The Winner's Walk - Hardcover

Patterson, Nancy Ruth

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0374384452 ISBN 13: 9780374384456

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 2006

Synopsis

Case Callahan isn't a star swimmer like his sister, Quinn. He's not a champion horse trainer like his father, or a popular stage actor like his mother. Still, Case is determined to make his mark. But one effort after another – talent show, science fair, junior horse show – is a terrible failure. It isn't until Case comes upon a lost dog that he finds his path to success. The dog, whom Case names Noah, is certainly one of a kind – what other golden retriever can answer the telephone and put dishes in the dishwasher? Together Case and Noah seem destined to become a trophy-winning team. Noah, however, is so smart because he was trained to be a service dog, and when Case learns about his dog's past, he realizes there is more than one way to be a winner.

With thoughtful black-and-white illustrations, this is the perfect story for any child who has struggled to discover his talents – and for any dog lover.

About this title

About the Author

NANCY RUTH PATTERSON has written three other novels for children, including A Simple Gift. She lives in Roanoke, Virginia. THOMAS F. YEZERSKI has written and/or illustrated many books for young readers, among them Jane Cutler's Rose and Riley books. He lives in Rutherford, New Jersey.

Reviews

Grade 3-5–Case is used to hearing the thunder of applause for his mother's acting skills, his father's horse-jumping championships, and his sister's swimming accomplishments. He is looking for his moment in the spotlight, and is sure that at least one upcoming event will provide the opportunity. However, hilarious mishaps ensue at the talent show and the science fair, and he breaks his arm at the junior horse show. He can't even burp the alphabet like his friend Harry. Things finally start to look up when a stray dog follows him home. No ordinary canine, Noah can answer the telephone and turn out the lights. When Case starts winning agility trials with the pup, he finally hears the applause that he has craved. His winning days are short-lived, however, when he learns that Noah is a service dog to a disabled girl. Case must then face the difficult decision of choosing what is best for the dog and placing someone else's needs before his own. Black-and-white watercolor illustrations add to this satisfying, though somewhat predictable chapter book.–Michele Shaw, formerly at Yorkshire Academy, Houston, TX
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Gr. 3-5. Patterson evokes both laughter and tears in this tender chapter book. Nine-year-old Case fears that he's the only one in his family not cut out to be a winner. He tries very hard at the talent show, the science fair, and the horse show, but he messes up each time. Then he rescues a lost dog and persuades his family to take it in, promising to look for the owner. Noah, as Case calls the dog, is amazing. He can put dishes in the dishwasher and pick up the phone when it rings. It turns out he was trained to help his previous owner, a disabled girl, Meg. Meg now has a new dog, so she doesn't need Noah any longer, but what about other disabled kids? Yezerski's black-and-white pictures, one per chapter, show Case's slapstick mess-ups and then his bonding with the dog he loves. The disability story is never sentimental (Meg is as proud as she is needy), and the tearful ending scene is unforgettable. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0374384452
• ISBN 13: 9780374384456
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Yezerski Thomas F.
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 128