How I Got a Life and a Dog

May 3, 2010
This touching and engrossing story stars 11-year-old Nicky, whose parents have just split up, forcing him to move with his troubled mother to a tiny apartment in Boston. Despite having difficulty making ends meet, Nicky’s mother brings home another mouth to feed: Reggie, a former guide dog. While Nicky is at first dismayed by his new companion, he quickly grows to rely on him, particularly since he is having a hard time integrating at his new school, and his father neither calls nor visits. With Reggie leading the way, Nicky visits the haunts of the dog’s former owner and tries to figure out why Reggie landed at the pound. But the web of lies he tells in the process grows out of control, and ultimately he must face up to the truth and accept the dissolution of his parents’ marriage. In his first book for young readers, Corriveau (Housewrights) includes cultural and geographical facts about Boston without weighing the story down. Nicky should appeal to readers who have had troubles at home or have struggled to fit in. Ages 8–12.

May 1, 2010
Gr 5-8-Nicky and his mother live in a tiny apartment in a less-than-affluent area near Boston since his parents separated. She says he acts more like a 40-year-old man than an 11-year-old boy. In the area of behaving responsibly, she's probably right. One night, instead of dinner, she brings home a former seeing-eye dog with a mysterious past, but Nicky doesn't want him. During their walks, Reggie tries to go in certain directions, so Nicky finally lets him, hoping to discover his former owner and why Reggie was at the pound. He meets new people, becomes familiar with a new neighborhood, and discovers some of the dog's history. Nicky also tries to fit into a new school with tough kids and is confused and hurt that his dad doesn't see him on weekends. The story is told in the authentic voice of a boy who is dealing with too much upheaval in his life, including his mother's depression about her new lifestyle. What he thinks and actually says are often poles apart, but kids will immediately pick up on the difference. There are a few crude words and the action drags a bit in the middle, but young people, especially those who have had to take on responsibility at home, will enjoy the story."Nancy P. Reeder, Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, SC"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2010
Grades 4-7 Since his parents recent divorce, Nicky, 11, has moved with Mom into a rundown Boston city neighborhood. Why doesnt Dad come and take Nicky away? It must be Mom who is to blame. Then Mom brings home a guide dog, Reggie, who was trained to lead the blind before he was dumped at the pound. Nicky bonds with his new pet, and together they run away, retracing the Freedom Trail, which Nicky remembers walking with Dad. Adult writer Corriveau roots his debut youth novel in Bostons independence struggle, and the parallels get a bit heavy. What will hold readers is the young runaways elemental bond with his loyal sidekick, shown in descriptions that cover not only the dogs training but also the realism when Nicky messes up and even endangers his pet. The characters are vividly drawn without sentimentality, especially Mom; Nickys Latina classmate, who tries to be his friend; and the bullies who come to respect him for running away. More than independence, it is Nickys blindness about Dads rejection that is the powerful theme.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2010
Following his parents' divorce, Nicky and his mother attempt to start over in a new town with the aid of a retired seeing-eye dog named Reggie. Before running away to find his father, Nicky complicates his life further by pretending to be Reggie's new blind master. Some suspension of disbelief is required, but Nicky's emotions ring true.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)