abigailbat's review against another edition
3.0
Tom, an orphan in Newfoundland, is taken in by the Murray family who live on a small island. One day while out on a fishing trip, Tom spots a dog swimming in the sea during a storm. He insists on saving the dog and then calls him Thunder. Thunder saves the Murray family from several catastrophes and Tom loves the dog like no other. In the back of Tom's mind, though, is always the knowledge that Thunder doesn't truly belong to him. What will he do if Thunder's real owner comes back?
I found the story a bit saccharine, but there was enough adventure to forgive it. There's an earthquake and a tidal wave and a mad rush through a March snowstorm to bring Mrs. Murray across the frozen bay to a doctor. I think this book would appeal to animal lovers, especially fans of classic children's books. This might be a good one for high-reading younger kids - nothing objectionable here.
Readalike suggestions: Classic children's books like Anne of Green Gables or Black Beauty.
I found the story a bit saccharine, but there was enough adventure to forgive it. There's an earthquake and a tidal wave and a mad rush through a March snowstorm to bring Mrs. Murray across the frozen bay to a doctor. I think this book would appeal to animal lovers, especially fans of classic children's books. This might be a good one for high-reading younger kids - nothing objectionable here.
Readalike suggestions: Classic children's books like Anne of Green Gables or Black Beauty.
alylovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Took awhile , but I loved this book . I laughed , I cried , I just couldn’t get over the love of a young child and their four legged friend . A dogs love is true , it never alters .
critter's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the dog. Thunder caused me to gain an appreciation for Newfoundland breed. I have always loved reading animal fiction. Most books with an animal as a central character in it I tend to love. There are some great characters in this and great depictions of Thunder as a sled dog. I would love to read this one again to see if it stands up to my memory of it.
raben_76325's review against another edition
4.0
Book 11 of 2020. Tom is a young teenage orphan going to live with a new family. The Murrays try to make him feel welcome, but he’s struggling to fit in. Then, one day they find a dog struggling out in the sea and the dog and the boy become constant companions. This is not without turmoil though and trouble both man made and natural. Will Tom’s new home situation work out? Will he get to keep Thunder?
I read this one with my children. It’s a book I’ve never heard of before, but we found it at a library book sale and decided to give it a try. It’s surprisingly heart-warming, but at times veers into sentimentality and rigid moralism. Still, it’s an enjoyable book about about a dog and a boy both looking for a permanent home.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I read this one with my children. It’s a book I’ve never heard of before, but we found it at a library book sale and decided to give it a try. It’s surprisingly heart-warming, but at times veers into sentimentality and rigid moralism. Still, it’s an enjoyable book about about a dog and a boy both looking for a permanent home.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
nce14210's review
2.0
I found it interesting to contrast this with some of the horse books I've read lately. The horse books seem to focus on the growth of the relationship between the horse and the child. This did not do that at all. It was the story of an orphan boy trying to become part of a family. He rescues a dog who also becomes a member of the clan. The dog is a hero and a source of solace for the insecure boy. The relationships that are explored are those of the family and the community. A very interesting look at rural Newfoundland. I found the dialog a little forced at times. Maybe because I am unfamiliar with the dialect, but it just didn't feel natural to me and brought me out of the story at times.
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