Blues of Flats Brown

Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully written- fabulous tale by Myers
Review: Flats Brown is a junkyard dog along with his best friend, an old mutt named Caleb. The junkyard is owned by an incredibly cruel man named A.J. Grubbs, who wants to turn our boys into fighting dogs. When a dogfight injures old Caleb, he and Flats decide to run away. Each place they go, they find somewhere for Flats to play his guitar and sing the blues, backed up by Ol' Caleb on the bones. And each time, A.J. Grubbs finds them and tries to claim ownership on them and drag them home. Flats and Caleb escape him time and time again, until finally, Caleb puts Flats on a train and sends him to New York. Flats finds yet another place to play the blues, and - you guessed it- ol' A.J. Grubbs finds him yet again. But a song Flats plays stirs some deep heartfelt emotions in A.J. Does Flats go back to Mississippi? You'll have to read it to find out. I loved this book- it helps kids to learn to follow what their heart tells them to do, and also, to see beyond people's exteriors to discover that sometimes all we need is someone to show us a little kindness.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: Friends are more important than money. Making music is better than fighting. These are the two lessons Myers successfully conveys in this story. The language used in this tale flows like the words in a blues song. Although I widh that the dogs were a little less anthropomorphically drawn (Flats looks like a teenager in a dog suit), the illustrations reflect the "down home" tone of the story. Overall, this is an excellent picture book.

Rating:
Summary: Blues Music
Review: This was a very cute story about the desire of two animals that wanted to follow their dream, to play blues music. It also shows that fighting is not something you have to do, even if you are pushed into it. The author made a point of explaining to the reader that if you show someone kindness and caring (even though they may not be kind or caring), it may turn that person's feelings around. This is a wonderful story that has several themes, and should be shared with children.