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Overview
Jack, a storm-snatched cabin boy, washes up on a mysterious island. He finds sheep, sheep dogs, and wild dogs called fangos, but strangely, no people. Jack struggles to survive, to understand the dogs, and to befriend a little Border collie named Moxie. She and the other sheep dogs are mystified by the skinny boy, who does not fit their myths about people. During a final battle between the fangos and the sheep dogs, Jack finds he can communicate with the dogs, a discovery that deepens his friendship with Moxie and validates his life on the island. But the crew from Jack's ship returns to rescue him-now that Jack does not want to be rescued.
This middle-grade novel, told from Moxie's and Jack's alternating points of view, reads like a classic adventure story-vivid, swiftly paced, and woven with the timeless themes of a boy's self-reliance and the intense loyalty of dogs.
A thrilling survival story about a shipwrecked boy and a pack of wild dogs Jack, a storm-snatched cabin boy, washes up on a mysterious island. He finds sheep, sheep dogs, and wild dogs called fangos, but strangely, no people. Jack struggles to survive, to understand the dogs, and to befriend a little Border collie named Moxie. She and the other sheep dogs are mystified by the skinny boy, who does not fit their myths about people. During a final battle between the fangos and the sheep dogs, Jack finds he can communicate with the dogs, a discovery that deepens his friendship with Moxie and validates his life on the island. But the crew from Jack's ship returns to rescue him--now that Jack does not want to be rescued. This middle-grade novel, told from Moxie's and Jack's alternating points of view, reads like a classic adventure story--vivid, swiftly paced, and woven with the timeless themes of a boy's self-reliance and the intense loyalty of dogs.
Synopsis
Jack, a storm-snatched cabin boy, washes up on a mysterious island. He finds sheep, sheep dogs, and wild dogs called fangos, but strangely, no people. Jack struggles to survive, to understand the dogs, and to befriend a little Border collie named Moxie. She and the other sheep dogs are mystified by the skinny boy, who does not fit their myths about people. During a final battle between the fangos and the sheep dogs, Jack finds he can communicate with the dogs, a discovery that deepens his friendship with Moxie and validates his life on the island. But the crew from Jack's ship returns to rescue him-now that Jack does not want to be rescued.
This middle-grade novel, told from Moxie's and Jack's alternating points of view, reads like a classic adventure story-vivid, swiftly paced, and woven with the timeless themes of a boy's self-reliance and the intense loyalty of dogs.
Publishers Weekly
A tender exploration of the bond between man and his best friend, Morgan's thoughtful adventure uses the relationship between human and animal to cast a warm glow on each. The narrative alternates between the point of view of Moxie, one of the dogs living on a remote island years after his master died in a house fire, and Jack, an orphan who is taken in by a crew of sailors only to be shipwrecked and deposited alone on Moxie's island. The old blind dog Sage has been telling of a messianic return of "the humans," and Jack's arrival on the beach is seen as a great blessing by most, but as an ominous portent to the suspicious Kelso. Morgan uses simple, clean prose to paint two separate pictures of two distinct perspectives on innocence-the kind that Jack has apparently just lost, having to face the world on his own once again, and the kind that Moxie is just discovering, rooted in the singular love that comes from the connection between man and dog. Many insights come from the canines' view of humanity ("Humans are complicated.... I was told that often humans think by barking in their minds. The inside of a human's mind must be a very noisy place," Sage tells Moxie). The pacing is swift, and the surprising and touching finale begs for a sequel. Ages 9-12. (Nov.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
A tender exploration of the bond between man and his best friend, Morgan's thoughtful adventure uses the relationship between human and animal to cast a warm glow on each. The narrative alternates between the point of view of Moxie, one of the dogs living on a remote island years after his master died in a house fire, and Jack, an orphan who is taken in by a crew of sailors only to be shipwrecked and deposited alone on Moxie's island. The old blind dog Sage has been telling of a messianic return of "the humans," and Jack's arrival on the beach is seen as a great blessing by most, but as an ominous portent to the suspicious Kelso. Morgan uses simple, clean prose to paint two separate pictures of two distinct perspectives on innocence-the kind that Jack has apparently just lost, having to face the world on his own once again, and the kind that Moxie is just discovering, rooted in the singular love that comes from the connection between man and dog. Many insights come from the canines' view of humanity ("Humans are complicated.... I was told that often humans think by barking in their minds. The inside of a human's mind must be a very noisy place," Sage tells Moxie). The pacing is swift, and the surprising and touching finale begs for a sequel. Ages 9-12. (Nov.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.VOYA
Twice-orphaned Jack washes up on a deserted island off the coast of New Zealand after his captain throws him overboard in a last-ditch attempt to save him from the violent storm overtaking his ship. Jack stumbles on two groups of dogs: the honorable shepherd dogs who continue herding sheep without orders from human masters and the fangos, their wild forest-dwelling cousins who attack the sheep. With help from the shepherd dogs, Jack discovers abandoned human tools enabling him to cook and survive. He befriends the dogs, particularly a young border collie named Moxie, and becomes an integral part of their war with the fangos. At the height of a battle Jack is miraculously able to communicate with the dogs. Told in the alternating views of Jack and Moxie, this novel is an engrossing and compelling read. Moxie's thoughtful insights into both the human and canine worlds are right on target. Morgan portrays the complex relationship between humans and dogs beautifully. Although fascinated with Jack, Moxie observes him from a safe distance until their bond is too strong for her to resist. The end is bittersweet and begs for a sequel, a testament to the engaging characters and intriguing story. Although the cover looks a bit juvenile, middle school readers, especially dog lovers, should enjoy it. VOYA Codes 4Q 4P M (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8). 2003, Dutton, 166p., Ages 11 to 14.—Jennifer McIntosh
Children's Literature
Already orphaned once—his parents were killed in the great San Francisco earthquake—Jake finds himself alone again when the ship he has been apprenticed to runs into foul weather off the coast of New Zealand. Washed ashore on an island, Jack soon learns that there he is the only human being around. He encounters a herd of sheep dogs that have continued to guard over the flock, even though their human owners deserted the island many years ago. Another group of wild dogs, called fangos, have lost their sense of dogness—all they care about is killing and eating sheep. Jack befriends the sheep dogs, especially a little Border collie named Moxie, and slowly but surely develops courage and bravery in the fight against the fangos. Related through the alternating viewpoints of Jack and the dog Moxie, this novel brings to life a gripping story that has its roots in a legend handed down by New Zealand's Maori people. 2003, Dutton, Ages 10 to 14.— Christopher Moning