Buddy

by M.H. Herlong

Overview

In the tradition of Old Yeller, classic boy-and-dog tale set against the events of Hurrican Katrina.

Tyrone "Li'l T" Roberts meets Buddy when his family's car accidentally hits the stray dog on their way to church. Buddy turns out to be the dog Li'l T's always wished for—until Hurricane Katrina comes to New Orleans and he must leave Buddy behind. After the storm, Li'l T and his father return home to find a community struggling to rebuild their lives—and Buddy gone. But Li'l T refuses to give up his quest to find his best friend. From the author of the BBYA Top Ten selection The Great Wide Sea comes a powerful story of hope, courage, and knowing when to let go.

"A testament to the human capacity to endure.” —The New York Times Book Review

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780142425442
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	05/16/2013
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	481,825
Product dimensions:	5.32(w) x 7.58(h) x 0.84(d)
Lexile:	670L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 9 Years

About the Author

M. H. Herlong is a teacher, writer, former lawyer, and parent of four sons, and the author of The Great Wide Sea, a YALSA 2010 Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults. The author has lived for twenty-seven years in New Orleans, Louisiana, where levee breaks in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina caused massive flooding and destroyed much of the city.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“A testament to the human capacity to endure.” —The New York Times Book Review

“A touching tale of hope, of holding on when you can, and of letting go when it’s the right thing to do.”—Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Buddy

"A testament to the human capacity to endure.” —The New York Times Book Review

"A touching tale of hope, of holding on when you can, and of letting go when it’s the right thing to do.”—Kirkus Reviews

"More than just a dog story." —School Library Journal

"Stirring." —Library Media Connection

From the Publisher

Gr 5–8—Twelve-year-old Li'l T, who lives with his extended family in the Ninth Ward in New Orleans, has wanted a dog for as long as he can remember, so when his father accidentally hits a stray with his car, Li'l T adopts the injured animal and names him Buddy. The two become inseparable until hurricane warnings force the family to evacuate to Mississippi. Believing they will be gone for only two days, and as there is literally no room in the car for Buddy, they leave him with food and water on the second floor of their home. Hurricane Katrina wreaks its destruction, and when the family is finally allowed to return, the house is still standing, but Buddy is missing. The only clue to his fate is a water-stained, incomplete toll-free telephone number from his rescuers. Li'l T is devastated and fears he will never find Buddy. This is more than just a dog story as the novel has strong, well-developed adult characters in a wise and caring grandfather and a tough but loving father. Both men teach Li'l T about right and wrong, about being part of a family, and about responsibility. There is also a strong community bond with neighbors and church members who help one another through the hard times. The only dissident note is that Li'l T does well in school but uses bad grammar when he speaks. Readers will figure out the ending long before the conclusion, but that doesn't detract from this well-written story.Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC

School Library Journal

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