School Library Journal Review
Gr 6 Up-In seven vignettes, Paulsen recounts the story of his lead dog, Cookie, as she mates and gives birth, and her puppies mature toward their destiny-to race and pull sleds. Readers are drawn into that special bond between driver and lead dog through Paulsen's real-life experiences racing in Minnesota. (Keep a tissue handy for the last chapter, "Last Run.") Ruth Wright Paulsen's occasional paintings add warmth and charm to the book. The audience for this title is a problem, due to Paulsen's direct and often nostalgic writing style, although interested teens will read it. Those who loved the author's Woodsong (S & S, 1990) will find this new, "slimmer" volume to be a welcome addition.-Mollie Bynum, formerly at Chester Valley Elementary School, Anchorage, AK (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Paulsen is at the top of his form in this tribute to his sled dog Cookie, said PW in a starred review. It is easy to cross-shelve this book alongside adult titles, a love story every bit as much as an adventure story. Ages 10-up. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Reminiscing about raising sled dogs, Paulsen focuses on his primary lead dog, Cookie, and her last litter of puppies. Illustrated with eight paintings, the book begins with Cookie's mating, describes the pups' birth and growth, and ends with Cookie's death years later. These stories about the intense, loving bond between Paulsen and his dogs will intrigue dog fans. From HORN BOOK 1996, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Readers who aren't misled by the New Age subtitle--``Reflections on Being Raised by a Pack of Sled Dogs''--will find themselves along on a wonderful ride. Paulsen (Brian's Winter, 1996, etc.) is not known for writing love stories, but that's exactly what this lyrical, tender account is, showcasing Cookie, his primary lead dog for some 14,000 miles (including the path of the Iditarod), who saved Paulsen's life more than once. It's also the story of one of Cookie's litters of pups and the joy and inspiration Paulsen found in watching them learn and grow. He has fascinating tales to tell about how Cookie and the other adult dogs trained them. All wasn't work for the pups; the fun they had when Paulsen broke one of the cardinal rules for raising pups and let them into his house makes for a sidesplitting tale. The story remains, always, Cookie's, and when the day comes that she can no longer run because of arthritis, it nearly breaks her heart- -and Paulsen's too. Upon learning that his health will no longer permit him to run either, man and dog settle into a different life, one of domestic companionship, until Cookie's blessedly peaceful death (there will be, as they say, no dry eyes in the house). ``Such a bond, such a love I had with Cookie''--and such a book he wrote to share that love with others. (Nonfiction. 10+)