Duke

In 1944 Seattle, eleven-year-old Hobie Hanson faces the harsh realities of World War II on the home front. When his father deploys to Europe as a pilot, Hobie must step up to help his family while grappling with constant worry about his dad's safety. Hobie learns about Dogs for Defense, a program where civilians donate their pets to the military war effort as training candidates. Despite his deep bond with his German shepherd Duke, Hobie begins to consider whether offering his beloved dog to serve could help bring his father home sooner. As Hobie navigates his father's absence and the possibility of sacrificing his closest companion, he discovers what it means to make difficult choices in challenging times. The story tracks his journey through family obligations, friendship challenges, and the complex emotions of wartime separation. This middle-grade historical novel examines themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and coming-of-age against the backdrop of World War II America. Through Hobie's experiences, readers gain perspective on how war impacts families and communities far from the front lines.

Readers find Duke to be an engaging middle-grade historical fiction book that connects World War II events to a boy's relationship with his dog. Readers appreciated: - The accurate historical details about the Dogs for Defense program - The emotional depth of the main character's sacrifice - How it teaches young readers about WWII home front life - The inclusion of real photos and facts at the book's end Common criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few readers wanted more action scenes - Several mentioned predictable plot elements Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (90+ ratings) Scholastic: 4.5/5 (50+ ratings) One teacher noted: "My students were invested in Hobie's story and learned about a lesser-known aspect of WWII." A parent reviewer wrote: "The book handles complex themes about loyalty and sacrifice in a way kids can understand."

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🐕 During World War II, families really did donate their dogs to the military through the Dogs for Defense program, which trained over 10,000 dogs for service. 📚 Author Kirby Larson was inspired to write Duke after discovering a photograph of a young boy turning his German shepherd over to the military during WWII. 🎖️ The U.S. military K9 Corps was officially established on March 13, 1942, and dogs were trained for various roles including sentry duty, scout work, and message carrying. 🏡 When military dogs were returned to their families after the war, many had difficulty readjusting to civilian life, similar to human veterans. ✍️ Kirby Larson is also known for her Newbery Honor Book "Hattie Big Sky," and she extensively researches historical details for all her novels to ensure accuracy.