Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle

by Brian Dennis (Author)

Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine & a Miracle
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Nubs, an Iraqi dog of war, never had a home or a person of his own. He was the leader of a pack of wild dogs living off the land and barely surviving. But Nubs's life changes when he meets Marine Major Dennis. Through words and illustrations, this true account reminds young readers of the power of friendship.
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Publishers Weekly

Larson and Nethery, who collaborated on "Two Bobbies", team up with Dennis to tell the moving story of the Marine majors friendship with a wild dog he befriended at a border fort in Iraq. Dennis named the dog Nubs because his ears had been cut off to make him a dog of war (a statement never explained). Though Nubs futilely attempts to follow Dennis when he departs the fort, the two grow closer on subsequent visits, until the dog (now wounded) treks 70 miles through the snow to find Dennis. When the major is ordered to get rid of the dog, or else, he raises money to have Nubs transported to his San Diego hometown, where human and dog eventually reunite. Some spreads feel cluttered with narrative passages, e-mail sidebars, and multiple images; the photographs, gleaned from several sources, are of varying quality and resolution (understandable given the circumstances under which most were taken). But these do not diminish the emotional impact of the saga, which should appeal to fans of "Owen and Mzee" and other stories of animals that triumph against the odds. Ages 3up. "(Nov.)" Copyright 2009 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 25A true story of a feral dog from Iraq that found a home in the United States. In October 2007, Border Transition Team 3/5/2 arrived at the border of Iraq and Syria. The team members were greeted by a pack of wild dogs, whose leader became known as "Nubs" because of his docked ears. He developed a bond with Dennis, and as the troops would come and go over the course of several weeks, they were always greeted by the dogs. Nubs exhibited signs of malnutrition and abuse yet he continued to seek food and companionship from the Marines, often trying to follow them when they'd leave. In December 2007, when they relocated to the Jordanian border, 70 miles away, he embarked on a treacherous journey across the desert and, two days later, walked into the camp. Because Marine regulations prohibit the keeping of pets in a war zone, Major Dennis and his men collected donations and arranged to send Nubs to the United States. He was eventually reunited with the dog in 2008. The narrative, which sometimes lacks clarity, includes a substantial amount of original documentationphotos taken by members of the 3/5/2, emails from Dennis to his friends in San Diego, and copies of the State Department "passport" allowing Nubs to travel. This is a feel-good entry in the current trend of inspirational true animal stories."Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA" Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Brian Dennis
Brian Dennis is a major in the Marines. He and Nubs live in San Diego.
Kirby Larson is the acclaimed author of the 2007 Newbery Honor book, Hattie Big Sky. Her most recent title is Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival, co-written with Mary Nethery. Kirby lives in Kenmore, Washington.
Mary Nethery is the author of many picture books, including Hannah and Jack, Mary Veronica's Egg, and Cat Goes to Market. Mary lives in Eureka, California.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780316053181
Lexile Measure
750
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date
November 01, 2009
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF038080 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | Middle East
JNF003060 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Animals | Dogs
JNF053060 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Social Topics | Friendship
Library of Congress categories
Dogs
California
Iraq
Iraq War, 2003-
Dog owners
Maine Student Book Award
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Christopher Awards
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Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award
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California Young Reader Medal
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Golden Sower Award
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Show Me Readers Award
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