Maggie by My Side

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6 Butler, who has written autobiographical-based fiction ( Light a Single Candle Dodd, 1962 and Gift of Gold Archway, 1973) now presents an exceptional nonfiction narrative about her new guide dog. Butler, who lost her sight at 14, is forced to find a new dog when her latest dog dies. At a guide dog school in Ohio she is introduced to a German shepherd, Maggie. In this concisely written book, Butler explains about guide dogs and the training that both they and their owners receive. Maggie has trouble adjusting to a new owner, preferring her trainer. She also finds the Butler cats a bit of a problem, not to mention the terrors that winter snows bring to her. Butler's straightforward account is laced with humor as it imparts much information. Readers will cheer for Maggie and Beverly as they overcome their joint difficulties and face a future life together. The format is excellent, with plenty of white space and a readable typeface. Numerous black-and-white photographs add to the text and are well placed to supplement it. This very fine book is a welcome addition to the shelves on blindness and guide dogs, and it should be popular with young readerseven those who don't usually read nonfiction. Margaret C. Howell, Cameron Elementary School, Fairfax County, Va.