ateliphobia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I will always love this book, it showcases the love between a person and their dog beautifully and how much we as humans will do to stay with our own north stars.
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident
leahegood's review against another edition
3.0
Abbie and her Shetland Sheepdog, Tam, are best friends. They are on their way home from an agility event when Tam is thrown from the back of their truck. By the time Abby returns to look for him, Tam is gone. As months go by, Abby’s family moves and Tam continues his search for “his girl”. Will they every be reunited?
This is a wonderful story told in the tradition of Lassie, Come Home. A librarian friend of mine saved it for me, thinking I might enjoy it. She was right! If you like dogs this book is definitely for you.
Read an Interview with the Author
This is a wonderful story told in the tradition of Lassie, Come Home. A librarian friend of mine saved it for me, thinking I might enjoy it. She was right! If you like dogs this book is definitely for you.
Read an Interview with the Author
ajacks's review against another edition
4.0
I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you: http://www.indiebound.org
asealey925's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published at www.apatchworkofbooks.com
11-year-old Abby and her dog, Tam, are best friends that do everything together. On a trip home from a competition with Tam, a car accident results in Abby being hospitalized and Tam's crate being thrown from their vehicle, landing somewhere in the woods by the side of the road. Abby is sick with worry and even more so when no one can find Tam.
Days turn into weeks and months and Abby doesn't give up hope. Tam, as determined as his person to make his way back home, fights against all odds to find Abby again. Their amazing tale is told from each perspective, showcasing a loyalty between species that any reader could appreciate.
Pyron created a character in Abby that middle grade readers can easily relate to. She's strong, courageous, and determined, making her an excellent role model for readers. Tam, is incredibly brave, loyal, and beautifully done as his own character.
A Dog's Way Home would make an excellent family read aloud, especially for fans of The Incredible Journey, Shiloh, or other books with strong dog characters. Highly recommended!
11-year-old Abby and her dog, Tam, are best friends that do everything together. On a trip home from a competition with Tam, a car accident results in Abby being hospitalized and Tam's crate being thrown from their vehicle, landing somewhere in the woods by the side of the road. Abby is sick with worry and even more so when no one can find Tam.
Days turn into weeks and months and Abby doesn't give up hope. Tam, as determined as his person to make his way back home, fights against all odds to find Abby again. Their amazing tale is told from each perspective, showcasing a loyalty between species that any reader could appreciate.
Pyron created a character in Abby that middle grade readers can easily relate to. She's strong, courageous, and determined, making her an excellent role model for readers. Tam, is incredibly brave, loyal, and beautifully done as his own character.
A Dog's Way Home would make an excellent family read aloud, especially for fans of The Incredible Journey, Shiloh, or other books with strong dog characters. Highly recommended!
madcat29's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jillcd's review against another edition
3.0
Another dog story told from the perspective of a girl and her dog. Good for the kids who love those dog books!
bookittome's review against another edition
5.0
All Abby needs in life is Tam, her beloved Shetland sheepdog. When the two are doing agility training, Abby doesn’t have to even speak to give cues to Tam, their relationship is that strong. But when Abby’s family is in a car accident, Tam’s crate is thrown from the truck and the two are separated by the Blue Ridge Mountains. Abby needs Tam and Tam needs Abby, and they’ll stop at nothing to find each other.
I tend to classify dog books in my own way. There are books that are about dogs and then are dog books. The latter seem to me to focus on the wonderful bond dog owners have with their animals and where the dog character is as good as real to a reader, as thoroughly imagined as any dog I might own. A Dog’s Way Home falls in that category.
This stirring and thrilling read is the perfect descendant of classic dog stories like Lad, Lassie Come Home, and The Incredible Journey. At its core is a simple story: The love of a dog and his master. I loved Abby, her spunk and good nature were so endearing, but the chapters featuring Tam’s point of view were my favorite part of this book. Each chapter’s simple prose deepened the story, including this passage below – which caused me to cry even typing it!
“He did not know that between him and the girl lay miles of rhohodendron and mountain laurel so thick a person couldn’t push through it. He could not know that it would take hours to work his way back upstream.
All he knew was she was calling. For all his years he could remember, this voice was his world, his compass. And when the person he loves most in the world calls, a dog can do nothing but go.” Chapter 6, A Dog’s Way Home.
A Dog’s Way Home is full of passages like the above. Oh this little dog goes through such peril! He’s befriended and helped along the way but each chapter you’re wondering what’s next for this sweet dog? And Abby herself grows as she grows accustomed to a new school and makes new friends. It’s perfect for middle readers (and adult readers) with just the right amount of peril, family drama, friendship issues, nature, and more.
One of the covers for Lassie Come Home
Bobbie Pyron’s novel left me sobbing after I read it in a single sitting and I was very tempted to peek at the last chapter to see how it ended. I remembered my first dog, a darling little Daschund mix named Skittle. I adored that little dog and also went through a big Lassie phase as a kid, watching hours of the tv show (and movies). A Dog’s Way Home speaks to the child in me with its adventure and the adult in me with its heart.
Be sure to notice the cover art. Isn’t it wonderful? It reminds me of one of the original covers for Lassie Come Home. ‘
I’m calling it..this book will be nominated for a Newberry.
I tend to classify dog books in my own way. There are books that are about dogs and then are dog books. The latter seem to me to focus on the wonderful bond dog owners have with their animals and where the dog character is as good as real to a reader, as thoroughly imagined as any dog I might own. A Dog’s Way Home falls in that category.
This stirring and thrilling read is the perfect descendant of classic dog stories like Lad, Lassie Come Home, and The Incredible Journey. At its core is a simple story: The love of a dog and his master. I loved Abby, her spunk and good nature were so endearing, but the chapters featuring Tam’s point of view were my favorite part of this book. Each chapter’s simple prose deepened the story, including this passage below – which caused me to cry even typing it!
“He did not know that between him and the girl lay miles of rhohodendron and mountain laurel so thick a person couldn’t push through it. He could not know that it would take hours to work his way back upstream.
All he knew was she was calling. For all his years he could remember, this voice was his world, his compass. And when the person he loves most in the world calls, a dog can do nothing but go.” Chapter 6, A Dog’s Way Home.
A Dog’s Way Home is full of passages like the above. Oh this little dog goes through such peril! He’s befriended and helped along the way but each chapter you’re wondering what’s next for this sweet dog? And Abby herself grows as she grows accustomed to a new school and makes new friends. It’s perfect for middle readers (and adult readers) with just the right amount of peril, family drama, friendship issues, nature, and more.
One of the covers for Lassie Come Home
Bobbie Pyron’s novel left me sobbing after I read it in a single sitting and I was very tempted to peek at the last chapter to see how it ended. I remembered my first dog, a darling little Daschund mix named Skittle. I adored that little dog and also went through a big Lassie phase as a kid, watching hours of the tv show (and movies). A Dog’s Way Home speaks to the child in me with its adventure and the adult in me with its heart.
Be sure to notice the cover art. Isn’t it wonderful? It reminds me of one of the original covers for Lassie Come Home. ‘
I’m calling it..this book will be nominated for a Newberry.
lilkadykitty's review against another edition
4.0
A great story of how great a dog and its owner's relationship can be.