War Dogs: Tales of Canine Heroism, History, and Love

Gr 7–10—In this young readers edition of her adult title of the same name, Frankel explores the roles that our canine friends play in warfare. A self-avowed animal lover and rescuer, the author displays enormous empathy for the dogs and their handlers throughout. Though the subject is military working dogs, their handlers aren't separated from the story. The descriptions of the various dogs, their handlers, and their deployments together are intermingled throughout. Most of the accounts focus on missions from Iraq and Afghanistan, though there are several from the Vietnam War. Frankel's remarkable ability to get up close and personal with these creatures and their handlers, highlighting their incredible bonds, makes for a full and rich work. Many of the mission scenarios contain graphic details, an element that may be troubling for sensitive readers.