Review by Booklist Review
Pete Solomon finds a new best friend and an injured mutt on the same day. The best friend, Justin Bell, is sensitive and thoughtful, like he is, but he's also African American, while Pete is white, and in Texas in 1959, this is not OK. The mutt is rejected by the local vet because he's actually part wolf, and Pete's only choice is to sneak out to the remote cabin where a lady doctor is rumored to be more kind to animals than to people. Dr. Lucy Armstrong spends her entire alimony check fixing up strays, so she can't afford to take in one more that won't be paying. But something about Pete and the wolf-dog won't let her turn them away. Then Pete needs some fixing up, and Justin pays a high physical price for their friendship, which brings his father, Calvin, to Dr. Lucy's door. Pete, especially, has a Scoutesque innocence that immediately endears. A moving story about patience, trust, the families we choose, and the love it takes to let somebody go. And don't worry the wolf-dog lives.--Maguire, Susan Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
In 1959 Texas, 12-year-old white Peter tries to make friends with Justin, a black boy new in town, and as a result Justin is beaten nearly to death by grown men. Peter takes Justin to Lucy, a reclusive "lady doctor" who recently treated an injured wolf-hybrid that a vet refused to help. As Peter sees Lucy tend to Justin, Justin's father, Calvin, and her dozens of strays with decency and compassion, he begins to realize the extent of his father's hypocrisy and abuse. In alternate chapters from Lucy's point of view we see her immediate attraction to Calvin and belief in his honor. Lucy and boy Peter form a new family while Lucy and Calvin correspond for nearly a decade living in separate cities watching the progress of Loving v. Virginia, the historic Supreme Court case that overturned state laws banning interracial marriage. VERDICT Prolific author Hyde (Pay It Forward; Leaving Blythe River) has created a moving family story that tackles broad themes of racism, compassion, abuse, and love. Readers will be hoping that the characters find true love and justice. Includes book group questions.-Jan Marry, -Williamsburg Regional Lib., VA © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
In a heavily segregated community of 1959 Texas, a 12-year-old white boy befriends a black boy. Only trouble can follow.It all begins when Pete Solomon decides to go fishing but finds an injured dog instead. Even though no one else wants anything to do with the possibly wild, probably dangerous, half-wolf hybrid lying at the side of the road, Pete cant walk away. A victim of abuse at the hands of his father, Pete instinctively understands that hell have to gain the dogs trust before he can load him onto his wagon and take him to the only person in town who might be willing to help: Dr. Lucy. A licensed physician, Lucy lives on the edge of town, treating humans as needed to support her ever expanding menagerie of rescued animals. She keeps her head down and her heart guarded behind a gruff facade; divorce and grief have left her vulnerable. On his way to Dr. Lucys house, Pete meets Justin Bell, a boy new to town, and the two become best friends though Pete is white and Justin is black. Soon enough, both Pete and Justin face violent repercussions for breaking the color barrier. And after meeting Justins father, Calvin, Lucy, too, falls into a socially dangerous love. Bestselling author of Pay it Forward (1999), Hyde (Leaving Blythe River, 2016, etc.) captures the determination of Justin and Petes friendship as well as the wistfulness of Petes love for the injured dog. Yet the love between Lucy and Calvin is rushed, underdeveloped, and difficult to believe. As the Supreme Court case of Loving v. Virginia approaches, Hyde fragments their love affair into sections set years apart, which certainly emphasizes the patience required of true love but unfortunately dilutes the intensity of the relationship. A sentimental yet heartwarming tale of transgression and redemption. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
