The Summer of Riley - Softcover

Bunting, Eve

Softcover

ISBN 10: 000714010X ISBN 13: 9780007140107

Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks, 2011

Synopsis

The ultimate boy and dog story. Heartwarming and inspiring story as a boy fights to keep his dog alive. For 8 – 12 year olds.

Eleven-year-old William gets his dog after a stormy period in his life; his parents have separated, dad has just got engaged and then his grandfather dies without any warning. Though Riley is no substitute for Grandpa, he is a wonderful dog. Riley behaves impeccably, he comes when called; doesn’t make puddles; sits up straight in the car and doesn’t tear up the flowerbeds. He is, in fact, the perfect dog. UNTIL one day he goes beserk with a neighbour’s beloved old racehorse. Local law states that any animal that chases livestock must be put to sleep. Suddenly William stands to lose something else that is close to him. Riley is taken away,…

William and best-friend Grace start a campaign to save Riley.They get him a lawyer and get an action group together to raise money for his defence. The Press latch on to the story. Another action group is formed by the horse owner’s friend and it’s their intention NOT to save Riley. Polls are taken and the electorate are undecided. The final day of Riley’s life dawns and it’s going to take a miracle to save him. But William never gives up. Through sheer determination and hours surfing the internet, William comes up with the answer and the novel ends happily.

An inspiring novel as William struggles to fight for what he believes in and about learning to accept life’s changes.

This is a hugely satisfying novel with a real feel-good factor. The pace is maintained to the end and it is a riveting read, particularly for animal-loving children.

About this title

About the Author

Eve Bunting was born in Ireland and came to California with her husband and three children. She is one of the most acclaimed and versatile children's book authors, with more than two hundred novels and picture books to her credit. Among her honors are many state awards, the Kerlan Award, the Golden Kite Award, the Regina Medal, the Mystery Writers of America and the Western Writers of America awards, and a PEN International Special Achievement award for her contribution to children's literature. In 2002, Ms. Bunting was chosen to be Irish-American Woman of the Year by the Irish-American Heritage Committee of New York.

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-With the recent death of his grandfather and his parents' decision to separate, 11-year-old William struggles with his grief and anger until an abandoned Lab comes into his life. Boy and dog bond immediately, but then William takes him to visit a neighbor. Without warning, Riley breaks away and begins to chase Peachie's old racehorse, causing injury to him. When the dog runs over to her farm again, she calls the animal-control officers and they take Riley away. Determined to save his pet from a possible death sentence, William begins a publicity campaign to vie for the townspeople's sympathies. Riley is saved when a man offers to take him and train him to keep an airport runway clear of birds. Although William loses the dog he loves, he realizes that he has done his best and begins to accept the changes that are taking place in his life. The interactions among various characters are well developed. This is a thought-provoking story but the resolution, though believable, is not totally satisfying since it gets everyone off the hook without any real change taking place concerning the law or people's attitudes. It is disturbing how quickly everyone except William gives up on Riley. Everything is great when he appears to be "the perfect dog," but one flaw and immediately he becomes a "throwaway" once again. Bunting has really captured the dilemma of our contemporary society, which wants simple solutions to complex situations, often demands perfection, and rejects anything less.

Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 000714010X
• ISBN 13: 9780007140107
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160