Yellow Dog

by Miriam Korner

Overview

"Körner hits the mark exploring the passions of a young boy and his relationships... Heartwarming and optimistic."
— Kirkus Reviews

"Körner, a Saskatchewan resident and sled dog owner, vividly portrays life in the Canadian north, including a shocking scene with a stray dog, and seeds the novel with authentic dog team culture and history. VERDICT Hand this touching coming-of-age adventure to fans of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet."
— School Library Journal

Jeremy lives in a small community where winters are long and stray dogs roam the streets. When peer pressure leads Jeremy into a bad prank, he is immediately struck with guilt — and that's when his life changes forever. Trying to make amends, Jeremy befriends Yellow Dog and in the process meets a curious old man who introduces him to the adventures of dog sledding. Soon Jeremy is forming his own old-time dog team that includes Yellow Dog and in the process, discovers more about himself — and the old man — than he ever thought possible.

A Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Awards nominee for 2018

On CCBC's Best Books for Kids and Teens starred selection

A VOYA Magazine Top Shelf Fiction Award Winner for 2017

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780889955462
Publisher:	Red Deer Press
Publication date:	10/26/2016
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.40(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	11 - 14 Years

About the Author

Miriam Korner originally from Germany, is a writer, photographer, illustrator and wilderness guide. She lives in a small cabin surrounded by her sled dogs near La Ronge, Saskatchewan. When she is not exploring the vast wilderness of Canada's Far North by dog team or canoe Miriam writes about her adventures for Mushing, West, Up Here, Outpost, Prairies North, and other magazines. Yellow Dog is her first novel for young adults and was a finalist in the Writing for Children Competition.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER ONE

"Hey, Jeremy! Dare yah to pull that dog's tail."

Justin's smug smile says it all. He doesn't think I'm gonna do it. To be honest, I'd rather not. It's not that I'm scared of that scruffy yellow dog. Although it doesn't exactly help that a dog bit Justin's brother just a couple days ago. It didn't even look all that vicious compared to this dog here. If it wasn't for the yellow color of his fur, I'd say he almost looks like a wolf.

"Come on, Jeremy, I don't have all day. If you're too chicken, just say so." Justin walks a few steps down the dusty gravel road like he has lost all interest. His back is turned to me, but I can still feel his eyes digging into me sharp as a knife.

I don't really understand what Justin's problem is with dogs. I never thought much of it, when it was just throwing rocks. We all did that. But something is different now, and I don't know if Justsin just got meaner of I just don't enjooy is so much anymore. I mean, it's easy to throw a rock and watch the dog snap at the air, not knowing what attacked him, but if you hit a dog or pull its tail and the dog actually knows it's you...

I quickly put the thought aside and squeeze through the opening in the fence. The yellow dog is sleeping by the front step - or what's left of it. Man, this house is in bad shape. It's not like any of the houses in Poplar Point would ever make the front cover of one of those "Happy Living" magazines, or whatever they're called. I don't even know why my mom reads them. But that's not the point. The point is that this house looks old, real old. The windows are either boarded up or covered in plastic. It doesn't have vinyl siding like the other houses. It's made of real logs. They are all silver gray. Like the driftwood by the beach.

I try to sneak up on the dog, but I'm still ten feet away when he opens his eyes. He gets up very slowly. His dark eyes look right through me, like he's trying to figure out if I'm the predator or the prey. I quickly pick up a couple rocks - just in case. And then the strangest thing happens. The dog wags his tail. Just ever so slightly. Why?

My muscles tense. I'm ready to bolt. But the dog rolls over like a puppy that wants a belly rub. I crouch down and reach for his tail. This is a lot easier that I thought. All I have to do now is pull and run. Only I can't.

I rest my hand on the dog's belly and glance over my shoulder. Justin is watching me from behind the fence.

"Sorry, pal," I whisper and yank his tail. The yellow dog yips as if he'd just stepped into a wasps' nest. He scrambles to his feet and turns in tight circles, snapping at his back end. His tail hangs between his legs - like a lifeless rag. I bite my lip. I don't think I pulled that hard.

I hear laughter from the fence but it sounds far away like when you're just waking up from a bad dream. Only this isn't a dream.

"I didn't think you had it in you, man!" Justin slaps me on the back.

I don't remember how I got to the other side of the fence. Justin smiles at me like I proved myself worthy of his friendship. But today, this doesn't make me proud.

"Are you crying?!" It sounds like Justin is whipping one word out after the other. "I. Can't. Believe. It."

"It's just dust, you idiot!" I push Justin and walk away. The yellow dog's cry is stining in my ears.

Editorial Reviews

02/01/2017
Gr 6–9—With little to do in a small Canadian town, it is easy to drift into trouble, and that is where 13-year-old Jeremy is headed. His friend Justin constantly eggs on his acts of mischief, as on the day he dares Jeremy to pull off the tail of a yellow dog that they spy outside a cabin at the edge of town. Anxious to please Justin, Jeremy complies, but he finds himself conscious-stricken at hurting the friendly dog. To make reparations, Jeremy begins hanging around the dog, offering him food and friendship. The old man who owns the dog notices Jeremy and reaches out with small overtures of friendship. Although Jeremy's widowed mother orders him to stay away from the old man, the boy is drawn to the dog and the old man's stories about running a dogsled team. When Jeremy adopts three of the many stray dogs roaming the town and starts training his own dog team, his friendship with Justin is tested as the other boy reacts jealously to Jeremy's new interest. Eventually, lives and relationships hang in the balance as things spin out of control. Körner, a Saskatchewan resident and sled dog owner, vividly portrays life in the Canadian north, including a shocking scene with a stray dog, and seeds the novel with authentic dog team culture and history. VERDICT Hand this touching coming-of-age adventure to fans of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet.—Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor School District, Lancaster, PA

School Library Journal

2017-01-17
Jeremy and his best friend, Justin, seem inseparable until Jeremy's newfound interest in dogs and a mysterious old man threaten their friendship.Thirteen-year-old Jeremy lives with his mother in the small Cree community of Poplar Point. He usually splits his time among school, home, and hanging out with Justin. When he and Justin cross paths with an old yellow dog and its elderly owner, Jack, Jeremy's life changes. The old man is strange. He chooses to live in an old log cabin and speaks to Jeremy as if they've met before. Jeremy soon bonds with Jack. The elder knows everything about dog sledding and the old ways of trapping and fishing. Once his mother catches wind of his new mentor, however, she bristles at the relationship. Moreover, Justin hates dogs and resents the time Jeremy spends with Yellow Dog. Körner hits the mark exploring the passions of a young boy and his relationships. The intergenerational relationship between Jack and Jeremy explores Cree culture and language with familiarity rather than cold observation. Jeremy's interest in his culture and history could spark conversations with readers' elders and others about history and traditions. Körner also gently transforms Justin's understanding of Jeremy and dogs. Simmering with resentment and pride, Justin learns why Jeremy loves dogs and how to participate in his interests, beautifully demonstrating the hard work it takes to remain open-minded despite past trauma. Heartwarming and optimistic. (Fiction. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews