Cracker!: The Best Dog in Vietnam

by Cynthia Kadohata

Book Overview

CRACKER IS ONE OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY'S MOST VALUABLE WEAPONS: a German shepherd trained to sniff out bombs, traps, and the enemy. The fate of entire platoons rests on her keen sense of smell. She's a Big Deal, and she likes it that way. Sometimes Cracker remembers when she was younger, and her previous owner would feed her hot dogs and let her sleep in his bed. That was nice, too. Rick Hanski is headed to Vietnam. There, he's going to whip the...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416906371
• ISBN13: 9781416906377
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.93 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.3" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 10 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 9

Customer Reviews

My son could not put down!

Ordered this book for my son after he read her book “Checked” and loved it... Cracker was just as good he said & he read it in 3 days and was so into the story. He’s 10 years old/5th grade.

Wonderful

Cynthia Kadohata stays true to the child's viewpoint in plain, beautiful prose that can barely contain the passionate feelings. Cracker is one of the United States Army's most valuable weapons. She's a German Shepard trained to sniff out bombs, traps, and enemy soldiers. The safely of everyone around her depends on her keen sense of smell and intelligence. Soldier Rick Hanski is headed to war. He wants to show the world, especially his father and his sergeant, that he has what it takes to be a great soldier. But sometimes Rick wonders if he really is capable of facing the challenges of battle. When Cracker is paired with Rick, it isn't easy for either of them. They need to be friends before they can be a team, and they must be a team if they want to get home alive. You'll join Cracker & Rick as they develop a deep friendship in this unforgettable book from Newbery Medal-winning author Cynthia Kadohata.

Great War Dog Story

Cracker is a terrific story about one of the unsung heroes of the Vietnam War, namely the K9's. It's great the way the author has written from both the soldier and the dog's point of view. It's also great to see that war dogs are finally getting some attention. This book also introduces the Vietnam War to a new generation of kids. The war and the dogs that saved so many lives should never be forgotten. Anyone interested in another war dog historical fiction--this time a World War II real war dog hero should try Chips a Hometown Hero. Chips: A Hometown Hero Both of these books are great for any dog lover's collection!

Not just for dog people...

I know what a gifted writer Cynthia Kadohata is, but I still wasn't expecting to fall in love with this book the way I did. I'm...er...not exactly a dog person. There are certain dogs I really like, but I don't like it when strange dogs come bounding up and jump on me during my morning run. Anyway, I thought this might be a book for dog people, but it's much more than that. Cynthia Kadohata does a remarkable job letting us inside the minds of Rick, an angry young man who is sent off to Vietnam as a new dog handler and his dog, Cracker. When the narrative slips into Cracker's point of view, it does so seamlessly and convincingly. Not surprisingly, Rick is changed dramatically by his experiences in Vietnam and by the relationship he forges with Cracker. Cracker, too, becomes a different kind of dog - more in tune with her instincts and committed to the job she has been given. Cracker's story is compelling and eye-opening, and this novel provides a realistic look at what went on in Vietnam while remaining appropriate for older middle grade readers. This is probably one for the 10-14 crowd, and it's not a book that's just for boys. The 7th grade girl I loaned it to this week returned it with a glowing review the next day. Meanwhile, I'm still wiping my eyes, but in a good way. Cracker, Rick, and Cynthia Kadohata won my heart with this one - a historical novel and dog story that's not just for dog lovers and history buffs, but for all of us.

Read it twice in one day!

I never read, but I love dogs and I love war storied, so when I saw this sitting at the book store, I decided the worst that could happen is it'd just sit around. I picked it up the first chance I got bored and read it, then read it again. It normally takes me 3 weeks to read a full book! This book is just so captivating and lively it's amazing! My dad was in Vietnam and he said they followed all of the details of the vocabulary, the scenery, the procedures and the team themselves to the "T". It's just an AMAZING book and I'd suggest it to kids from as young as 12 to people as old as 95!

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

This book tells the story of a Vietnam hero. It's not your usual run-of-the-mill war story because it's told from two points of view. A young soldier named Rick Hanski and a German shepherd he trained for the military share the spotlight as they recount their adventures from training camp to active duty in the jungles of Vietnam. Cracker and Rick are paired together in training to sniff out bombs, booby-traps, and enemy soldiers. Neither one is too sure of the other at first, but they eventually become inseparable friends and soldiers. Rick's goal is to prove his worth and "whip the world," and Cracker is by his side throughout the experience. Cynthia Kadohata gives the reader detailed descriptions of the dog training process, as well as a view of the dog handler/animal relationship. The scenes set in Vietnam provide a close-encounter type look that makes the reader feel part of the action. Cracker is a book for anyone with a love and respect for the intelligence of animals and an interest in how they can interact with and serve humanity. Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"