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Night of the Howling Dogs
DYLAN'S SCOUT TROOP goes camping in Halape, a remote spot below the volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. The only thing wrong with the weekend on a beautiful, peaceful beach is Louie, a tough older boy. Louie and Dylan just can't get along.
That night an earthquake rocks the camp, and then a wave rushes in, sweeping everyone and everything before it. Dylan and Louie must team up on a dangerous rescue mission. The next hours are an amazing story of survival and the true meaning of leadership.
That night an earthquake rocks the camp, and then a wave rushes in, sweeping everyone and everything before it. Dylan and Louie must team up on a dangerous rescue mission. The next hours are an amazing story of survival and the true meaning of leadership.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
74 people are currently reading
817 people want to read
About the author
Graham Salisbury
32 books98 followersGraham Salisbury comes from a 100-year line of newspapermen, all associated with Hawaii's morning paper, the Honolulu Advertiser. Although a career as a newsman could have been possible, Salisbury chose to imagine rather than report. "I enjoy writing about characters who might have been. To me, exploring fictional themes, situations, and lives is a quietly exhilarating experience. There are times when completely unexpected happenings take place as my fingertips walk the keyboard, things that make me laugh or get all choked up or even amaze me."
Salisbury's drive to write about the emotional journey that kids must take to become adults in a challenging and complicated world is evident throughout his work. Says the author: "I've thought a lot about what my job is, or should be as an author of books for young readers. I don't write to teach, preach, lecture, or criticize, but to explore. And if my stories show characters choosing certain life options, and the possible consequences of having chosen those options, then I will have done something worthwhile."
His books -- Eyes of the Emperor, Blue Skin of the Sea, Under the Blood-Red Sun, Shark Bait, Jungle Dogs, Lord of the Deep, Island Boyz and his short stories, too -- have been celebrated widely with praise and distinguished awards. Graham Salisbury, winner of the PEN/Norma Klein Award, grew up on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii. Later, he graduated from California State University, Northridge, and received an MFA degree from Vermont College of Norwich University. In fact, he was a member of the founding faculty of Vermont College's highly successful MFA program in Writing for Children, now the Union Institute & University.
Other important things to know about this author: He worked as the skipper of a glass-bottom boat, as a deckhand on a deep-sea charter fishing boat, and as an Montessori elementary school teacher. His
rock-and-roll band, The Millennium, had a number one hit in the Philippines, which he composed. He once surfed with a shark, got stung by a Portuguese man-of-war (several times!), and swam for his life from a moray eel. Believe it or not, he didn't wear shoes until the sixth grade and never saw snow until he was nineteen. Graham Salisbury now lives with his family in Portland, Oregon.
Salisbury's drive to write about the emotional journey that kids must take to become adults in a challenging and complicated world is evident throughout his work. Says the author: "I've thought a lot about what my job is, or should be as an author of books for young readers. I don't write to teach, preach, lecture, or criticize, but to explore. And if my stories show characters choosing certain life options, and the possible consequences of having chosen those options, then I will have done something worthwhile."
His books -- Eyes of the Emperor, Blue Skin of the Sea, Under the Blood-Red Sun, Shark Bait, Jungle Dogs, Lord of the Deep, Island Boyz and his short stories, too -- have been celebrated widely with praise and distinguished awards. Graham Salisbury, winner of the PEN/Norma Klein Award, grew up on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii. Later, he graduated from California State University, Northridge, and received an MFA degree from Vermont College of Norwich University. In fact, he was a member of the founding faculty of Vermont College's highly successful MFA program in Writing for Children, now the Union Institute & University.
Other important things to know about this author: He worked as the skipper of a glass-bottom boat, as a deckhand on a deep-sea charter fishing boat, and as an Montessori elementary school teacher. His
rock-and-roll band, The Millennium, had a number one hit in the Philippines, which he composed. He once surfed with a shark, got stung by a Portuguese man-of-war (several times!), and swam for his life from a moray eel. Believe it or not, he didn't wear shoes until the sixth grade and never saw snow until he was nineteen. Graham Salisbury now lives with his family in Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
April 2, 2014
Really enjoyed this book. Good story that gave a pretty decent portrayal of Scouting in the '70s and the dynamics of typical Hawaiian Scout troop. The story was exciting and held my attetion. For the Scout troop that my son and I were with when this book was first published, the book had special meaning. About a month or so before it came out, our troop had hiked the Hilina Pali trail and camped at Halape as part of a Big Island 50-miler. Halape was beautiful but we had a really rough night there as really high winds kicked in. Even though we had picked a fairly sheltered camp site, we had quite a few tents that blew down. Our scouts either doubled up with their friends or built emergency shelters (that actually held up better than the tents). The day after we finished our hike, we visited the Pacific Tsunami Museum in Hilo where we learned about the troop that had been caught on the beach (where we had just camped) during the tsunami. Needless to say, it caught our attention. Then this book came out about a month or so after we got back from the hike. Every boy and adult who had been on the hike ended up reading this book - including boys who did not normally like to read. We all agreed that it was a great story and how well the author portrayed the hike and the beach.
January 20, 2025
This book I found myself binge reading this no I’m reading it for the second time around.
This is based off a true story (well geologically wise.) Not joking this is one of my favorite books or my favorite book of all time. Why? Well this book is purely awesome it’s full of adventure and is pretty suspenseful at parts and keeps you very hooked. Also don’t even get me started on the character development in this book. Wow there is a lot, I would go deeper into this but I’ve decided not to spoil anything for those who want to read this book. A special part of this book would be the use of some Hawaiian words in the story and some Hawaiian folk tales are very interesting to read and learn a bit about.
I love this book! Very enjoyable and entertaining.
My favorite character would have to be Casey. :)
Anyways,
-Mace.
This is based off a true story (well geologically wise.) Not joking this is one of my favorite books or my favorite book of all time. Why? Well this book is purely awesome it’s full of adventure and is pretty suspenseful at parts and keeps you very hooked. Also don’t even get me started on the character development in this book. Wow there is a lot, I would go deeper into this but I’ve decided not to spoil anything for those who want to read this book. A special part of this book would be the use of some Hawaiian words in the story and some Hawaiian folk tales are very interesting to read and learn a bit about.
I love this book! Very enjoyable and entertaining.
My favorite character would have to be Casey. :)
Anyways,
-Mace.
February 16, 2013
IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF SOMEONE TELLS ME TO READ IT AGAIN I WILL SAY YYYEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
June 16, 2011
Dylan and his Boy Scout troop are going on a camping trip in a remote area of Hawaii. At first Dylan struggles with the responsibilities of being a leader in the group and his conflicts with Louie, a native Hawaiian with a chip on his shoulder. Then in the middle of the night an earthquake hits, followed by a tsunami, and Dylan and Louie must work together to help save their troop.
This was a good adventure story for reluctant readers. The characterization and writing isn't hugely strong, but the story is interesting and moves along quickly. Apparently the story is set in 1975, when a real incident like this occurred, but because the boys are camping the historical setting doesn't really make much of a difference (no technology, etc). I think this could have been an interesting story written up as a true account, but the fictionalized version is very accessible.
This was a good adventure story for reluctant readers. The characterization and writing isn't hugely strong, but the story is interesting and moves along quickly. Apparently the story is set in 1975, when a real incident like this occurred, but because the boys are camping the historical setting doesn't really make much of a difference (no technology, etc). I think this could have been an interesting story written up as a true account, but the fictionalized version is very accessible.
May 21, 2017
Based on true events in 1975, this tells the story of the earthquake and wave that hit a remote beach in Hawaii and battered a boy scout troop camping there. This had an added dimension of conflict between the boys and family-lives that were less than ideal, but they all stepped up to the challenge of survival and worked together to get everyone out alive. I found this book to be an enjoyable read and the events after the earthquake were gripping and made it hard to put the book down. There is an element of Hawaiian mythology spoken of in the book as well.
January 6, 2024
I read this as a prompt for a readathon (chantel’s read your bookshelf challenge) and I really enjoyed it! It’s about a scout troop camping near a remote volcano sight in Hawaii. A surprising 4.5 rounded up to 5🤭
July 29, 2024
It was a little hard keeping track of so many characters introduced all at once, but by the time I reached the halfway point of this book I was FLYING through it! The characters act just like boys would in real life, and it kept me entertained!
February 21, 2018
Night of the Howling Dogs by Graham Salisbury is about a bunch of boys in a boy scout group that go on a camping trip in one of the most remote places in Hawaii. The boys all have a lot of differences between them but they can somehow pull it together to make it work. At the campfire one night they talk about the legend of the night marchers which ends up making a huge difference in the book. Then in the middle of the night disaster strikes. Can everyone make it out or will the remoteness consume all of them.
I really liked this book because it is very detailed. An example of it being detailed is when Dylan slept on the floor and the ants came and it was very descriptive of that part. The characters and their personalities are very detailed and diverse. An example is how you can tell if they get along better or worse than the rest of the kids just from their personality I like the style of this book because it is adventurous and it gives a lot of detail. The characters were so detailed and acted so much like real people I think that the author had to have known some of these people. I like how they were so detailed that even though the landscape was so complex and they were moving around so much, but you could still picture in your mind what was happening, like when they were trying to find people after a disaster that happens and there was lava flows and a very complex landscape. I still had a perfect picture in my mind of where they were at and the image was very detailed thanks to the author.
The message that I feel like can be learned from this book is take time to learn how to communicate with other people and be able to work with them and forget about differences that they may have. Dylan doesn’t like some characters in the book but then he learns that they cant get mad at each other and that they just need to get to work and help each other despite if they don't like each other. I think we all need to learn that, just because we don't like someone doesn't mean that we can't work with them and help them out. Like how even though he didn’t like a certain kid he still helped him when he really needed it.
I really liked this book because it is very detailed. An example of it being detailed is when Dylan slept on the floor and the ants came and it was very descriptive of that part. The characters and their personalities are very detailed and diverse. An example is how you can tell if they get along better or worse than the rest of the kids just from their personality I like the style of this book because it is adventurous and it gives a lot of detail. The characters were so detailed and acted so much like real people I think that the author had to have known some of these people. I like how they were so detailed that even though the landscape was so complex and they were moving around so much, but you could still picture in your mind what was happening, like when they were trying to find people after a disaster that happens and there was lava flows and a very complex landscape. I still had a perfect picture in my mind of where they were at and the image was very detailed thanks to the author.
The message that I feel like can be learned from this book is take time to learn how to communicate with other people and be able to work with them and forget about differences that they may have. Dylan doesn’t like some characters in the book but then he learns that they cant get mad at each other and that they just need to get to work and help each other despite if they don't like each other. I think we all need to learn that, just because we don't like someone doesn't mean that we can't work with them and help them out. Like how even though he didn’t like a certain kid he still helped him when he really needed it.
January 24, 2009
The way Salisbury unfolded descriptive details of the terrain as the boys hiked down the lava flow, made me see it even though I have never been to Hawaii. I like to camp and hike, so the details of the way lava hardens made me FEEL the lava under my feet.
His unfolding of Louie's character made the antagonist seem like other boys in film and real life who appear surly and hateful of everyone when what they really want is to become a part of the group. Details of Louie, especially the way he would look when not looking, or when he helped the weaker members of the troop, slowly showed the reader what a good leader Louie could become and what a caring person he was. Dylan, who chose to be a leader, was struggling with whether to include or reject Louie as he developed his own leadership skills. His thoughts about Louie indicated a struggle in his mind regarding the outcast.
And finally, Graham Salisbury is a good story teller. He wove the culture and beliefs of Hawaiians into the strong descriptions of nature and the harmful effects of a tsunami using the howling dogs and Pele as foreshadows for the physical struggles of the the boys and men. The aura of camping in the wilderness, listening to scary stories around a campfire, and struggling to survive nature's vengeance made this a book hard to put down.
His unfolding of Louie's character made the antagonist seem like other boys in film and real life who appear surly and hateful of everyone when what they really want is to become a part of the group. Details of Louie, especially the way he would look when not looking, or when he helped the weaker members of the troop, slowly showed the reader what a good leader Louie could become and what a caring person he was. Dylan, who chose to be a leader, was struggling with whether to include or reject Louie as he developed his own leadership skills. His thoughts about Louie indicated a struggle in his mind regarding the outcast.
And finally, Graham Salisbury is a good story teller. He wove the culture and beliefs of Hawaiians into the strong descriptions of nature and the harmful effects of a tsunami using the howling dogs and Pele as foreshadows for the physical struggles of the the boys and men. The aura of camping in the wilderness, listening to scary stories around a campfire, and struggling to survive nature's vengeance made this a book hard to put down.
July 8, 2011
A survival story that is made all the more interesting by the fact that it actually happened. In 1975, a Boy Scout troop in Hawaii sets up camp for a few days in a remote ocean-side location. All is well until the island is rocked by a huge earthquake that is quickly followed by a tsunami.
I would actually give this one 3.5 stars, (quite possibly because I've got a minor in geosciences and am especially fascinated by earthquakes and volcanoes). However, the writing is almost a straight play-by-play of the events, and I would have liked a little more detail on the feelings of the characters as they were faced with these monumental struggles. This book will appeal to many mid to upper-elementary boys and may even catch some of those elusive reluctant readers. Aside from a brief mention of the main character's mother and sister, there are no women in the story at all, which makes it a bit of a harder sell for girls.
I would actually give this one 3.5 stars, (quite possibly because I've got a minor in geosciences and am especially fascinated by earthquakes and volcanoes). However, the writing is almost a straight play-by-play of the events, and I would have liked a little more detail on the feelings of the characters as they were faced with these monumental struggles. This book will appeal to many mid to upper-elementary boys and may even catch some of those elusive reluctant readers. Aside from a brief mention of the main character's mother and sister, there are no women in the story at all, which makes it a bit of a harder sell for girls.
November 11, 2010
Read for book club. This is a true story of a scout troup who went hiking and camping below a remote coastal volcano in Hawaii and got trapped in a huge earthquake and then a tsunami.
It was a little too kid-oritned for me (the writing, I mean). I got bored with the simple and juvenile dialogue. The best part of the book was of course figuring our how they would survive and get out. Then the authors notes provided lots of interesting insight. The author's cousin was actually in this scout troop and they hiked it again together for his research.
Anyway, it was a quick semi-interesting read, but it didn't change my life or antyhing.
It was a little too kid-oritned for me (the writing, I mean). I got bored with the simple and juvenile dialogue. The best part of the book was of course figuring our how they would survive and get out. Then the authors notes provided lots of interesting insight. The author's cousin was actually in this scout troop and they hiked it again together for his research.
Anyway, it was a quick semi-interesting read, but it didn't change my life or antyhing.
June 10, 2009
Great Read! I think this would be a good read aloud. Boys should really like the action and adventure. Scout troop goes on a camp-out at a remote site on the Hawaiian islands. They experience a large earthquake and then tsunami. Based on a true story of a scout troop in 1975.
Book List Starred 8/07, SLJ 8/07, Horn Book starred 4/08, book links 7/08, VOYA 8/07
Book of the Year 2008 List RL 3.5 Gr 3-7th
Book List Starred 8/07, SLJ 8/07, Horn Book starred 4/08, book links 7/08, VOYA 8/07
Book of the Year 2008 List RL 3.5 Gr 3-7th
September 20, 2012
This young adult, historical fiction is a winner. A boy scout narrates his troop's experiences while camping along the shore at Halape (Ha-la-pay) in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Having backpacked into the Halape with scouts myself, I found the author's descriptions right on the money. Having worked with boys scouts, I found character behaviors authentic as well. Story is fast paced and was worth my time. No offensive language or behaviors in the book.
September 17, 2009
I am eager to recommend this survival novel that takes place in Hawaii in 1975 and is based on the real experience of a group of Boy Scouts when there was an off shore earthquake of over 7 points. Tweens would relate to the adventure. The CD narrated by Robert Ramirez is well done and the suspense is excellent.
September 13, 2009
A group of scouts go on a camping trip on a Hawaiian island with an active volcano. They endure a massive earthquake when the volcano erupts. Survival story as well as story about relationships with difficult people. Good for adolescent boys. Geological interest too.
July 26, 2010
This book was amazing it shows how that when it comes to survival, anything can happen. Salisbury uses the real life situation of the 1975 7.2 earthquake and makes a somewhat real life story out of it. Great book :)
June 23, 2009
One of my favorites. Really cool and really good description.
June 17, 2020
This novel is based loosely on a real-life-experience.
Dylan goes camping with his Scout troop to a remote location in Halape on the island of Hawaii. This remote location is below a volcano and it is a pretty strenous hike into the location. Louie, a boy who has recently begun participating in the Troop, come along for the campout. Louie, who many peg as a trouble maker, and who is a rough older boy, is someone that Dylan has encountered in the past, and they just cannot seem to get along.
The campout is going fairly well, with only a few minor moments of tension between Dylan and Louie, when, suddenly, in the middle of the night, a powerful earthquake hits. Now, Dylan and Louie must work together to not only save themselves but the other members of the Troop, including the adult leaders.
Overall, I think that this book was pretty well done and I enjoyed it. My son is an Eagle Scout, so one of the things that I really appreciated was the attention to detail that the author, Salisbury, paid to how a Scout Troop works and how things are handled during campouts, parlary when it comes to the buddy system and safety.
The primary audience for this book is younger readers, so one of the other things that I really appreciated was Salisbury's touching on the tensions that are often present between native islanders and non-native residents of Hawaii. Salisbury did a good job of including some of these tensions, especially with regard to how Louie viewed Dylan, a Causcaian kid. Salsibury's treatment of this tension was subtle without devolving into stereotypes or being too heavy-handed. Additionally, Salibury did a really good job of explaining Hawaiian beliefs in Pele and warning signs or spirits, again without relying on stereotypes.
In many ways, this is a coming of age story for both Dylan and Louie, as they draw on their Scout skills but also their life experiences to survive this ordeal and get help for others. Salisbury did a really good job of building the character of Louie and helping Dylan see that Louie was not necessary the "bad kid" that he assumed he was despite the tough exterior. He also did a really good job of allowing us to see the growth of both characters throught the ordeal they were experiencing.
So, overall, I would recommend this as a good quick read, especially for the target age group.
Dylan goes camping with his Scout troop to a remote location in Halape on the island of Hawaii. This remote location is below a volcano and it is a pretty strenous hike into the location. Louie, a boy who has recently begun participating in the Troop, come along for the campout. Louie, who many peg as a trouble maker, and who is a rough older boy, is someone that Dylan has encountered in the past, and they just cannot seem to get along.
The campout is going fairly well, with only a few minor moments of tension between Dylan and Louie, when, suddenly, in the middle of the night, a powerful earthquake hits. Now, Dylan and Louie must work together to not only save themselves but the other members of the Troop, including the adult leaders.
Overall, I think that this book was pretty well done and I enjoyed it. My son is an Eagle Scout, so one of the things that I really appreciated was the attention to detail that the author, Salisbury, paid to how a Scout Troop works and how things are handled during campouts, parlary when it comes to the buddy system and safety.
The primary audience for this book is younger readers, so one of the other things that I really appreciated was Salisbury's touching on the tensions that are often present between native islanders and non-native residents of Hawaii. Salisbury did a good job of including some of these tensions, especially with regard to how Louie viewed Dylan, a Causcaian kid. Salsibury's treatment of this tension was subtle without devolving into stereotypes or being too heavy-handed. Additionally, Salibury did a really good job of explaining Hawaiian beliefs in Pele and warning signs or spirits, again without relying on stereotypes.
In many ways, this is a coming of age story for both Dylan and Louie, as they draw on their Scout skills but also their life experiences to survive this ordeal and get help for others. Salisbury did a really good job of building the character of Louie and helping Dylan see that Louie was not necessary the "bad kid" that he assumed he was despite the tough exterior. He also did a really good job of allowing us to see the growth of both characters throught the ordeal they were experiencing.
So, overall, I would recommend this as a good quick read, especially for the target age group.
March 19, 2024
Dylan and his team of boy scouts set up camp in the most remote spot in Hawaii. It's a wild and beautiful place, and it’s a haven for Dylan until disaster strikes...
I had actually read “Night of the Howling Dogs” way back in high school and really enjoyed re-reading it as an adult. It’s a cool story, based on a true event, about how one night changes everyone’s lives and brings them closer together. I especially liked the group dynamics among the boys and descriptions of scout life on the island. I loved how the characters come to respect and admire each other, brought closer together by unexpected tragedy.
The beginning is a bit slow and there are a lot of characters introduced at once, which made keeping track of them all a bit of a challenge. However, Salisbury uses short sentences to keep you turning pages (I read the book in essentially one night!), and his descriptions made me picture every scene. Once the story picks up, I could really feel the terror and confusion that the characters were going through. I read it during a power outage with wind howling outside, so that added to the atmosphere lol. There were also elements of Hawaiian mythology that were fun to learn about and enhanced the story’s setting.
One critique I have is that despite the boys going through dangerous situations, I never really felt like anyone was in true danger. I.e., I never expected anyone to die, so the stakes weren’t as high as they could have been (whether or not my suspicions were true, I will not say :D). I also felt like the ending was a bit convenient.
All in all though, it was a fun read!
I had actually read “Night of the Howling Dogs” way back in high school and really enjoyed re-reading it as an adult. It’s a cool story, based on a true event, about how one night changes everyone’s lives and brings them closer together. I especially liked the group dynamics among the boys and descriptions of scout life on the island. I loved how the characters come to respect and admire each other, brought closer together by unexpected tragedy.
The beginning is a bit slow and there are a lot of characters introduced at once, which made keeping track of them all a bit of a challenge. However, Salisbury uses short sentences to keep you turning pages (I read the book in essentially one night!), and his descriptions made me picture every scene. Once the story picks up, I could really feel the terror and confusion that the characters were going through. I read it during a power outage with wind howling outside, so that added to the atmosphere lol. There were also elements of Hawaiian mythology that were fun to learn about and enhanced the story’s setting.
One critique I have is that despite the boys going through dangerous situations, I never really felt like anyone was in true danger. I.e., I never expected anyone to die, so the stakes weren’t as high as they could have been (whether or not my suspicions were true, I will not say :D). I also felt like the ending was a bit convenient.
All in all though, it was a fun read!
March 28, 2018
In the book "Night of the Howling Dogs" by Graham Salisbury, the claim is that working together as a team you can survive. Dylan is the main character and his dad is rarely around and Dylan is tall and strong. Other kids don't think of Dylan as a man so Dylan is put to the test and has to work with his most hated scout on the trip,Louis, in Hawaii and will face challenges faced like an earthquake followed by a tsunami.
I gave this book a review of 5 stars because I thought it was a really good book. It might have been play by play but the book was still suspenseful and fun to read. If i could I would read this book again. Plus this book is a true story which makes this book ten times better because this actually happen to real people and you can read what what they went through to overcome this hardship.
I would definitely recommend people to read this book because it is fictional and it is fun to read. Especially if you like to read stories that are action that go through natural disasters to natural disasters to survive.
I gave this book a review of 5 stars because I thought it was a really good book. It might have been play by play but the book was still suspenseful and fun to read. If i could I would read this book again. Plus this book is a true story which makes this book ten times better because this actually happen to real people and you can read what what they went through to overcome this hardship.
I would definitely recommend people to read this book because it is fictional and it is fun to read. Especially if you like to read stories that are action that go through natural disasters to natural disasters to survive.
July 20, 2023
Graham Salisbury does an excellent job of showing how the perils of a physical setting bonds people together on a Boy Scout camping trip. The setting of this novel is on the Big Island of Hawaii near the Kilauea volcano. The scouts have to walk across two types of lava in the book. One type of lava is the dry and smooth type called pahoehoe. A'a is the rough and jagged type of lava. Both types of lava are very hot, and Salisbury shows how the scouts help each other navigate through this tough terrain.
An earthquake is the other peril in the book. This 7.2 earthquake causes several characters to almost drown, break their arms, injure their knees and endure extreme heat. There is an immediate response to each calamity. I enjoy reading how the scouts solved each problem as it arose. The visual quality of the writing is very clear in the book. I really enjoyed this aspect of Night of the Howling Dogs.
An earthquake is the other peril in the book. This 7.2 earthquake causes several characters to almost drown, break their arms, injure their knees and endure extreme heat. There is an immediate response to each calamity. I enjoy reading how the scouts solved each problem as it arose. The visual quality of the writing is very clear in the book. I really enjoyed this aspect of Night of the Howling Dogs.
October 27, 2019
Admittedly, this book is not geared toward 40yo women. It is geared toward Middle Schoolers...... and that is why I read it! My 6th grade son read this for his Language Arts class and I volunteered to lead the book discussion once they finished reading it. And while I didn't necessarily love the book, I did love the book discussion! Fun to hear the comments and insights of a small group of middle schoolers, some of which were scouts, some of which had been to Hawaii..... various life events that they could relate to in various ways to the book. For the record, none of them (there were 6) gave the book 5 stars, but most of them gave it 4 and I think one or two of them gave it 3 stars. So, it's probably worth the read if you are/have a middle schooler!
January 2, 2023
Dylan and his fellow boy scouts have a planned hike down the south flank of Kilauea to a remote stretch of beach on the Hawaiian coast. Dylan plans for the perfect trip are turned upside down with the inclusion of the newest member of the troop, Louie. A sulking bully who taunts and teases Dylan at every opportunity. Dylan’s feeling of dread is heightened with the sighting of howling dogs and campfire stories of ghosts and ancient Hawaiian legends. Salisbury’s fictional account of the events of November 1975 begins slowly with good character development. After the earthquake and tsunami the characters courage and strength to survive are revealed in a well written and compelling ending.
April 22, 2018
Dylan and the other members of his scout pack are off for a three-day trip, trekking through jungle and across old lava flows along the Hawaiian coast. Tensions and distrust fade in importance on the night the world falls apart.
Scouts and scuffles. Howling dogs and Hawaiian cowboys. Stink water and starry nights. Epicenters and fighting for survival. Fascinating peek into Hawaiian climate and culture, including brief touches on folklore. What brave boys. Tight pacing to the finish. Putting this in my favorites pile. Would re-read.
Scouts and scuffles. Howling dogs and Hawaiian cowboys. Stink water and starry nights. Epicenters and fighting for survival. Fascinating peek into Hawaiian climate and culture, including brief touches on folklore. What brave boys. Tight pacing to the finish. Putting this in my favorites pile. Would re-read.
January 23, 2022
Salisbury is a master of suspense. I've been to Halape and so have some of my students. We could all relate to this story. I wish the reader could pronounce Hawaiian words and I'm sure this must be so hard for Salisbury to know this terrible pronunciation was allowed (same for books by Theroux). There should be an accent on the last syllable of Halape, not the first. But the kids and I agreed the story was more important than the terrible pronunciation and we would forgive it. Excellent book for grade five!
September 21, 2025
I read this once when I was younger before my first visit to Halape in 8th grade. I had kept the book on my bookshelf although it was momentarily forgotten until recently. This summer I spent the summer working in the backcountry of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which included many many camping trips at Halape. I told myself that at the end of the summer I would re read the book and I did. It captures the beauty of Halape and the history of it so beautifully and made me wonder how It looked nearly 50 years ago.
September 1, 2024
This book was worth the read, albeit the beginning feels slow and the character introductions are so brief, it is difficult to keep everybody straight. This would be a great book for a boy in late elementary or middle school. The book is a fictionalized account of a true story. A Scout troop in Hawaii (the Big Island) faces a natural disaster while on a weekend campout. Once the action picks up, it is high tension for the remainder of the book.
December 1, 2024
I spent the last few weeks working on finishing books I didn’t like so I got this one instead and finished it in one sitting. Perfect for getting back in the swing of your book grind. I love this author and every book I read by him is lovely. Another coming of age story with deep characters and lots of emotion. The style of writing makes it super easy to read and follow along. I love books that highlight the complexities of friendship and bonds other than just romance.
May 5, 2018
201819 Battle of the Books pick. This book is based on a true story, which definitely adds to the awe inspiring events that this group of Scouts survived during a catastrophic earthquake and ensuing tsunami. My colleagues always have amazing book recommendations, and this book did not disappoint. I could not put it down, so I know our students will be hooked as well.
September 24, 2019
This book is "I Survived" on steroids. There's action from the very beginning, both from the characters and the natural environment. Based on a true story that the author's cousin lived through, a Boy Scout troop goes on a weekend camping trip along a remote beach in Hawaii and an earthquake and tsunami hits. Highly recommended!
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