Red Dog

by Bill Wallace

Overview

TERROR IN THE MOUNTAINS
In the rugged Wyoming territory, the red pup is Adam's best friend.
Adam and his family live in a lonely cabin in the mountains, facing the dangers of the wilderness alone. One day, Adam's stepfather announces that he must leave for a weeklong trip to Cheyenne. Adam is put in charge of the family. Everything goes smoothly until three cutthroat gold prospectors come crashing into the cabin and hold the family at gunpoint.
Late that night, Adam manages to escape. Unfortunately, the men let the red pup loose, and the one thing that dog does best is track Adam...Will the pup lead the men to Adam? And if he does, can Adam still save his family?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780689853944
Publisher:	Aladdin
Publication date:	09/01/2002
Edition description:	Original
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	405,596
Product dimensions:	5.12(w) x 7.62(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	690L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Bill Wallace grew up in Oklahoma. Along with riding their horses, he and his friends enjoyed campouts and fishing trips. Toasting marshmallows, telling ghost stories to scare one another, and catching fish was always fun. One of the most memorable trips took place on the far side of Lake Lawtonka, at the base of Mt. Scott. He and his best friend, Gary, spent the day shooting shad with bow and arrows, cutting bank poles, and getting ready to go when their dads got home from work.

Although there was no "monster" in Lake Lawtonka, one night there was a "sneak attack" by a rather large catfish tail. Checking the bank poles was not nearly as fun or "free" after that point, but it was the inspiration for this story. Bill Wallace has won nineteen children's state awards and been awarded the Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award for Children's Literature from the Oklahoma Center for the Book.

Editorial Reviews

The author of Danger on Panther Peak and A Dog Called Kitty has written another memorable story, combining strong-hearted action with a majestic setting. Ages 10-13. (June)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Gr 4-7 Twelve-year-old Adam and his family live in an isolated valley in the Wyoming Territory in the 1860s. Angry at having been forced to move from Tennessee and fiercely loyal to the memory of his dead father, Adam is an unpleasant boy whose step-father, Sam, insists that he behave responsibly. His manhood and courage are heavily tested when three thugs who want to stake a gold claim hold the family hostage while Sam is in Cheyenne filing a deed for the land. Adam escapes the cabin and leads two of the villains on a wild mountain chase during which he is both shot and knifed, the dog is badly injured, and the two villains are miraculously killed by a mountain lion. While there is a little allusion to real historical events of the period, and the characters are the stereotypes of genre fiction (including the strong silent trapper who has trouble expressing his feelings, unredeemingly evil antagonists, and solitary Indian) the magnificent setting and the rapid-fire pace of the plot will keep readers on the edge of their seats. In the tradition of great dog stories, animals and people work together, good triumphs over evil, and the family is reconciled and at peace in the end. Young readers will identify with the super-heroic Adam, feel his pain, and share his joy when his dog recovers. Historical and literary flaws will not be apparent to young readers caught up in this exciting story. Accessible language and the strong plot give the book special appeal to reluctant readers. Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie

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