When Mack Came Back

Rating:
Summary: When Mack Came Back
Review: I rate the book When Mack Came Back 3 stars because it did not have very much action but, my favorite part was when he heard the ghostly sound. Other than that the book was pretty boring exept when Maury`s brother Ben told that he got shot in both legs during World War II.

Rating:
Summary: When Mack Came Back
Review: The dramatic first chapter hooked my 5th grade students on Strickland's touching story of life in North Georgia during World War II as seen through the eyes of 11 year old Maury Painter.
Maury is determined to save the black lab puppy he finds tangled up in the woods. He is convinced it is his brother's dog, which was placed over 30 miles away when his brother joined the army. The book is paced beautifully to read aloud and students' interest is captured by Maury's sacrifice to save the dog, his hard work to skip a grade in school, and the anxiety which clouds their lives when his brother is reported missing in action. The ending is funny and cathartic--and for once the dog lives happily ever after! Strickland portrays life in North Georgia accurately and the dialect in the final chapter was a joy to read.

Rating:
Summary: An appealing read-aloud
Review: The dramatic first chapter hooked my 5th grade students on Strickland's touching story of life in North Georgia during World War II as seen through the eyes of 11 year old Maury Painter.
Maury is determined to save the black lab puppy he finds tangled up in the woods. He is convinced it is his brother's dog, which was placed over 30 miles away when his brother joined the army. The book is paced beautifully to read aloud and students' interest is captured by Maury's sacrifice to save the dog, his hard work to skip a grade in school, and the anxiety which clouds their lives when his brother is reported missing in action. The ending is funny and cathartic--and for once the dog lives happily ever after! Strickland portrays life in North Georgia accurately and the dialect in the final chapter was a joy to read.

Rating:
Summary: Bring Mack into your home. It will be a warmer place.
Review: When Mack Came Back isn't just a story about a boy and his dog. It's not about a talking dog or a dog that rescues children from the bottom of wells. It's about family, faith and love, told from the point of view of Maury, a ten year old boy that loves to read and gets a bellyache when thinking about picking cotton. It's about growing up and growing wise. It involves a dog that is probably a lot like your dog, or like a dog you may know. One that eagerly awaits scraps at the dinner table and one that poops in the bushes. Still, Mack is such a sweet, loving and loyal dog. He learns quickly and tries hard. The characters are real people. People that you can't help but have feelings for as soon as they are introduced. Especially Old Pa, Maury's endearing and kind grandfather. The places and settings, described in beautiful and loving detail that only someone who was there could express, are also real. The story talks about farming, not in a romantic or idealistic way, but as the hard and honorable work that it really is. It reminds us that there were families of young soldiers, away fighting World War II, and the worries those families felt and prayers they said. This is a story that parents should read to their children and teachers should read to their pupils. Get it as a gift for a child you know. Initially they may grumble at the lack of a spaceship or dragon on the cover, but, when they start reading, will surely be delighted to read the story of an everyday person dealing with everyday issues. Brad Strickland has, again, given us an unpretentious and modest gift. If you haven't read any of his many other books, this is an excellent introduction to his work. I couldn't recommend this book more.

Rating:
Summary: Bring Mack into your home. It will be a warmer place.
Review: When Mack Came Back isn't just a story about a boy and his dog. It's not about a talking dog or a dog that rescues children from the bottom of wells. It's about family, faith and love, told from the point of view of Maury, a ten year old boy that loves to read and gets a bellyache when thinking about picking cotton. It's about growing up and growing wise. It involves a dog that is probably a lot like your dog, or like a dog you may know. One that eagerly awaits scraps at the dinner table and one that poops in the bushes. Still, Mack is such a sweet, loving and loyal dog. He learns quickly and tries hard. The characters are real people. People that you can't help but have feelings for as soon as they are introduced. Especially Old Pa, Maury's endearing and kind grandfather. The places and settings, described in beautiful and loving detail that only someone who was there could express, are also real. The story talks about farming, not in a romantic or idealistic way, but as the hard and honorable work that it really is. It reminds us that there were families of young soldiers, away fighting World War II, and the worries those families felt and prayers they said. This is a story that parents should read to their children and teachers should read to their pupils. Get it as a gift for a child you know. Initially they may grumble at the lack of a spaceship or dragon on the cover, but, when they start reading, will surely be delighted to read the story of an everyday person dealing with everyday issues. Brad Strickland has, again, given us an unpretentious and modest gift. If you haven't read any of his many other books, this is an excellent introduction to his work. I couldn't recommend this book more.