Category: Benefits of Reading

October 14, 2019

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For today’s post we wanted to highlight a small subset of stories that we ​have made available through Yesterday’s Classics. There are four titles in all, each is an adventure tale, and each either features a dog for its protagonist or centers around dogs in some other way.

Why read dog adventure stories?

The four stories highlighted in this post all feature courageous dogs (and their equally courageous masters), and are intended for middle-school aged readers and up.

I don’t believe it’s any coincidence that this sort of book is so popular with that particular age demographic. To me, these stories serve as a natural bridge for middle-aged readers between the countless children’s books that feature animals (the Among the People series, the Burgess Bedtime Story-Books, the Beatrix Potter books, etc.), and full-length novels. 

Each book or short story in this quartet will feel familiar to youthful readers, reminding them of earlier stories they read and loved, but each book also contains more mature themes such as the necessity of courage, the fight for survival under dire circumstances, the fight against evil, etc. With the one exception of Adrift on an Ice-Pan, each dog featured in these stories is endowed with his own unique character and lovable quirks, and all are masterfully written.

Readers who own dogs will easily understand the adoration the dogs’ masters feel for them, and readers without dogs will relish the opportunity to read about the exploits of such wonderful creatures!

“The Call of the Wild” by Jack London

Despite n​ot having read it until my early adulthood, The Call of the Wild is an all-time favorite of mine.

Its hero is Buck, who leads the luxurious life of a lap dog for the first years of his life, although I suspect his size was prohibitive to any actual lap sitting, as he is half St. Bernard and half Scottish Shepherd (a.k.a. Collie). Born and raised in sunny California, he is eventually stolen and sold for use as a sled dog. In Alaska, Buck must learn to survive the forces of the arctic, including defending himself against other dogs and even against many men. Throughout these trials, Buck begins to hear the “call of the wild” and something primordial starts to awaken inside of him.

Both on his way to the Klondike region and upon arriving, Buck goes through a series of several owners, until he finds his match in the courageous John Thornton. The two are very much equals, and even become indebted to one another when each in turn saves the other’s life. But whether even John Thornton can prevent Buck from heeding the “call of the wild” is another matter entirely.

I still have never read any of Jack London’s other books, but can highly recommend this one! It’s great for middle schoolers, and lends itself well to discussion, too. I read it with four classes of seventh graders, and was delighted to observe how much the students enjoyed it each year. The female students loved it just as much, if not more than, the males!

“Lad, A Dog” by Alfred Terhune

When I first read Lad, A Dog I was struck by how similar its opening setting is to that of The Call of the Wild. Although different breeds of dogs and born on opposite sides of the country, Lad leads the life that Buck might have enjoyed, had he not been sold into captivity.

Lad is a beautiful male collie who enjoys a privileged status at The Place, where he lives in the main house alongside his master and beloved mistress. Moreover, Lad has a mate, Lady, whom he adores, but who often behaves carelessly toward him.

Lad’s most salient characteristics are his loyalty and obedience toward his master and mistress. He understands them perfectly, and is only ever disobedient when he must protect someone who does not know himself to be in danger. But when occasion requires it, he becomes fiercely protective of his home and loved ones.

The book, the longest of all four titles mentioned here, is written in an episodic fashion, and focuses on Lad as a hero of his family. Among the vignettes recounted are stories of Lad defending his home against intruders, saving his mistress’s life, becoming a father, and competing in dog shows – much to his own displeasure.  As a house-dog, the challenges that Lad does encounter are not so much those of the wildness of nature, but of evil within men. I would say it’s a great read for children or families who wholeheartedly adore dogs, and enjoy reading about them. The themes and events of this book aren’t nearly as complex as those of the other three, but it will nevertheless be a lighthearted and enjoyable read for many. Perhaps even a good counterweight to the other three stories! And if your family appreciates this first book about Lad, there are two sequels to enjoy: Lad of Sunnybank and Further Adventures of Lad.

“Adrift on an Ice-Pan” by Wilfred Thomason Grenfell

Of all these stories, Adrift on an Ice Pan is the one that focuses most on man’s experience, rather than on the experience of his animals. In this true account, Sir Wilfred Grenfell remembers the time when he became stranded on an ice-pan with his team of dogs in St. Anthony, Newfoundland on, of all days, Easter Sunday.

Dr. Grenfell had been sent to Newfoundland as a medical missionary from England, and in this story, finds himself required to travel 60 miles over the ice to treat a young child suffering from a serious bone disease. During his journey he becomes separated from his companions, and the ice sheet beneath him and his komatik, or dog sled, begins to break up.

The majority of the story focuses on his struggle to survive, and on his thought processes throughout the endeavor. Unfortunately, Dr. Grenfell is forced to sacrifice 3 of his beloved team of dogs in order to survive the bitter cold of night, but the rest survive the trial with him. Because of this, parents or teachers will probably find it a good idea to read the story in advance of reading it with their children or students! I didn’t find it any more gruesome than certain elements or scenes of The Call of the Wild, but just wanted to warn more sensitive readers (and dog lovers).

As one might expect, faith plays a major part in this story. As a missionary, Dr. Grenfell was a man of deep faith and that faith is evident throughout his trials. The conviction he bears throughout his time on the ice-pan is remarkable: he does not seem to feel fear or doubt that good will come, whether that good be his ultimate rescue, or going to meet his Maker. In fact, his refrain throughout the entire journey is “Thy will, not mine, O Lord.”

Again, this book isn’t so much of a “dog” book as the other three, but it is an inspiring tale, nevertheless!

“Stickeen: The Story of a Dog” by John Muir

Like Adrift on an Ice Pan, Stickeen is a true story, this time of John Muir’s experience with a “small and worthless” black dog named Stickeen. Despite his unimpressive physique, however, Stickeen proves himself to have a remarkable character, and he and John Muir soon establish a strong sense of kinship.

The two first meet on an exploration voyage of southeastern Alaska, and in the main event of this short story, sneak off early in the morning to explore a glacier without the rest of their company. Unfortunately, though, they are caught in a blizzard and must somehow find their way back to camp without falling into any crevasses. Under the circumstances, this proves to be a seemingly impossible task, for Muir and Stickeen alike.

As Muir recounts their difficult journey back, he focuses in particular on Stickeen’s character, and on his reluctance to cross an especially treacherous ice bridge in order to make it back to camp. Muir does not want to leave Stickeen, but Stickeen seems to refuse to follow Muir. Ultimately, the perils they face together cause the two to become the best of friends, and very nearly inseparable for the remainder of the trip.

This is another short story set in a remote and snowy land, but in many ways much lighter than Adrift on an Ice Pan, and accordingly, appropriate to read with slightly younger children.

The Takeaway

​Among these four books, there is something for everyone!

The short story Adrift on an Ice Pan focuses most heavily on a man’s near encounter with death and the faith he demonstrates in his responses. The Call of the Wild, on the other hand, is set in similarly dire circumstances, but written from the perspective of the formidable sled dog, Buck, and is also in novel form. Stickeen, another short story, is again written from the perspective of a man, but focuses heavily on his dog’s character and experiences, too. Lastly, Lad is the most lighthearted and episodic of the four titles and is wonderful for family reading.

Each of these books would be appropriate for a middle-aged reader to tackle independently, but all also make for excellent read-alouds. We especially recommend this type of book because it makes for great transition material between the many children’s books that feature animals and full-length novels!

Share Your Experience!

Do you have a favorite dog book or short story that we didn’t include here? Please let us know in the comments below!