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CRAIG & FRED YOUNG READERS' EDITION

Name: CRAIG & FRED YOUNG READERS' EDITION
Author: Craig Grossi
ISBN: 978-0-06-269335-8

A MARINE, A STRAY DOG, AND HOW THEY RESCUED EACH OTHER

by Craig Grossi ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 31, 2017

Positive, encouraging, and inspirational.

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During his second mission in Afghanistan, Marine Corps intelligence collector Craig Grossi makes a discovery that changes everything.

In between attacks on his unit’s compound, Craig spots a dog searching the ruins for scraps of food. Although it’s filthy and bug-ridden, the little dog is joyful and friendly. In no time he has a name—Fred—and is accompanying the team on patrols, comforting the wounded, and winning the hearts of every Marine in the compound. As their tour draws to a close, Craig is desperate to rescue Fred from the war zone. The military’s rule on stray dogs is unflinching, but with the help of brave friends and loving family, both Craig and Fred return to the United States. Fred acclimates nicely to civilian life, but Craig cannot leave the war behind. Once again Fred’s boundless joy shines through, showing Craig the way back home. More than just a story of a man and his dog, this is a tale of joy eclipsing pain. Even in this young readers’ adaptation of his identically titled 2017 book for adults, Grossi’s portrayal of war is realistic. Death, violence, and fear are a constant in the battlefield, but Grossi manages to find humor in the midst of horror and life after loss. Several pages of snapshots of Fred are included at the book’s halfway point, and brief celebrations of two of Grossi’s slain comrades in arms appear at the end.

Positive, encouraging, and inspirational. (Memoir. 11-14)

Pub Date: Oct. 31, 2017

ISBN: 978-0-06-269335-8

Page Count: 256

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2017

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S HISTORY

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A GUIDE TO GRIEF

by Cole Imperi ; illustrated by Bianca Jagoe ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 2024

Potentially useful insights for youngsters encountering loss.

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Advice on coping with loss, from the death of a family member or a close friend to a beloved pet’s demise to life-changing events such as divorce.

Imperi, a chaplain and thanatologist (“someone who knows about death, dying, grief and loss”), uses her own terminology to distinguish between “deathloss” (“when a person or an animal we love dies”) and “shadowloss” (“the death of something, not someone”). These categories make sense, but kids grieving the death of a loved one may find it difficult to wade through sections about other serious problems. Although the recent pandemic caused many actual deaths, this book describes Covid as a shadowloss, a disrupter of normal life. Imperi mentions a few religious traditions, but the book is primarily concerned with practical ideas and individual experiences. Specific thinking, writing, and creative exercises for moving through the grief process are included. She spotlights five diverse teens, along with their coping strategies for different types of loss; they appear to be composite portraits rather than real individuals. The black-and-white line illustrations and charts throughout will appeal to some, but the boxed affirmations on many pages may feel repetitive to others; the work overall feels a bit like an expanded magazine article. Still, patient readers will likely find guidance—and reassurance.

Potentially useful insights for youngsters encountering loss. (grief journal, glossary, note for caregivers, resources, references, index) (Nonfiction. 11-14)

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024

ISBN: 9781525309656

Page Count: 200

Publisher: Kids Can

Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2024

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE

A GUIDE TO SURVIVING DIVORCE FOR PRETEENS AND THEIR FAMILIES

by Janet Bode & Stan Mack ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2001

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As in their previous collaborations (Colors of Freedom, Voices of Rape, not reviewed), Bode and Mack portray an issue through the voices of children and adults affected by it. Bode (recently deceased) interviewed preteens, their parents, and adult experts, and organized their responses into parts "For Girls and Boys" and "For Parents." In sections with titles like "Public Recognition" or "What's in Your Heart," her text, addressed directly to the reader, synthesizes many of the responses in a way that should comfort and challenge young and adult readers. At least half of the book is comprised of responses she gathered from her survey, some of which are illustrated in strips by Mack. The result is an engagingly designed book, with questions and topics in bold type so that readers can browse for the recognition they may be looking for. They will need to browse, as there is no index, and young readers will certainly be tempted by the "For Parents" section, and vice versa. A bibliography (with two Spanish titles) and list of Web resources (with mostly live links) will help them seek out more information. They may well have other questions—especially having to do with parents' sexuality—which they don't find answered here, but this is a fine and encouraging place to start. (print and on-line resources) (Non-fiction. 9-13)