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popgoesbitty's review against another edition
3.0
CWs: animal abuse
The illustrations in the book were super cute, but DANG I was not expecting all the sad stuff! I didn't love the dog-is-kinda-human-like-but-not-really-and-can-sorta-understand-you-when-you-talk approach to the story. But alas, it is a children's novel.
The illustrations in the book were super cute, but DANG I was not expecting all the sad stuff! I didn't love the dog-is-kinda-human-like-but-not-really-and-can-sorta-understand-you-when-you-talk approach to the story. But alas, it is a children's novel.
hollyxbear's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so very cute! I love historical fiction and the fact that it involves a dog just makes it even better.
lizaroo71's review against another edition
4.0
I saw this cover at the library and what did you think I was going to do? Walk away? Come on!
It's based on a real dog, Strongheart, that was a silent film star in the 1920's. I've never heard of him. But, I'm so glad I picked this up. There are photos in the back of the real Strongheart and his owners (the director of his films and the screenwriter). He is a beautiful dog. Majestic.
It seems that only one of his movies is still available to view. I haven't watched it yet, but that's in my plans before school starts.
A quick and enjoyable read.
It's based on a real dog, Strongheart, that was a silent film star in the 1920's. I've never heard of him. But, I'm so glad I picked this up. There are photos in the back of the real Strongheart and his owners (the director of his films and the screenwriter). He is a beautiful dog. Majestic.
It seems that only one of his movies is still available to view. I haven't watched it yet, but that's in my plans before school starts.
A quick and enjoyable read.
epiphanylost86's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not going to lie to you... This book may make you cry. I picked it up and almost put it right back down less than 10 pages in. That said, push through the pain because this book is delightful. It goes to show that even the most fierce beast can be made that way by the world, and sometimes all it takes is a little TLC and lots of patience to see the real beauty and love behind a past filled with torment and confusion.
gohawks's review against another edition
2.0
I read this to help my son prepare for Battle of the Books. We all agreed that while the subject is fun and interesting, it really talks down to its audience.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
Whether you are a dog person or not, you'll love reading about Strongheart - he is quite the character. A movie star from the 1920s that was rescued from a German police station that was abusing him into submission as a police dog - Strongheart will pull on your heart strings!
krismarley's review against another edition
4.0
A darling book that could find a home in every school library with its accessibility as an illustrated novel and its great appeal as a dog story. And no talking dogs!! Because don't talk!
Admittedly, German Shepherds scare me but they have a special place in my heart because my Grandpa had them and I swear there are no less than four in my smallish neighborhood subdivision.
Admittedly, German Shepherds scare me but they have a special place in my heart because my Grandpa had them and I swear there are no less than four in my smallish neighborhood subdivision.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
4.0
I had never heard of this famous movie dog before; he starred in silent films and his career began two years before Rin Tin Tin. This book for middle grade readers is quite adorable; it's a fictionalized version of his life--trained as a police dog in Germany and then "discovered" by a Hollywood director who has to retrain him to be gentle, but he turns out to be a "natural" in front of the camera! He even had to convince a judge he was innocent when he was accused of attacking a little girl, in the most dramatic courtroom scene I've ever read in a dog book. The author's note gives more of the facts of his life, with sources. I just wish more of his films survived; there's only one still around that you can watch, "The Return of Boston Blackie." It's a hoot. The illustrations for this book are gorgeous, black and white, photo-realistic paintings that show a lot of emotion on the dog's face. Really nice book for young dog lovers and those interested in early film history, or just a good old fashioned romantic happy ending dog book.