Synopses & Reviews
andlt;Bandgt;Tom buried his face against the dog's wet fur. This was the beautiful Newfoundland dog he'd dreamed about, and now that he was really here, Tom didn't want to give him up....andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; It's 1929 and thirteen-year-old Tom Campbell has always wanted a real family in a real house and a dog of his very own. Since he was three years old, the only home Tom has known is the Mission orphanage on the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland. Now he's being sent far away to live and work with fisherman Enoch Murray and his wife, Fiona, on Back o' the Moon Island. andlt;BRandgt; So, Tom is amazed when, on his first time in the fishing boat and in the middle of a squall, he rescues a Newfoundland dog who seems to have come out of nowhere. Tom names the dog andlt;Iandgt;Thunder.andlt;/Iandgt; With no one to claim him, the dog fast becomes Tom's loyal and constant companion. When an earthquake strikes the area, Thunder proves himself invaluable to the family and the island, saving lives and warning of imminent danger -- and it seems that Tom and Thunder might andlt;Iandgt;bothandlt;/Iandgt; have a place with the Murray family. andlt;BRandgt; But then Fiona becomes pregnant with her first child, and it looks like Thunder's owner might be found. Tom's wonderful, new world is being turned upside down. Will the Murrays still want Tom? And will Tom be forced to give up his beloved Thunder? andlt;BRandgt; From the author of the best-selling and award-winning andlt;Iandgt;Star in the Stormandlt;/Iandgt; comes this thrilling adventure tale about family, loyalty, and the special bond between a lonely young boy and a remarkable dog -- a story that will leave readers cheering.
Synopsis
A boy builds a life-changing bond with his dog in this adventure story from the author of Star in the Storm.
It's 1929, and thirteen-year-old Tom Campbell has always wanted a real family with a real house and a dog of his very own. Since he was three years old, the only home he has ever known has been the Mission orphanage.
When he is sent to live and work with fisherman Enoch and his wife, Tom finally sees his dream within reach. And when he rescues a Newfoundland dog in the middle of a terrifying squall, Tom feels as if both he and the dog, which he names Thunder, have found a place to call home at last.
But when Enoch's wife becomes pregnant and it looks like Thunder's owner might be found, Tom's wonderful new world is turned upside down. Will the Murrays still want Tom? And will Tom be forced to give up his beloved Thunder?
Synopsis
A boy builds a life-changing bond with his dog in this adventure story from the author of andlt;iandgt;Star in the Stormandlt;/iandgt;.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Itand#8217;s 1929, and thirteen-year-old Tom Campbell has always wanted a real family with a real house and a dog of his very own. Since he was three years old, the only home he has ever known has been the Mission orphanage.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;When he is sent to live and work with fisherman Enoch and his wife, Tom finally sees his dream within reach. And when he rescues a Newfoundland dog in the middle of a terrifying squall, Tom feels as if both he and the dog, which he names Thunder, have found a place to call home at last.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;But when Enochand#8217;s wife becomes pregnant and it looks like Thunderand#8217;s owner might be found, Tomand#8217;s wonderful new world is turned upside down. Will the Murrays still want Tom? And will Tom be forced to give up his beloved Thunder?
About the Author
Joan Hiatt Harlow is the author of several popular historical novels on the McElderry list, including andlt;iandgt;Secret of the Night Poniesandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Shadows on the Seaandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Midnight Riderandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Star in the Stormandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Joshuaandrsquo;s Songandlt;/iandgt;, and andlt;iandgt;Thunder from the Seaandlt;/iandgt;. Ms. Harlow lives in Venice, Florida. For more information, visit her at JoanHiattHarlow.com.
Reading Group Guide
ABOUT THE BOOK Tom Campbell, a thirteen-year-old orphan, travels to Back o'the Moon Island to live with Enoch and Fiona Murray in 1929. After he rescues a young Newfoundland dog, Thunder, during a storm, his life seems nearly perfect until trouble with his neighbors and the impending birth of a new baby threaten to change everything.
THEMES
Orphans; Dogs; Family life; Newfoundland and Labrador
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Why did Enoch and Fiona like living on this remote island? What did it offer that they couldn't find in town?
Why would Enoch want to be in partnership with Amos? Why was it difficult? How would you deal with a partner like Amos?
What is "jannie talk"? Why do Mummers use it? What is "cheek music"? What is it used for?
Why did the earthquake cause a tidal wave? How might Thunder have sensed it before the people?
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES
This is a fictional story of a dog who is a hero. Find some examples of real animal heroes and report on the ways dogs can help people. How can a dog's senses make a difference in detecting an emergency or saving a person?
Look at an atlas of Canada and look for small islands like Back o'the Moon. Where are some real islands? What can you discover about the people that live there?
Research real earthquakes and tsunamis and the current attempts to create early warning systems.
This reading group guide is for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.
Prepared by Arlene Wiler
© William Allen White Children's Book Award
Please visit http://www.emporia.edu/libsv/wawbookaward/ for more information about the awards and to see curriculum guides for other master list titles.