Dogs of War

by Sheila Keenan, Sheila Keenan

Sheila Keenan's captivating stories, paired with Nathan Fox's stunning art, bring the heroic military actions of man's best friend to life!

Some war heroes heard the wind whistling over a hidden trip wire.
Some war heroes sniffed out a sniper 1,000 yards away.
Some war heroes stood tall . . . on four legs!

DOGS OF WAR is a graphic novel that tells the stories of the canine military heroes of World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War. This collection of three fictional stories was inspired by historic battles and real military practice. Each story tells the remarkable adventures of a soldier and his service dog and is rendered with fascinating and beautiful detail, bringing to life the faithful dogs who braved bombs, barrages, and battles to save the lives of countless soldiers.

Based on the real-life roles of military dogs that served as Red Cross rescuers, messengers, scouts, search-and-rescue teams, sentries, and mascots, DOGS OF WAR captures both the adventure and the devastation brought on by war, as well as the celebrations of life and friendship between boys and their dogs.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Historical Fiction, War, Young Adult, Comics, Animals, Dogs

202 pages, Hardcover

First published October 29, 2013

About the author

Sheila Keenan is an established author of fiction and nonfiction for young people. Her books include the Eisner-nominated graphic novel Dogs of War, the picture book As the Crow Flies, I Spy The Illuminati Eye, and O, Say Can You See? America’s Symbols, Landmarks and Inspiring Words, among other selected titles. She lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Crystal Bandel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dogs of War by Sheila Keenan, illustrated by Nathan Fox, published 2013.

Historical fiction.

Graphic novel.

Grades 7-10.

Found via Booklist, reviewed by Francisca Goldsmith.

Dogs of War looks at three dogs who participated in military service during World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War, as well as the impacts they had on their owners. "Boots" takes place during World War I, with a dog who was involved in the famous Christmas truce between the British and German soldiers. "Loki" is a sled dog in Greenland during World War II, where he helps his trainer survive being tracked by Nazis. The final story, "Sheba," shows how the dog helped troops detect Viet Cong threats and the impact on her trainer after he was sent home without her and is trying to recalibrate to normal life. Each of these stories highlights how dogs are helpful to soldiers as comfort and battlefield support, and dog lovers will especially enjoy this aspect of the graphic novel. The art supports the narratives well, with a good attention to the details of body language, though action scenes can get a little confusing. Reviewer Goldsmith agrees that the art is strong, stating, "Fox's beautiful, detailed, and deeply colored imagery excels in depicting riveting soldier and dog lives in these varied conflicts and landscapes." There are of course instances of violence, due to the nature of the book, but it treats the subject realistically and is free of language or other concerns.

[Lee G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about dogs and their duties in the war. What more would I have to say to make anyone want to pick this book up? But, if you insist. This book is about three dogs that served in the war and saved/helped their owners in battle. The first dog goes by the name of Boots and she finds wounded soldiers on the battlefield and reports back to the medical team. Once they have been alerted to the injured soldier, they grab a stretcher and follow Boots to the person. They pack him up and bring him back to the trenches for medical support.
The next warrior is Loki. A dogsled trained hound that is used to bring Greenlanders across the dunes of snow. Loki and his trainer spotted a plane that had crashed landed. As they rush to the wreck, they find a pilot that is severely wounded and needs a medic immediately. They pack him up on the sled and just as they were arriving back at H.Q. he wakes up and starts saying the name of a mystery item that you will have to read to find out what it is.
Last but definitely not least we have a scout dog that goes by the name of Sheba. This hound has saved and been saved by her owner many times. She is very key to the last story and it really makes you open your eyes to what war is really like and what it does to people. I definitely recommend this book if you have not read it yet. (These stories take place in WWI, WWII, and the Vietnam War. No dogs/animals die in this novel.)

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 2 out of 5]

Keenan, Sheila and Illustrated by Fox, Nathan Dogs of War 208 pgs. GRAPHIX., 2013. $16.99 Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG.
This graphic novel features the stories three dogs and the wars they were a part of: World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War. We meet Boots and his owner, a young boy who is an unofficial med tech. They find soldiers still alive, so they can be treated and rescued. Next is Loki and his trainer in Greenland, together they face Nazi’s and a freezing night outside. Finally we meet Sheba, a dog who was always there for his trainer, yet never allowed to come home. In this final story we also meet a young boy and his dog, who help heal this wound.

I wanted to love this book, I really did, but I think students will be a bit lost. The first story was incredibly confusing, the artwork adding to the complexity. The role the heroic dog played was only briefly mentioned, the plot centering around the boy instead. The second story was ok but didn't really convince me the dog was a hero, more of moral support. The final story was heartbreaking and the easiest to understand of all three. I was bawling. I wonder though, if students will understand it, as much of it had to do with the stigma of the war, and PTSD. Maybe a teacher could bring these to life better than a student reading on their own.

EL, MS -OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

[Damon Kimball · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good this author did really good on drawing the pictures writing the dialogue and even narrating the book with the boxes in the pictures. Mrs. Morgan if you have already read this or haven't yet, it is sad and I give you a warning if you read it, but besides that, it is a really great book and I definitely will find more like this and more that I don't know at all.

[Rokko Kuhtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has 3 interesting stories about dogs that were in wars. I rate to read this book, because you know more about history. It's kind of sad for the dogs (I almost cried), because they have to survive in the wars. When you read it you kind of know more about that wars are very sad...But it was very very interesting how they survive and that they travel allot.

[Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

theme of the book was friendship because the men and there dogs are at war and they are best friends and are always looking out for each other in the war

[TristanP. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for a graphic novel! The drawings were great. Each of the three stories told in this book was great. I like how the author would make a connection between the dog and the person in every story. I also liked how the author would take his time and split the book into three sections, to explain each dog in the book. Overall, the good was good.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dogs of War is a graphic novel that looks into the lives of 3 service dogs and their trainers. Starting with a brief map orientation and time setting, each dog and young trainer is introduced and their war situation quickly unfolds in a series of action-filled panels that keep pages flipping.

This graphic novel seems to be aimed largely at boys between 3rd grade and middle school. It could be used with high school students who needed high interest material at a lower reading level or with students learning English. While girls might find this graphic novel interesting, there is no significant female character in any of the stories.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this cover - love the dogs, especially the border collie. The best story is Sheba, who is seen in a troubled Vietnam veteran's flashbacks. Great back matter showing extent of research that went into the preparation of the book. Wish the further reading section had fiction recommendations like Kadahota's Cracker: Best Dog in Vietnam. Semper fido!

[Dario Arganese · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the way the author guided me into a realm of war including hospitality. I also love the fact that these three war dogs were not supposed to be close to the veteran, but in the end they were best friends. I highly recommend this book for anyone in the eighth grade and up!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three fictional stories about soldiers and dogs in World War I, World War II, and Vietnam. Fast-paced, action oriented historical fiction that will appeal to fans of dog stories and history buffs.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a graphic novel, so the pictures carry much of the narrative. There are three separate stories of dogs who served heroically in three different wars. Since it’s written for children (and my eight year old grandson recommended it), I was glad to see no dogs died in this book. But war in all its coarseness and violence is vividly displayed; the pictures are brutal and the conversation between soldiers is aggressive and harsh. I’m not sure how old children should be when they are introduced to the horrors of war and the toll it takes the soldiers who put their lives on the line every day. (I think eight might be too young.)

[Diana Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

5 stars for the subject matter 🐕, but 3 stars for the execution. This graphic novel style isn't my preferred style and with so many action images (depictions of war), it was somewhat hard to follow. My favorite story was the one about Sheba / Vietnam War, perhaps because the action was told more through flashbacks with narrative and therefore easier to follow.

We have this classified in the J graphic novels, I may recommend to move it up to the teen section.

[Wyatt J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dogs of War was a great book! It showed how dogs were very important in battle. I liked how the author put in three dogs in three different wars to show the job of each breed of dog and their connection to there owner. I would recommend this book to people who like war stories and dogs.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellently told stories about three dogs from three wars. Touching.

[Joe Cee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book about how dogs can help in the military.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stunning presentation of 3 heartbreaking stories.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the stories about the dogs.

[Rayyan Khan]

It was great story. It tell about war dogs like how they help Soldiers.

[Hannah Fadel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this graphic novel (Technically it is a collection of three graphic short stories, but whatever...). The art work is very good and the stories are compelling, particularly the WWI story. All three stories incorporate a lot of accurate historical details that were fascinating.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

My opinion of the book Dogs of War is that the book has nice pictures and good stories of the dogs that were in war. I would recommend this book to someone who likes to read graphic novels and likes dogs. My favorite passage from the book is when the character and his dog Loki are about to get spotted by the enemy and they have to sneak through the window and run away.

[16nathana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A non-fiction book is a book that contains true information on the world or may talk about different parts of history. Non-fiction books can also just state facts, like National Geographics books, which talk about random facts. Another example is a book called Chew On This which is a book about how bad fast food is and how you can live and eat better. Dogs Of War by Nathan Fox is a non-fiction book about 3 different dogs (Boots, Loki, and Sheba) in 3 different war including WW1, WW2, and the Vietnam war. Each war has a different kind of dog and tells its qown unique story. The chapters in this book go by story so in this book, there are 3 chapters. Also, below each chapter heading, there is a map showing were they are because you might need it to understand the book. Lastly, in the book, there is a table of contents, which tells the page each dogs adventure starts.

I think this book was a well organized and planned out book, really trying and succeeding in engaging the reader, because I know I never wanted to put down Dogs of War the minute I started it. I though it was a very informational but fun book to read. I thought this book was a very interesting book to read because i love learning about different wars and I love graphic novels and comics so a non-fiction comic about war dogs was very appealing to me. I think the author knows a lot on these wars but I think some parts of the book were a little exaggerated and a little unrealistic. I think Nathan Fox takes side with America and that America and its allies are the "good guys" and Germany, Vietnam, etc., are the "bad guys". I know someone could argue that America is the bad guy and Germany is the good guy. I think people can take away a lot from this book like information on WW1, WW2, and the Vietnam war, what dogs are capable of doing during war, and the bond connecting dogs and human beings. I think the actual stories were amazing and told well but I think a lot of the info may have been based off an alike story, but definitely a bunch of parts were a little exaggerated. I can see why a lot of people may think non-fiction is boring and i think a lot of it is to, but just because in fantasy anything can happen, just think about the amazing true non-fiction stories that did happen! I have to rate this book 4.5 stars because i thought it was an amazing book, but some parts i thought were a little far fetched. I think anyone who likes comics with action or someone who likes learning about wars should read this book.

[Raina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The professional review:
Military history, a variety of international settings, and animal adventure combine to tell three stories of working dogs during three different wars in the 20th century. We meet Boots - a mercy dog in World War I, Loki – a sled dog at an intelligence station in Greenland during World War II, and Sheba – a scout dog during the Vietnam War. Each story explores a different aspect of wartime, as well as (to varying degrees) some of the controversial issues of each war. The relationships between the dogs and the humans who work with them are affecting, and while the illustrations look overly busy at first glance, the textures and colors work well to tell each story in turn. Readers looking for animal-based stories, history lessons, and military settings will eat this book up. This will be a great addition to library graphic novel collections for young readers.

When I get candid:
I avoid dog stories as a rule. As a dog lover, I hate the omnipresent moment where something bad happens to the dog. I also tend to avoid military stories in my personal reading, for a variety of complicated reasons. But I got this book as a must-read-and-review during a stint getting five books at a time in the mail to review for a professional source (this was also the time period when I read The Empty City). So I didn't have a choice.
And, although I didn't like the bad parts, and had low expectations based on the my lack of having heard of the authors in the GN world and my first glance reaction at the illustrations, I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it was really smart that they chose distinctly different roles for each of the dogs, that the relationships between the soldiers and the dogs were different, and that the story flowed so well.
If this wasn't already getting some attention (http://sheilakeenan.com/high-fives-to... and I'm pretty sure I've heard a few more not in that list), I'd probably booktalk it (probably to middle schoolers, aiming low, but it would work to handsell to upper elementary too). Instead, I'll give myself a high-five for making it through both a dog book and a war book. :)

---
Edit to add: I did end up booktalking this in January 2017, and it was hot hot hot. :)

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy through NetGalley. "Dogs of War" shares three stories of canines and their masters during times of war. The dogs highlighted are: Boots, a World War I medical dog; Loki, a sled dog used during World War II; and Sheba, a scout dog utilized during the Vietnam war. The stories different time periods and dogs help keep the story varied while still having that single link between them being a focus on dogs of war.

The book starts out with what is probably the strongest of the bunch in Boots. Set in the trenches of WWI, Boots and his master Marcellinus are responsible for venturing out and locating injured soldiers. The story focuses a lot on the soldiers interactions with each other with Boots' story being more of the footnote that holds them together, but this doesn't detract from the dog theme. The story packs a "Band of Brothers" type punch as well with some great emotional content. The second story following Loki has the feel of a Jack London adventure story. Loki is a misfit among the other sled dogs and must work to prove himself. The third and final story integrates its war stories through flashbacks about Sheba's exploits in Vietnam with her handler, who after the war is having trouble coping and returning to society.

The collection as a whole is very solid. The pacing and variety of the stories is fantastic and the art supports the story very well. People looking for stories that focus solely on the dogs may be disappointed in some instances where the canines take a backseat to their human counterparts, but overall, the book is very enjoyable. Also of note is the further reading and author's note section that go into the true, historical aspects of the story.

[Denis A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three short stories about war dogs in WWI, WWII, and Vietnam. I enjoyed the last story about Sheba, a german shepherd war dog, that saw combat in Vietnam. The story is told thru the eyes of Vietnam Vet, Lanford, who befriends a little teenage boy learning to care for his own little puppy. The little boy, Henry strikes up a conversation with the vet, and Lanford tells about his war dog, Sheba. They both form a close bond as Lanford shows Henry how to train his dog, offering this bit of advice:
"Three things to remember. Be clear, be patient, and no doggy treats. A dog gets used to a little something for doing something, and he'll do nothing when you got nothing."

Henry quickly realizes that Lanford suffers a great deal from the mental scars the war left behind. Henry knows little about Vietnam and is eager to ask Lanford all kinds of questions, but because of Lanford's short temper, Henry decides to just listen to the vet tell his war stories. Lanford explains that soldiers followed orders no matter how ambivalent they were about them.

Lanford: "Next day you'd get up and start walking all over again."

Henry: "Where were you going"

Lanford "Forward. That's all we usually knew. As Hado said, we were just bunch of U's: The Unwilling, Led by the Unqualified, Doing the Unnecessary For the Ungrateful."

Recommend this to reader interested in dogs and war history. The story is told in detailed color and black and white illustrations that go well with the storytelling.

[Matthew Purnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly phenomenal, it is both heartbreaking and empowering at the same time. The artwork through three chapters by Nathan Fox (with the ample assistance of two colorists) makes the images of dogs, men, and war practically leap off the page. The reality of mud embedded within the trenches of WWI, the infinite amount of snow throughout Greenland during WWII, and the immense saturation caused by the jungles of Vietnam has never truly appeared as vividly as it does in this comic book/graphic novel. The three stories written by Sheila Keenan, plus the brief author's/artist's introduction along with the very short afterword/further reading section, make this book a compelling piece of art that everyone, not matter how old they are, should read. "Dogs of War" bring the truth & horror of modern ground fighting into the light... there are n punches pulled here, the fear you see & experience in the eyes of these characters will be felt inside your own mind before you reach the last page. I'd like to give this book my highest recommendation, and I would gladly endorse it to any teacher wanting to expose their students to the history of war in the 20th century.

[Phillip Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of three "war dogs" from WWI, WWII, and Vietnam. If not for the last story, this is just a 3 star for me. The Vietnam story was a perfect way to end because it focused on the pain and brutality of war and how a dog can act as both a brother in arms and a therapeutic companion. The author and illustrator did an amazing job of adding layered meaning to this book.

The first two stories: 3 stars.
The last story (Vietnam): 5 stars.

[Farel Dalrymple · Rating 5 out of 5]

war stories in general, not so much, but i am a real sucker for a good dog story, and i've been a fan of Nathan Fox's work for years. so i figured i would enjoy this comic. but it exceeded my high expectations. i was moved to tears by all three stories in this impressive comic book about friendship, humanity and true bravery. Sheila Keenan and nathan are a great creative team.

[Newport Librarians · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphics are not my forte, as I repeatedly mention, but I feel bad scoring them since I have such a difficult time. I really liked the premise, but the first story had very difficult illustrations for me to follow. The other two were better. I think any teen that has an interest in dogs or war will love this.