In this blog post, I will actually give away the ending of a book. (gasp) Can it be? During the mind marathon weekend of blogging, have I actually lost all sense of decency? What could be next? Let me throw in some generic stuff at the beginning so you'll actually have to click [Read More] to be exposed. Peter Howe's first children's tale Waggit's Tale is on sale this summer through Harper Collins Childrens. You can hear him talk about his writing of this book. Peter has a delicious voice for a Sunday morning so go click a spell. Peter Howe was born in London, but has lived in New York for 30 years. His experience revolves around photography - he's authored 2 books on photography and is a former Life and New York Times Magazine picture editor. This is his happy venture into children's writing and won't be his last as the sequel Waggit Again is coming next year. Waggit is an abandoned puppy in the city park. He is adopted by a team of mutts who teach him how to survive in the wild and be part of a group. This group does not demand conformity in all things, but respects individual differences much like dogs forgive over and over our human foibles. This is a tale of growing up, but even more so it is a story of being true to yourself and resisting peer pressure. While I was reading, I could immediately picture the faces of third and fourth graders avidly listening to every word. Intended for grades 10 and up, there are some language associations that call for sophistication, but a teacher's love of the tale could easily bring this to understanding and delight for younger listeners. Peter understood this and includes a simple glossary at the end to reveal for example that luggers are carriages pulled by horses and Ruzelas are the authorities in charge. I tried passages out on third graders and they easily understood what I was referring to. One of the little boys stated that he loved listening to the way the words rolled out of my mouth and made pictures in his mind. Why do I need a spoiler? Too many times we read books about dogs where their ultimate goal is freedom and to return to the wild. While friends loved The Call of the Wild by Jack London, I never "got" it. I didn't want the dogs to be wild. I wanted them to love their masters/owners/living companions and want to be part of a part-human, part-dog, part-every pet household. I remain sad every time dogs are parted from their human soul mates. In Waggit's Tale he chooses to stay with his new human who spoils him rotten and adores him. He has experienced abuse, neglect, and learning that he has the skills to survive if needed. He has also learned about acceptance for who he is. The last two chapters of this book are outstanding. I have actually read them 3 times because they bring to culmination all the mixed-up feelings Howe inspires through the book, make a decision, and rejoice in acceptance. Expect children to need to pet their dogs at the end of this story in affirmation that their dogs are happy to be with them. My only irritation was that I wanted to go rescue one of the other dogs in this story so he could age in spoiled splendor rather than wild freedom. My choice is for companionship with humans, not the pack of only dogs. I wonder where your choices would be. This is an excellent book to add to your dog collections. If you are looking for examples of FINE descriptive language, pull out Waggit's Tale. I discussed this book with my 2 dogs and 2 cats while we curled up reading on the sofa together. Yes, they are also very spoiled. When I walked into the kitchen to ask if anyone was ready for a trip outside, they instead lined up in front of the refrigerator to remind me that there was some tuna casserole inside that might need to be disposed of by my helpful crew. I don't see them pining to get away.

-Diane Chen, School Library Journal Blog