D-Day Dog

 By: Tom Palmer

Location: FIC PAL

Genre: WWII, War, Ethics and Dogs

This review is by Dean Cowan- from Goodreads

Tom Palmer is an author who specialises in YA fiction for reluctant readers. However, the plotline of this cleverly crafted story demonstrates that a straightforward narrative does not necessarily result in simple ideas. This is definitely a story that is meant to make young readers think about war, loyalty, and duty as well as other complex ideas.

Jack is an 11-year-old schoolboy fascinated by war and war-themed computer games. His dad is a part-time soldier who encourages his interest by playing wargames with him as a means of bonding and educating him, especially, about the second world war. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your perspective, Jack's simple and hero-inspired view of war is made complicated by his dad's assignment in Afghanistan and the opposition of his mother, a girl in his class who is a refugee from Syria and a chance meeting with an ex-soldier coach driver on a school trip to France.

His initial introduction to the real horrors of war is sparked off by a research assignment into the war experiences of Emile Cortiel and his army dog, Glen who Emile trained into being an army dog. When Jack learns that both man and dog are killed on a mission his thoughts turn immediately to the fate of the dog and how animals are unable to choose whether or not they participate in the war. He identifies his own dog Finn, who he has trained from a puppy to obey all his commands and is repulsed at the thought of having to parachute him out of a plane, like the reluctant Glen.

This is a very engaging and well-put-together read. I would particularly recommend it to teachers wanting to encourage reluctant readers to enjoy thought-provoking adventure novels which are undemanding linguistically but do not skimp on dealing with difficult ideas and experiences.