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Adventures of Wishbone #2
Salty Dog
When he accompanies Joe and his friends to look for treasure in the condemmed Trumbull barn, Wishbone imagines himself as young Jim Hawkins who acquires a treasure map and soon finds himself involved with dangerous pirates
140 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
About the author
Brad Strickland
131 books111 followersWilliam Bradley Strickland (b. 1947) is the author (or co-author) of over 60 novels and over 60 pieces of short fiction and poetry.
Born in New Hollard, Strickland earned his Ph.D. in American literature from the University of Georgia. He has taught English courses at the University of Georgia, Oglethorpe University, Truett-McConnell College, and, since 1987, at Gainesville State College.
His first novel was 1986's To Stand Beneath the Sun, followed quickly by the books in the Jeremy Moon trilogy.
Strickland has shared co-author credit on many of his books: with his wife, Barbara, on stories in the Star Trek and Are You Afraid of the Dark? properties; and with the late author Thomas Fuller, books in the Wishbone series, involving the popular Jack Russell Terrier from the Public Television series of the same name. Strickland and Fuller also collaborated on numerous original works, including the Pirate Hunter series, the Mars: Year One series, and the comedic mystery for adults, The Ghost Finds a Body.
After the death of John Bellairs, Strickland was approached by John’s son, Frank, to complete the two books his father had already started; these unfinished manuscripts became The Ghost in the Mirror and The Vengeance of the Witch-Finder. Strickland also wrote two books based on brief plot outlines left by Bellairs: The Drum, the Doll and the Zombie and The Doom of the Haunted Opera. Beginning in 1996, Strickland has kept Bellairs' legacy alive by writing the further adventures of Johnny Dixon and Lewis Barnavelt. Books in the corpus include The Hand of the Necromancer (1996); The Tower at the End of the World (2001); The House Where Nobody Lived (2006); and his most recent title, The Sign of the Sinister Sorcerer (2008).
In 2001, Strickland won received the Georgia Author of the Year Award, Children's/Young Adult Division, for When Mack Came Back, set in WWII-era Georgia. Strickland says the story "is based on the farm owned by [his] grandfather, where [I] often visited when [I] was a child." Kong: King of Skull Island was released in 2005, an illustrated tale by Strickland, author John Michlig, and fantasy artist Joe DeVito that serves as both a prequel and sequel to the epic story of the legendary ape.
Strickland is an active member of the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company, where he writes and performs in numerous audio drama projects. He was awarded the ARTC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. He is married to the former Barabara Justus and has two grown children.
Born in New Hollard, Strickland earned his Ph.D. in American literature from the University of Georgia. He has taught English courses at the University of Georgia, Oglethorpe University, Truett-McConnell College, and, since 1987, at Gainesville State College.
His first novel was 1986's To Stand Beneath the Sun, followed quickly by the books in the Jeremy Moon trilogy.
Strickland has shared co-author credit on many of his books: with his wife, Barbara, on stories in the Star Trek and Are You Afraid of the Dark? properties; and with the late author Thomas Fuller, books in the Wishbone series, involving the popular Jack Russell Terrier from the Public Television series of the same name. Strickland and Fuller also collaborated on numerous original works, including the Pirate Hunter series, the Mars: Year One series, and the comedic mystery for adults, The Ghost Finds a Body.
After the death of John Bellairs, Strickland was approached by John’s son, Frank, to complete the two books his father had already started; these unfinished manuscripts became The Ghost in the Mirror and The Vengeance of the Witch-Finder. Strickland also wrote two books based on brief plot outlines left by Bellairs: The Drum, the Doll and the Zombie and The Doom of the Haunted Opera. Beginning in 1996, Strickland has kept Bellairs' legacy alive by writing the further adventures of Johnny Dixon and Lewis Barnavelt. Books in the corpus include The Hand of the Necromancer (1996); The Tower at the End of the World (2001); The House Where Nobody Lived (2006); and his most recent title, The Sign of the Sinister Sorcerer (2008).
In 2001, Strickland won received the Georgia Author of the Year Award, Children's/Young Adult Division, for When Mack Came Back, set in WWII-era Georgia. Strickland says the story "is based on the farm owned by [his] grandfather, where [I] often visited when [I] was a child." Kong: King of Skull Island was released in 2005, an illustrated tale by Strickland, author John Michlig, and fantasy artist Joe DeVito that serves as both a prequel and sequel to the epic story of the legendary ape.
Strickland is an active member of the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company, where he writes and performs in numerous audio drama projects. He was awarded the ARTC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. He is married to the former Barabara Justus and has two grown children.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 20, 2017
This was the first Wishbone book I read, and it definitely brings back memories...and stands the test of time.
EDIT: Like many kids of my generation, I was a fan of that literature-loving Jack Russell terrier. I had a Wishbone board game, as well a few books...including this one. In fact, this was the first one I had, but I actually ended up with two copies; I bought it by itself via book order, only for the first four volumes to later become available from the same place at a serious discount...so, being the savvy shopper that I am, I bought the set. Later on, I ended up being glad I had more than one copy; in sixth grade, I brought one to school...only for some classmate to write his name in it and claim it was his. I just let it go, which I now realize was the Christian thing to do...though I wasn't one yet. That same school year, I also did my first book report on this novel; so, it brings back memories more than most other books, even other ones I read and enjoyed as a kid.
So, how does it stack up now? Well, even at the age of thirty-two, I still enjoyed it; then again, I've always been a sucker for a good story...and this book has two! If you're a fan of these books--or even the original PBS Kids show--you know what to expect...and that's what you get here. I'm glad that this one was still available from my local library; since Wishbone aired its last episode over two decades ago, books based on the show have largely become an endangered species. If you enjoy this series, you should check your local 'berry for these books before they disappear completely.
EDIT: Like many kids of my generation, I was a fan of that literature-loving Jack Russell terrier. I had a Wishbone board game, as well a few books...including this one. In fact, this was the first one I had, but I actually ended up with two copies; I bought it by itself via book order, only for the first four volumes to later become available from the same place at a serious discount...so, being the savvy shopper that I am, I bought the set. Later on, I ended up being glad I had more than one copy; in sixth grade, I brought one to school...only for some classmate to write his name in it and claim it was his. I just let it go, which I now realize was the Christian thing to do...though I wasn't one yet. That same school year, I also did my first book report on this novel; so, it brings back memories more than most other books, even other ones I read and enjoyed as a kid.
So, how does it stack up now? Well, even at the age of thirty-two, I still enjoyed it; then again, I've always been a sucker for a good story...and this book has two! If you're a fan of these books--or even the original PBS Kids show--you know what to expect...and that's what you get here. I'm glad that this one was still available from my local library; since Wishbone aired its last episode over two decades ago, books based on the show have largely become an endangered species. If you enjoy this series, you should check your local 'berry for these books before they disappear completely.
September 29, 2025
This book had a lot of twists and turns in it and I know the original story does too, but it seemed like it was never going to be resolved.
December 16, 2022
I have a soft spot for Wishbone, and the kids really enjoyed the story too! Who doesn’t love Wishbone? I appreciate that Wishbone books help them engage with reading and classic literature. They make it fun and funny for them, and I think it encourages them to imagine themselves in the book as well, just like Wishbone. I’d recommend it to anyone who likes the occasional light and quick read, especially if you have kids!
July 15, 2008
Another great Wishbone book. My son even likes the 'About Robert Louis Stevenson' and the 'About Treasure Island' sections of the book. He is looking forward to the rest of the series.
April 5, 2022
"What's the story Wishbone?"
I'm a 31 year old woman who just relived her childhood. I really miss the show so I'm happy to read the books.
I'm a 31 year old woman who just relived her childhood. I really miss the show so I'm happy to read the books.
April 29, 2021
I know it’s about pirates.. but does it have to talk so much about alcohol? It was too much for me.
November 21, 2023
Treasure Island has always been a personal favorite classic of mine and Wishbone's take on it really did it justice
March 11, 2019
I feel like I time traveled back to childhood and watch one of my favorite tv shows lol. Too cute of a book.
July 10, 2018
- I love that these books have more content than the TV show, and I love that the stories are true to the original books. They do a good job abridging the story for a younger audience.
- Wishbone as Jim Hawkins was awesome! I love imagining a cute little dog as the characters. The pictures of Wishbone in the different scenes are really fun too.
- Gnome and I both enjoyed this one a lot. I liked reading out loud with a pirate accent. It was fun.
- This made me want to read Treasure Island!
- Wishbone as Jim Hawkins was awesome! I love imagining a cute little dog as the characters. The pictures of Wishbone in the different scenes are really fun too.
- Gnome and I both enjoyed this one a lot. I liked reading out loud with a pirate accent. It was fun.
- This made me want to read Treasure Island!
December 27, 2017
For more reviews, check out my blog Craft-Cycle
Good read. This is the first Wishbone book I have read, but I enjoyed the TV series as a kid.
The dual plot system works well in the book, jumping between the Treasure Island story and the barn story. Both are full of adventure.
There is a decent bit of violence (as would be expected from a retelling of Treasure Island). Nothing too gorey or overly detail, but it is a regular occurrence for people to be shot and killed. There are also a decent amount of references to drinking rum and getting drunk. Again, to be expected, but it's good for parents to know going into it.
A good book full of adventure.
Good read. This is the first Wishbone book I have read, but I enjoyed the TV series as a kid.
The dual plot system works well in the book, jumping between the Treasure Island story and the barn story. Both are full of adventure.
There is a decent bit of violence (as would be expected from a retelling of Treasure Island). Nothing too gorey or overly detail, but it is a regular occurrence for people to be shot and killed. There are also a decent amount of references to drinking rum and getting drunk. Again, to be expected, but it's good for parents to know going into it.
A good book full of adventure.
February 17, 2011
Joe and his friends find a treasure map. They are going to try and find the place with the treasure. This reminds Wishbone of pirates. He imagines himself on a pirate ship. There are famous pirates with him like Long John Silver. They're trying to find the treasure of a dead pirate. They have to fight off other pirates before they get to the treasure.
The treasure map leads Joe and his friends to an abandoned barn. There wasn't much in it. Suddenly the barn catches on fire and Wishbone is the only one who can save them.
There are many pirates that want the treasure for themselves. Some try to kill Long John Silver and take control. Silver killed all of them that tried to kill him. Wishbone had lost a lot of his ship mates, they finally reached the Island. They found the treasure in the cove.
Wishbone came back with help to save Joe and his friends. The barn burnt down and they never found treasure. A few days later they found a horse shoe in the ash and it was probably worth a lot.
"Wishbone Salty Dog" was a pretty good book. It had a lot of action and adventure. However I did find it odd that the pirates talked to him like he was a real person. The book didn't have very many events involved in Wishbone's real life. The book also had some suspense like when the barn caught on fire. The actual book didn't seem like it focus on younger kids. It had a lot of violence in it. This was definitely on of the more exciting books of the series.
The treasure map leads Joe and his friends to an abandoned barn. There wasn't much in it. Suddenly the barn catches on fire and Wishbone is the only one who can save them.
There are many pirates that want the treasure for themselves. Some try to kill Long John Silver and take control. Silver killed all of them that tried to kill him. Wishbone had lost a lot of his ship mates, they finally reached the Island. They found the treasure in the cove.
Wishbone came back with help to save Joe and his friends. The barn burnt down and they never found treasure. A few days later they found a horse shoe in the ash and it was probably worth a lot.
"Wishbone Salty Dog" was a pretty good book. It had a lot of action and adventure. However I did find it odd that the pirates talked to him like he was a real person. The book didn't have very many events involved in Wishbone's real life. The book also had some suspense like when the barn caught on fire. The actual book didn't seem like it focus on younger kids. It had a lot of violence in it. This was definitely on of the more exciting books of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2017
book review
June 6, 2014
My son loves these wishbone books at bedtime, but unlike other authors that make him excited, these books put him to sleep after a few pages. (Not the most positive review, but it works for me!) They are a fun way to re-read the classics and I enjoy wishbone's sarcastic dog-humor.
Read
January 22, 2009JMAR4-Wis
December 4, 2013
This book was an easy read. Any student who loves animals or has a hard time with reading, this book would be a good choice for them.
Read
December 28, 2013AR Quiz No. 20289 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 4.9 - AR Pts: 4.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, VP
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 4.9 - AR Pts: 4.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, VP
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews