Sweetie

Dog Diaries #6

by Kate Klimo, Tim Jessell (Illustrations)

George Washington’s transformation from farmer to Father of Our Country—as told by his dog Sweetlips!
 
Sweetie was the finest foxhound in George Washington’s kennel. But Sweetie’s idyllic days at Mount Vernon were cut short when her master was chosen to represent Virginia at the first Continental Congress in Philadelphia—which he attended with Sweetlips by his side. Follow their journey from the hunt country of Virginia to the battlefields of the Revolutionary War in this meticulously researched, unique historical novel. With realistic black-and-white illustrations by Tim Jessell, an appendix including information about George Washington and the history and breeding of American foxhounds, plus links to the primary source material on which the book is based, this is the kind of historical fiction that dog-loving middle graders—and educators—sit up and beg for!

Genres: Dogs, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Animal Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction

160 pages, Library Binding

First published January 6, 2015

About the author

Kate Klimo spent her early years amidst the cornfields of Iowa where the winters were prodigious. Often, when the snows flash-thawed in the spring, she would find her backyard filled with the flapping, resurrected bodies of fish her ice-fishing father had stored in the snowdrifts. Thus sprang into her young head the unshakable notion that, all winter long, fish escaped from the rivers and magically swum through the snow banks of Mount Vernon, Iowa.

When she moved to the little town of Sea Cliff, on Long Island Sound, she met her best friend Justine in the Stenson Memorial Library at the main desk, where they often checked out the same fantasy writers. Together, they read C.S. Lewis, E. Nesbit, Edward Eager, and George MacDonald and embarked on a tireless search for portals to magical worlds, extending from abandoned Victorian mansions to the decrepit local five-and-dime to the sandy cliffs sweeping down to the Sound.

With her propensity for magical thinking and long-standing love of fantasy, does it come as any surprise that Kate grew up to be in the book business? But after over 25 years of heading up Random House Children’s Books, with the publication of The Dragon in the Sock Drawer in March 2008, Kate began to ease over to the author’s side of the desk.

Now a full-time author, in addition to numerous one-off titles, she has written the middle-grade series The Dragon Keepers series and the Dog Diaries as well the Centauriad for young adults. Under the pen name Bonnie Worth, she has penned over a dozen books in the best-selling Cat in the Hat Learning Library. She lives in New Paltz, New York with her husband and two horses.

Reviews

[Alana Robinson]

That's so sad that Sweetie died before the George Washington became the President.

[Ellen]

Of all the Dog Diaries, I think I enjoyed this one the least so far, but it was still a decent addition to the set. In Sweetie, we see George Washington through the eyes of one of his foxhounds. There is a sense of Washington as the man, not just the general or President.

[Jessica Higgins]

Once a dog named Sweetlips was born with a litter of pups. The colonel came one day and liked Sweetlips the best. Then came the anointment and the colonel liked Sweetie even more. Then one day Sweetlips (Sweetie) was in the kennel with the others when a lady came and said that the colonel wanted Sweetie to play outside and to see the world. He played and stole a doll from the lady and had a tea party. And then she went through hunting lessons and got to go hunt with the colonel every time after that. Then they went to war and didn’t come home for like 7 years; then Sweetie went back home and a couple days later the colonel came back and a couple of days later Sweetie died.

I loved this book and would recommend it to people.

[Dana Garling]

What a cute story, written from the point of view of one of George Washington's foxhounds. This was a recommendation from one of my students when I started covering the Revolutionary War this year. I was impressed with how much of what my students learn about was mentioned in this book. From colonial terms to revolutionary battles, this is a great read for kids interested in animals and the history of our country.

[Tanya]

This dog diary was more of a summary of George Washington's rise to military and political fame than it was about the dog. It wasn't what we had come to expect from this series and my 4 and 6 year old weren't as into it. The only good dog stories came from the author's summarization of her sources at the end.

[Sam]

This is one of my favorite kid's books that I have read lately. I almost always read what my daughter brings home from the library, and this book caught my attention right away! I'm a huge fan of George Washington and to see his life through the eyes of his dog was a great story! My daughter really loved it, too! We both highly recommend it!

[DEBORRAH J SCOTT]

THE HISTORY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON 'S DOG NAMED SWEET LIPS

It was a good book, but it was like reading a history book. I'm not one that likes reading history books. I think it would be great for a child that needed to do a book report on George Washington, and his dog.

[Diane]

The fight for American Independence as seen through the eyes of one of George Washington's foxhounds.

[Stasia]

"The world is fast changing. Nothing is as it was. I fear for what is to come".

[Julia Hall]

My younger brothers love listening to this series. So sweet.

[Jtimko]

Sweetie was George Washington’s foxhound who accompanied him everywhere before, during, and after the American Revolution. Chosen from the litter at birth, Sweetie was trained by Washington and accompanied him everywhere. Told from Sweetie’s point of view, we witness the beginning of a new nation, the crossing of the Delaware, and the post-war life of George Washington up till his retirement from the military.
This book in the Dog Diaries series focuses on Sweetie, the foxhound raised by George Washington, as he accompanies the General throughout the American Revolution. Simple narrative gives the reader a feel for what life was like with this famous person. This volume contains an abundant amount of historical information to aid the reader in understanding the storyline. Historical notes describe how the English Foxhound became the American Foxhound with the help of Washington and their similarities and differences. Lovely black and white illustrations are scattered throughout. There is plenty of white space so as not to intimidate the reader. This would be a suitable addition to the elementary level library. Recommended. Grades 2 through 5.

[Sonya]

Klimo gave a unique view of George Washington from a dog's point of view. The book grabbed my boy's attention by being about a dog, some of the battles were stretched to include the dog...but the boys stayed interested.

Creative way to present history. Saw a different view of a common historical figure---if he treated his dogs better than others, than he was a good man.

[Jessica]

See the first book in the series for a full review.

[Pat]

Fascinating how this dog teaches us about George Washington's life when he led the Revolutionary troops.

[Hillvan]

720L

[Francine]

Awesome

Great book. Sad about dog dying though. Read it please. It is five stars and great. I loved this book.

[Gracie]

Nice little story about George Washington's dog- as told by the dog herself!

[Sherie Hess]

This is my favorite book so far. I was excited it took place during the American Revolution and George Washington was a main character in it. I like how it told history from a dogs view.

[Mary]

A cute, quick little read... I enjoyed the history included in this book. Great for second/third graders. I may be inclined to read others in this series!

[Tom brady]

Sweetie was the finest foxhound in George Washington’s kennel. But Sweetie’s idyllic days at Mount Vernon were cut short when her master was chosen to represent Virginia at the first Continental Congress in Philadelphia—which he attended with Sweetlips by his side.

the best book ever!!!!!!!!!