Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
National Geographic Children's Books (2014), Hardcover, 80 pages
Description
American soldier J. Robert Conroy befriended a stray dog with a stumpy tail while training to fight overseas in WWI. They bonded so closely that Conroy smuggled him to Europe, where Stubby accompanied Conroy's regiment on the Western Front, lending both his superior olfactory senses and amiable temperament to the war effort.
User reviews
LibraryThing member pataustin
As a child (and still), I didn't and don't like reading about war, but give me a dog story and I'm more likely to be interested. Quite the celebrated, decorated war hero in his day, Stubby faced many hardships alongside the soldiers, and one kept a scrapbook about him, so there's an exhibit in the
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Smithsonian that honors him. Ann Bausum unearthed amazing details to flesh out this story, which she talks about in Research Notes. Show Less
LibraryThing member readerbynight
I'm very impressed not only with this book but with its backstory as well, how the author came to believe the story of Stubby and to write it. The fascinating true story of a man and a stray dog who became a war hero in WWI. This book is well-written, historical, non-fiction and a good way for kids
A young man at the time, J. Robert Conroy discovered a stray dog had decided that they belonged together. The dog was a possible Boston terrier cross with a stub of a tail so he became known as Stubby. They became inseparable and when WWI loomed on the horizon Conroy enlisted but Stubby apparently considered himself enlisted too, even to the point of learning how to salute by standing on his hind legs and raising his paw to his face. On parade, he learned the "eyes right" command as well.
Once Conroy was shipped overseas, Stubby went, too. He was assigned to be the Yankee Division's mascot. There were actually several animal mascots and workers in the war, but Stubby became an active member. Ann Bausum delved into a lot of military and WWI history to write this wonderful book. It is written especially for kids and they will enjoy it, I'm sure. It is a story about a very special bond, the book is almost entirely the heroic deeds of this dog and not the bloody side of the war.
Stubby was able to warn the troops about chemicals coming, snipers sneaking up on them in their trenches, rescued injured soldiers, could tell the difference between the enemy and his own soon enough to warn them. He even captured an enemy soldier himself. He was injured in the line of duty, but fortunately survived at the hands of the medics. Stubby was a genuine decorated hero, met three presidents, and definitely has a place in history. I highly recommend this book, it is timely this close to 100 years ago, and is suitable for all ages.
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to learn about WWI in a unique way. Ann Bausum, on hearing the story at first didn't think it could be true, but soon learned there was incredible evidence to back up this great story.A young man at the time, J. Robert Conroy discovered a stray dog had decided that they belonged together. The dog was a possible Boston terrier cross with a stub of a tail so he became known as Stubby. They became inseparable and when WWI loomed on the horizon Conroy enlisted but Stubby apparently considered himself enlisted too, even to the point of learning how to salute by standing on his hind legs and raising his paw to his face. On parade, he learned the "eyes right" command as well.
Once Conroy was shipped overseas, Stubby went, too. He was assigned to be the Yankee Division's mascot. There were actually several animal mascots and workers in the war, but Stubby became an active member. Ann Bausum delved into a lot of military and WWI history to write this wonderful book. It is written especially for kids and they will enjoy it, I'm sure. It is a story about a very special bond, the book is almost entirely the heroic deeds of this dog and not the bloody side of the war.
Stubby was able to warn the troops about chemicals coming, snipers sneaking up on them in their trenches, rescued injured soldiers, could tell the difference between the enemy and his own soon enough to warn them. He even captured an enemy soldier himself. He was injured in the line of duty, but fortunately survived at the hands of the medics. Stubby was a genuine decorated hero, met three presidents, and definitely has a place in history. I highly recommend this book, it is timely this close to 100 years ago, and is suitable for all ages.
Show Less
Awards
Triple Crown Awards (Nominee — 2017)
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2016)
South Dakota Children's Book Awards (Nominee — 2017)
Society of Midland Authors Award (Winner — Children's Nonfiction — 2015)
Charlotte Award (Nominee — Middle School — 2016)
Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award (Gold Award — 2014)
CCBC Choices (2015)
The Best Children's Books of the Year (Nine to Twelve — 2015)
New York Public Library Best Books: For Kids (Nonfiction — 2014)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Kids (Informational Books for Older Readers — 2014)
Language
Original publication date
2014
Physical description
80 p.; 8.99 inches
ISBN
1426314868 / 9781426314865