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 world and prove to his family and his sergeant–and everyone else who didn’t think he was cut out for war–wrong. But sometimes Rick can’t help but wonder that maybe everyone else is right. Maybe he should have just stayed at home and worked in his dad’s hardware store. When Cracker is paired with Rick, she isn’t so sure about this new owner. He’s going to have to prove himself to her before she’s going to prove herself to him. They need to be friends before they can be a team, and they have to be a team if they want to get home alive.
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"I was afraid to read this b/c I thought it would be too sad. I survived, and even really enjoyed going along with Cracker on his journey. I liked that the book was about Vietnam War since I had never read anything that was based in Vietnam during the war. I will highly recommend this book to my middle school students." — Jamie (4 out of 5 stars)
"I was afraid to read this b/c I thought it would be too sad. I survived, and even really enjoyed going along with Cracker on his journey. I liked that the book was about Vietnam War since I had never read anything that was based in Vietnam during the war. I will highly recommend this book to my middle school students."
" Cracker tells the story of an army scout dog who worked with his human counterpart and handler during the Vietnam war. I did not know about scout dogs and found it to be an interesting story. This is an engaging book and could be the basis for many discussions about war and armed military conflict. "
" I think it was a great book because it made me feel like I was cracker. It also had just enough detail. "
" Live the Vietnam war through a dog's eye and her handler Rick Hanski. Cynthia Kadohata has created a great historical fiction novel. Her research in preparation for writing this novel speaks volumes. It will be a story that I recommend to my students for years to come. "
" This is a very good book! "
" This was a really great book. It is about how the Army used dogs in the Vietnam War. Historical fiction so to speak. Not too gory as most war books can get, but you come away still with a very clear sense of all the emotions war brings. "
" This book was good. awesome story line. the point of view was skewed sometimes but overall a good read. "
" I loved the way Kadohata developed Cracker's character and personality.A better than average animal story. "
" The family listened to this story in the car on a road trip. Perfect for everyone in the car from age 3 - 17 and adult. Good story told from the perspective of the dog. Well done. "
" amazing book! taken from the dog's point of view as she is ripped from her loving family and shipped off to the army to become the best guide dog in vietnam. this book touched my heart, loved it so much! "
" Wow! How many times can one book make me cry? Several, if it's a book like this one. At first, I had a little trouble with the POV, but after a bit, I relaxed and just went with it. And it was totally worth the journey. "
" This was a great book. It was slightly violent and sad, but simply showed the life for a war dog. Gave you a peek into the Vietnam war. I would recommend this to any middle schooler. "
" German Shepherd is trained to be special forces dog during Vietnam War. Great story. "
" i half read this book, but i dropped it because i was borrowing it from someone, and they wanted it back "
" Most bestest book ever...one of my faves. "
" A great book that keeps your blood turning all the way to the end. "
" This book is very interesting and I went to Vietnam and Say the statue. I saw before the book came out and in the back with the picture I recognized it. This book is great for people who like wars, army, and etc. Cracker will never get old I read it like 3 times "
" Best book I have ever read. i can read it a thousand times and it will never get old. "
" Picked this out for my 9 year old because it had history and it was about a dog. He liked it so much that I read it. Great book! "
" My notes say "good Book, Excellent Author" I liked the thoughts from the Dogs perspective. "
" The story of a patrol dog in Vietnam. Good story, better than most dog stories. "
" Cracker, a dog, is sent to an army camp. She resists every thing and every person! Phenomenal! "
" Very good book. Cracker was amazing. The Vietnam war was awful, but this book was about Cracker, the best dog in Vietnam, and her story. "
" great...sad..and happy "
" This book is about a German Shepherds who leaves his family in the United States to go and serve in the army in the Vietnam. I loved it. I love dogs! Cracker was a hero. "
" another quintessential boy read. A common read for school reading...historical fiction that boys will really like. "
" I'm so glad they could be together! The man and the dog give me hope that friendship does exist in this world. "
" A gripping portrait of the Vietnam War from the viewpoint of a dog and her handler. "
" Great book! Based on facts about Vietnam and the use of dogs in war. "
" Great historical fiction!! About a dog named Cracker who helps her handler, Rick Hanski, in the Vietnam War. "
" My 12-year-old son and I really enjoyed listening to this book on CD in the car. I had no idea the role dogs and dog handlers played in the Vietnam War, and I enjoyed hearing the details of how the soldiers were trained and bonded with their dogs. Educational and moving. "
" Suffice it to say I read this book because I had to.... HAD TO. "
" This was an interesting book, that I actually re-read a few times. I love it when cracker narrates... "
" this book is about a dog whos owner has to give him up to the ARMY because his appartment dosent allow dogs. Cracker is then shipped to vietnam, were she meets Rick her new owner and they form a bond and end up saveing each others lives "
" i loved it you guys really should read it if you like to read about dogs and historical fiction war stuff! "
Cynthia Kadohata is the author of the National Book Award winner The Thing About Luck; several Newbery Medal winners, including Kira-Kira and Weedflower; and several critically acclaimed adult novels. She has published numerous short stories in such journals as the New Yorker, Ploughshares, and Grand Street. She lives with her son and dog in West Covina, California.
Kimberly Farr is an actress and winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards for narration. She has appeared on Broadway and at the New York Shakespeare Festival, the Roundabout Theatre, Playwright’s Horizons, and the American Place. She created the role of “Eve” in Arthur Miller’s first and only musical, Up from Paradise, which was directed by the author. She appeared with Vanessa Redgrave in the Broadway production of The Lady from the Sea and has acted in regional theaters across the country, including a performance in the original production of The 1940’s Radio Hour at Washington, DC’s Arena Stage.
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