The Bomber Dog by Megan Rix
| The Bomber Dog by Megan Rix | |
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| Category: Confident Readers | |
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Reviewer: Margaret Young
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| Summary: One for dog lovers of all ages. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 304 | Date: August 2013 |
| Publisher: Puffin | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-0141347899 | |
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Grey begins his life in occupied France, but Sabina can not bear to see him handed over to the German Army and ends up tossing the pup into a departing boat heading for Dover. We never know why the soldiers agreed to take him, perhaps refusing might have drawn attention. But for whatever reason Grey finds himself alone that night. He is befriended by a small spaniel who has become lost when a her owner was injured in an air raid. Molly's devotion to Grey will help him grow up, and he will repay his debt to her in act of courage that draws the attention of Young Nathan, a young dog lover who is just getting ready to start basic training. Nathan desperately tries to find a home for the dog, but Colonel Parry offers them a unique chance to stay with the dog that has so quickly won his heart. They can both train as paratroopers. Grey seems uniquely suited to this task with his courage and high intelligence. There is only one problem - Nathan is terrified of heights.
This book is written for younger readers. I would recommend it from ages 8+. But it still has something to offer the adult dog lover as well. Megan Rix brings the German Shepherd's best characteristics to life so perfectly, you won't be able to help but to fall in love with the dog. There is enough adventure and military life in this to suit most boys, while the animal theme will draw girls to the book as well. While not exactly a history book, it is, to the best of my knowledge historically accurate and provides a small glimpse into life during WW2, with rations, air raids and the evacuation of younger children. This is done in a subtle and natural way, so that the book does not read like an educational book, but it does educate while it entertains. The idea of dogs being parachuted into occupied France does come from fact - not fiction.
Although this is primarily a dog book, I was quite pleased with the way it represented a German soldier as well. Germany was very much the enemy in this book, and the reader is aware that even children could face severe penalties for helping the resistance. But at least one German soldier is portrayed as being kind as well. He is young man who wishes he were at home, as I'm sure many did, and loves dogs as much as his British counterpart. I prefer books that show an enemy as human as well, and this is exactly the type of book I value most in teaching my sons history. It is book that encourages tolerance and understanding, and for that I am willing to forgive a few tiny niggles.
As an adult, I did find a few aspects of the dog's behaviour unrealistic. He turned from a stray who has had no human contact since he was pup to a devoted pet in less than two days. In addition the coincidences in the story are just a bit too much to be believable. But if you can shrug that off, as I did, there is nothing to take from the enjoyment of the story, even for an adult reader. This did, in some ways remind me of my childhood spent reading Albert Terhune's dog stories, and I know as a child I would have adored this book. The only real drawback to it is it may have your child begging for a German Shepherd. I have to admit it has made me wish once more that I could have one as well.
If this book appeals the you might also enjoy:
The Puppy That Came For Christmas and Stayed Forever by Megan Rix
My Friend the Enemy by Dan Smith
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