The Leanin’ Dog by K.A. Nuzum The International Reading Association Children’s and Young Adult’s Book Award is given to new authors worldwide. The award is nominates authors that show a special promise for writing books for young readers. In 1987, the first two awards were presented and a third was added in 1995. Now there are a total of six to include Primary, Intermediate and Young Adult Fiction, Non-Fiction.The first novel by K.A Nuzum is a sweet and poignant story called The Leanin’ Dog. Being a lover of dogs is only a fraction of the reason to love this story of loss and emotional triumph. Too many times it is the tired story of a dog beloved by the family and then he dies. But Nuzum uses the injured awkwardness of this hound to help main character deal with the loss of her diabetic mother due to exposure to the elements in a way that makes Dessa Dean’s problems feel over her fear of leaving the safety of her house to feed the dog and eventually face the world.The Leanin’ Dog is worthy of the IRA Award because it is a twist on the same old dog story where without fail that hound is going to bite the dust. Instead, this animal companion helps a female character overcome a terrible trauma that and emphasizes resiliency, a trait we must instill in our children. This novel is unique and award material for another reason as well, it is timeless. Although it is based around the 1930s it is not limited to just this time frame because the emotions it elicits are not rooted in a specific time. For that reason I would consider K.A. Nuzum to be a gifted and inspiring author for our young readers. Leanin' Dog is a remarkable tween novel because there are only three characters - Dessa Dean, her father, and the dog. Taking place over a few days before Christmas, Dessa Dean and her father live in a backwoods area where he can hunt for their food. The mother has recently died, freezing to death in the woods and needing insulin, so I am not sure when the story takes place. It has a 1930's-1950's feel but could even be a contemporary story. Dessa Dean has both nightmares and "daymares" about freezing; the tips of her ears were frozen when she was with her mother in the woods. A dog comes along, who has a sore paw, and Dessa Dean befriends the dog. For a somewhat quiet, subtle book there is a very exciting incident near the last third of the book about a bear who comes into their house and threatens the girl and the dog. Sure to appeal to fans of WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS who would like another book like it, but where the dog lives!
What do You think about The Leanin' Dog (2008)?
Boring in the beginning but then it gets really good
—Apple
It was so good that I read it in a day.
—JRam956
