, whom they call Spider because of his prediliction for climbing things. He and his best friend, Jabari, have a secret fort across town that they use to escape their families. Gladys also has to put up with small children, but mainly because her adoptive mother, Ms. Suza, babysits in the home. When her assistant quits at the beginning of summer break, Gladys finds herself pitching in to help a lot. Things are hard because her father lost his job at a local factory and has been working as a docent in a reconstructed historical village. Gladys is somewhat small for her age, and she and Jude meet when they see a dog being mistreated. Gladys has always wanted a dog, but Jude is not necessarily a fan. When the two save the dog from a man who is mistreating it, they hide the dog, whom Gladys calls True Blue (the mean owners referred to the dog as Pookie), in the secret fort. They end up spending a lot of time together; Jude is not allowed to take Spider to the fort because he was injured there, and since Gladys has a way with "sprouts", she often watches him while Jude cares for the dog. Gladys is jealous that True seems to have bonded with Jude instead of with her, and Jude doesn't understand why Ms. Suza's methods of dealing with small children are so much more effective than his own. Neither family is prepared to have a dog live with them, and the children know that eventually something will have to be done with True. When Jude's mother loses her job, his aunt Jewel is willing to help, but the mother accept it? Jude and Gladys find that they have more in common than they think, and must work together to take care of True, who has become dependent on them.
Strengths: I adored the depiction of Jude and Gladys' families. Springstubb is an Ohio author, which might be why the characters and the setting seemed so realistic to me! There are a lot of my students who are often responsible for younger siblings, but I haven't seen this depicted much in middle grade literature. I also liked that Gladys was adopted, and while this doesn't figure largely in her life, does cause her to ask questions occasionally. The in home babysitting was also interesting; I know several women in my neighborhood who have been doing this for years. It was also realistic to show a dog being mistreated, unfortunately, and I was glad that this was not too graphic. The story moved along quickly and was quite intriguing.
Weaknesses: While I understand why Jude and Gladys didn't immediately take the dog to a shelter (they even researched no kill shelters online), it made me a bit uncomfortable as a parent that they were caring for the dog on their own. It's realistic-- my daughter once caught a stray cat and kept it in her closet for a day and a half-- but still not a great idea.
What I really think: I liked this one but wish it had been geared towards slightly older readers. It would have been interesting to see more of Jabari, and it would not have hurt my feelings if there had been a romance between Jude and Gladys. This felt a bit like Vrabel's Caleb and Kit.
November 28, 2023
87%
"When you're a sprout you think growing up id going to be the best thing. Your life will just keep getting better an better [...] then one day, everything gets complicated. All of a sudden it's like you're looking into one of those three-way mirrors they have in stores. You see parts of yourself that you never did before. Still, there they are. And they are you, whether you like it or not."
With kid/middle grade books, you pretty much always know there's going to be some sort of positive resolution (with a few rare exceptions from authors who want to depress and jade the children). You'd think being able to predict the ending would ruin it, but a well-written story grabs hold of you and just won't let go, and that's exactly what this one does. It was a tad slow to get going, but setting up two perspectives takes time, and it was well worth it; it was easy to become invested in Jude and Gladys' lives, and I hated putting the book down when I finally had to go to sleep.
"A saint everyone said. That Ms Suza is a saint. Gladys used to love hearing that. She was proud of her mother and longed to be just like her. Lately, though. Lately, she wasn't so sure. Mama said if you looked for the good in others you'd be sure to find it, but Gladys couldn't help noticing their faults."
"Once you could name something, you owned it, in a way. You possessed a kind of power over it. Whatever that thing was, it couldn't confuse or scare you, not once you knew its definition."
"Sophie needed to state facts, even obvious ones, as if to make sure that what was true yesterday sill held true today. The world was so new to them, they thought anything could happen anytime."
"When you're a sprout you think growing up id going to be the best thing. Your life will just keep getting better an better [...] then one day, everything gets complicated. All of a sudden it's like you're looking into one of those three-way mirrors they have in stores. You see parts of yourself that you never did before. Still, there they are. And they are you, whether you like it or not."
"You know what I hate? How adults tell you life's not fair, so you better get used to it. Next second, they do a 180. They say, you can be whatever you want to be. Just follow your dream and it'll come true. Like what? How can those both be true?"
"When you're a sprout you think growing up id going to be the best thing. Your life will just keep getting better an better [...] then one day, everything gets complicated. All of a sudden it's like you're looking into one of those three-way mirrors they have in stores. You see parts of yourself that you never did before. Still, there they are. And they are you, whether you like it or not."
With kid/middle grade books, you pretty much always know there's going to be some sort of positive resolution (with a few rare exceptions from authors who want to depress and jade the children). You'd think being able to predict the ending would ruin it, but a well-written story grabs hold of you and just won't let go, and that's exactly what this one does. It was a tad slow to get going, but setting up two perspectives takes time, and it was well worth it; it was easy to become invested in Jude and Gladys' lives, and I hated putting the book down when I finally had to go to sleep.
"A saint everyone said. That Ms Suza is a saint. Gladys used to love hearing that. She was proud of her mother and longed to be just like her. Lately, though. Lately, she wasn't so sure. Mama said if you looked for the good in others you'd be sure to find it, but Gladys couldn't help noticing their faults."
"Once you could name something, you owned it, in a way. You possessed a kind of power over it. Whatever that thing was, it couldn't confuse or scare you, not once you knew its definition."
"Sophie needed to state facts, even obvious ones, as if to make sure that what was true yesterday sill held true today. The world was so new to them, they thought anything could happen anytime."
"When you're a sprout you think growing up id going to be the best thing. Your life will just keep getting better an better [...] then one day, everything gets complicated. All of a sudden it's like you're looking into one of those three-way mirrors they have in stores. You see parts of yourself that you never did before. Still, there they are. And they are you, whether you like it or not."
"You know what I hate? How adults tell you life's not fair, so you better get used to it. Next second, they do a 180. They say, you can be whatever you want to be. Just follow your dream and it'll come true. Like what? How can those both be true?"
January 27, 2023
This delightful middle-grade novel featuring two likeable protagonists who couldn't be more different from one another is a 3.5 for me. Eleven-year-old Gladys, who is adopted, is short, talkative, and reflective, wondering about questions youngsters her age don't ask while Jude, also eleven, is quiet, loves trees, and very aware of the tight budget under which his family subsists. He's also often responsible for the caretaking of his little brother. As is the case for many readers, young and old, I'm a sucker for any book featuring a dog or a cat, especially one that is need of tender, loving care. In this case the dog, brings the two youngsters together when they notice how its depressed owner mistreats it, and Gladys comes up with a plan to keep the dog she names True Blue hidden after the animal runs away until they can figure out a better solution. But hiding and caring for True Blue is much more complicated than the two youngsters imagined, and there is food to be bought, and a place to keep True Blue. Even as the bond between Gladys and Jude grows stronger, it's threatened when a large reward is offered for True Blue's return. In a perfect world, True Blue could find a new home with either of them, but that simply isn't possible. Still, there are others in their community who are willing to open up their hearts and homes. The author immerses readers in the separate worlds of Gladys and Jude by telling the story through alternating voices and allowing them to see into the characters' hearts. While it's clear that opening one's heart to life's possibilities, including a new friendship to replace an old one that no longer fits, also means facing the likelihood of being hurt or disappointed, it's also worth taking those risks. This story also effectively describes a town that's on the down and out due to the collapse of the automotive industry and the harsh economic struggles its residents face and how that depression can seep into all phases of their lives. The opening scene in which Jude's mother takes out her frustration on the pine tree he has planted and tenderly nurtured demonstrates this vividly. Readers looking for characters that are true to life and deserve to have happy endings will find them in this well-written novel.
July 8, 2022
When a book causes me to completely ignore needed chores, skip cooking dinner and tearful at the end, it absolutely gets a rare 5-star rating from me. Gladys, friendless, adopted and feeling a bit nervous about her parents changing their mind about her, and Jude, a poor kid with no friends and an overworked and somewhat neglectful mom, team up to rescue a neglected dog named Pookie. Along the way, much changes: Jude finds more than just 1 friend, begins to recognize his own strengths, and helps his mom find some confidence and peace; Gladys is reaffirmed as a chosen and wholly loved daughter plus develops a friendship that is sure to last. Author Tricia Springstubb wow’ed me with The Most Perfect Thing in the Universe and has also written the regularly circulated in my libraries “Cody” series, but this one had me thoroughly engrossed and yearning for Gladys and Jude to find some joy and for Pookie to stop being so afraid. Middle grade readers in grades 4-7 will also connect deeply to the the heartfelt desires of Gladys and Jude and will close the book satisfied with the warm conclusion. Highly recommended for libraries with strong readership in the “sad-happy heartwarmer” type books by Barbara O’Connor, Joan Bauer, Lisa Graff, and maybe even Jordan Sonnenblick (although his are a little grittier than Springstubb’s works). No profanity, sexual content, or violence except for the neglect and rough treatment of Pookie.
Thanks for sharing a print arc with Twitter arc-sharing group #BookAllies, Tricia and Holiday House Books.
Thanks for sharing a print arc with Twitter arc-sharing group #BookAllies, Tricia and Holiday House Books.
July 30, 2022
Thank you to the author and publisher for sharing an early copy with #bookexpedition.
Eleven year old Jude and Gladys are not friends. They may live in the same small town and go to the same school, but they are as different as can be. Gladys is an only child and has a love of words and a large vocabulary which she uses to express herself. Jude prefers to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself, too busy worrying about taking care of his younger brother Spider while his mom works. Their paths don’t cross, until…
Meet Pookie. A dog with a crooked tail and true blue eyes. Both Jude and Gladys suspect that the dog is being mistreated by her owners. Tugging at their hearts, when Pookie runs away, both Jude and Gladys craft a plan to find her. Hiding her in an abandon house across the tracks, Jude and Gladys weigh their options, searching for the best permanent solution. Things are bleak, as Gladys’s dad is allergic to dogs and Jude’s mom hates them. As their ties to the dog deepen, Jude and Gladys’s growing friendship is tested when a monetary award is offered for the “missing” dog.
Told in alternating voices, this middle grade novel with themes of family, friendship and teamwork reminds readers of the joy that can be found when we open our hearts and trust to others.
Preorder now. Publishing in November 2022.
Eleven year old Jude and Gladys are not friends. They may live in the same small town and go to the same school, but they are as different as can be. Gladys is an only child and has a love of words and a large vocabulary which she uses to express herself. Jude prefers to keep his thoughts and feelings to himself, too busy worrying about taking care of his younger brother Spider while his mom works. Their paths don’t cross, until…
Meet Pookie. A dog with a crooked tail and true blue eyes. Both Jude and Gladys suspect that the dog is being mistreated by her owners. Tugging at their hearts, when Pookie runs away, both Jude and Gladys craft a plan to find her. Hiding her in an abandon house across the tracks, Jude and Gladys weigh their options, searching for the best permanent solution. Things are bleak, as Gladys’s dad is allergic to dogs and Jude’s mom hates them. As their ties to the dog deepen, Jude and Gladys’s growing friendship is tested when a monetary award is offered for the “missing” dog.
Told in alternating voices, this middle grade novel with themes of family, friendship and teamwork reminds readers of the joy that can be found when we open our hearts and trust to others.
Preorder now. Publishing in November 2022.
November 11, 2022
Tricia Springstubb never disappoints. Her writing is so rich that the setting and characters never fail to come alive.
When Gladys and Jude connect over a sad little dog who needs some love, it turns out it wasn't just the dog who needed something. Sometimes people can surprise you. And sometimes, the things we see as our biggest failings are really our greatest strengths.
This book is full of disappointments and relatable situations. But it's also full of hope and good advice. It's full of characters who are perfectly imperfect, and I savored every page. The point of view switches between Gladys and Jude, and wow, I hurt for both of them. But even through the hard things, and the bad choices, I was rooting for them both to find what they needed as they plowed forward as best they could.
A book worth enjoying again and again. Highly recommend!
When Gladys and Jude connect over a sad little dog who needs some love, it turns out it wasn't just the dog who needed something. Sometimes people can surprise you. And sometimes, the things we see as our biggest failings are really our greatest strengths.
This book is full of disappointments and relatable situations. But it's also full of hope and good advice. It's full of characters who are perfectly imperfect, and I savored every page. The point of view switches between Gladys and Jude, and wow, I hurt for both of them. But even through the hard things, and the bad choices, I was rooting for them both to find what they needed as they plowed forward as best they could.
A book worth enjoying again and again. Highly recommend!
November 23, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for let me read this ebook in exchange of an honest review.
Una historia muy tierna, de esas que es bueno leer de vez en cuando para alegrar el corazón.
Looking for True, nos cuenta la historia desde el punto de vista de dos chicos de entre 12 y 13 años. Gladis, quien ama el correcto uso de las palabras y sus curiosos significados, y Jude un pequeño que prefiere no hablar tanto, desea que su madre de enorgullezca de él y trata de madurar a la fuerza por ello.
A estos chicos los reunirá Pookie, una perrita que necesita de alguien que le brinde amor y cuidado. ¿Podrán hacerlo estos niños tan distintos? Pues les va a costar bastante, tener una mascota sin que en tu casa te den permiso de tenerla, es complicado. Y todo se complica más aún cuando esa mascota le pertenece a alguien más.
Los invito a leer este viaje de amistad, cariño, responsabilidad, y fuertes lazos familiares. Lo recomiendo mucho.
Una historia muy tierna, de esas que es bueno leer de vez en cuando para alegrar el corazón.
Looking for True, nos cuenta la historia desde el punto de vista de dos chicos de entre 12 y 13 años. Gladis, quien ama el correcto uso de las palabras y sus curiosos significados, y Jude un pequeño que prefiere no hablar tanto, desea que su madre de enorgullezca de él y trata de madurar a la fuerza por ello.
A estos chicos los reunirá Pookie, una perrita que necesita de alguien que le brinde amor y cuidado. ¿Podrán hacerlo estos niños tan distintos? Pues les va a costar bastante, tener una mascota sin que en tu casa te den permiso de tenerla, es complicado. Y todo se complica más aún cuando esa mascota le pertenece a alguien más.
Los invito a leer este viaje de amistad, cariño, responsabilidad, y fuertes lazos familiares. Lo recomiendo mucho.
May 15, 2024
Goodness. Gracious. This middle grade book about friendship, bravery, difficult home lives, and the love of a dog is so, so lovely. Five stars!
- - - - -
"The way people act-it's not always how they feel. And what people say-it's not always what they mean."
“(He) was always putting hot sauce on his stories.”
“People could be stricken with illness or sorrow, but also with love.”
“She couldn’t help that she was changing into someone else. That she’d already changed.”
“She’d picked him up and crushed him against her so hard, it was like her crying was inside his own chest.”
“Sometimes anger’s more hopeful than sadness.”
*let your happy out*
- - - - -
"The way people act-it's not always how they feel. And what people say-it's not always what they mean."
“(He) was always putting hot sauce on his stories.”
“People could be stricken with illness or sorrow, but also with love.”
“She couldn’t help that she was changing into someone else. That she’d already changed.”
“She’d picked him up and crushed him against her so hard, it was like her crying was inside his own chest.”
“Sometimes anger’s more hopeful than sadness.”
*let your happy out*
June 23, 2023
I thought this was a terrific entry, with great appeal for dog lovers and tweens dealing with family issues. (And really what tween doesn't have some family issues?) The engaging plot, which includes characters who show a lot of growth throughout the book, uses humor and pathos to reach a really winning finale.
October 28, 2022
This is a really lovely book! I adored Jude and Gladys and their friendship. I really liked the family dynamics, we see a single mother and a family that adopted. I liked the look at adoption and the doubts Gladys had and how her family reassured her.
Our sweet dog, True Blue/Pookie, brings them all together.
A beautiful story of friendship and family.
Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!
Our sweet dog, True Blue/Pookie, brings them all together.
A beautiful story of friendship and family.
Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!
November 17, 2022
Yes, I am the author and my mother taught me never to blow my own horn but speaking of horns.....Here are a few lovely words from the starred Horn Book review: "The writing is fresh, sharp and authentic...It's Because of Winn-Dixie for a new generation." (blushes and steals away)
March 5, 2023
Loved the dual points of view.
March 22, 2023
Cute story about friendship and maturing.
April 25, 2023
I love the truth of Tricia Springstubb's characters. She never disappoints.
June 23, 2023
As always with this author, truth wrapped within beautiful writing.
September 19, 2023
I loved this book!!! it was a very heart warming book about to very unalike people coming together and bonding over something so sweet.
February 20, 2024
A lot of different feelings in this book. Glad my griece suggested. Hope to share with our grands.
August 16, 2023
I read this aloud with granddaughter, aged 10, only on the weekends so it took some time. We had no trouble picking up where we left off! Wonderful alternating chapters of the two main characters. The plot is engaging, my reading buddy immediately checked to see if it has a sequel when we finished. I attended the Ohioana Book Festival in Columbus and listened to the author at a panel discussion. she was very interesting. We will definitely try something else by her.
August 26, 2023
“Gladys knew the dog had an emptiness inside, too, a wordless place aching to be filled with light and warmth.”
Jude and Gladys don't seem like they would get along. Jude is a big-for-his-age kid who is spending the summer taking care of his little brother, Silas, because his mom is working all the time. Gladys is a smaller-than-usual girl with big ideas, whose mother runs a daycare. Gladys can sometimes come off as annoying even to her friends like Chickie.
So what brings this pair together? A dog. “An engine of joy, that’s what a dog was.” This dog seems to have an owner that doesn't treat it very well and Gladys thinks that something should be done. After all, she's already named the dog True Blue. Gladys feels that the dog deserves to be loved (is she projecting some of her own feelings?) Before he knows it, Jude is involved, too. It's hard to say "No" to Gladys, after all. She's just so persistent.
Together, as the two try to solve the dog's problem, they come to grips with some of their own issues.
Jude and Gladys don't seem like they would get along. Jude is a big-for-his-age kid who is spending the summer taking care of his little brother, Silas, because his mom is working all the time. Gladys is a smaller-than-usual girl with big ideas, whose mother runs a daycare. Gladys can sometimes come off as annoying even to her friends like Chickie.
So what brings this pair together? A dog. “An engine of joy, that’s what a dog was.” This dog seems to have an owner that doesn't treat it very well and Gladys thinks that something should be done. After all, she's already named the dog True Blue. Gladys feels that the dog deserves to be loved (is she projecting some of her own feelings?) Before he knows it, Jude is involved, too. It's hard to say "No" to Gladys, after all. She's just so persistent.
Together, as the two try to solve the dog's problem, they come to grips with some of their own issues.
January 19, 2023
This is a lovely story that doesn't shy away from telling what's 'true.' I am a sucker for middle grade book featuring a dog (because most of the time I can count on the dog to make it to the end of the book, not always the case with adult reads). I went into this book not quite knowing what to expect and was impressed by some of the themes and storylines Springstubb tackled. That being said, I'd recommend pre-reading if you or your child are sensitive to any of these topics: animal abuse/neglect, a parentified child/single parent household, mentions of military/combat, children in dangerous situations, and adoption. This could be a really great family read together, as it would spark great discussion, but if your child is reading solo I'd recommend it for upper elementary and middle school. Tough in places, but very good and very hopeful!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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