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Dog Tucker
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 7, 2021
All Devlin wants is to go home. Along with his younger siblings, he has been in foster care while his mum copes withDog Tucker Book Review Cover a new baby. What really hurts is that his four brothers and sisters have been allowed to go home, but his “behaviour” problems are too much for his mum to cope with right now. Even that’s unfair, thinks Devlin, as he only acts up because of the way his mum’s boyfriends treat him.
Now, after running away from his latest foster home to avoid the trauma of more school bullying and his shame at being so far behind, he is placed with a distant relative on a farm.
Devlin’s trust is to be earned though, and “Uncle” George might be kind but firm, but Devlin still plans to run. His attempts soon fail, and he is back on the farm with patient, understanding, George.
George is a horse trainer and he and his good friend Allan take Devlin to Alexandra Park – a harness racing venue. They have been sharing their love of the sport with Devlin, and when he overhears a non-performing horse is to be “dog tucker”, he takes George up on an offer of a pet.
Devlin and his new horse Zak have a common bond of feeling unwanted and unloved, forging a bond as they spend time together. Zak gives Devlin a reason to rise early as George requests, and time on his dreaded home schoolwork, as part of the deal.
Focus on Zak, his training and discovery that he’s not dumb at schoolwork, as he’s always believed; gives Devlin a new goal to work towards regarding his own family. He misses his mum and his siblings, and wants them all together again. This isn’t as easy as he thinks and some devastating news nearly derails him. George and his friends are close by, and Devlin keeps going along with the help of Zak. Now Devlin has another goal – racing his own horse.
Although Dog Tucker has a straightforward linear plot, there is a lot happening. Despite loving foster parents, Devlin is angry, hurting, embarrassed, sad and lost, feeling like he doesn’t belong anywhere. This has the chance to change when he goes to live with a man who has lost his own family. This man isn’t the stereotypical damaged, angry man of many stories, but one with patience, a no nonsense tone when required, kindness and understanding.
As expected, Devlin doesn’t trust this stranger and this distrust runs deep within him, surging up again when even only slightly stirred. Emotions run deep within both Uncle George and Devlin, making this a moving story of loss, trust, respect and dreams for the future. My feelings rose and fell with Devlin as he loves his siblings, then faces terrible loss.
Harness racing lore is throughout the tale, teaching me a little about the sport, alongside dodgy dealings when so much money is involved. There is a touch of caution regarding gambling, and a satisfying and believable ending. Originally published 2010, it’s fantastic that this novel has been rereleased for a whole new group of readers 11+.
Now, after running away from his latest foster home to avoid the trauma of more school bullying and his shame at being so far behind, he is placed with a distant relative on a farm.
Devlin’s trust is to be earned though, and “Uncle” George might be kind but firm, but Devlin still plans to run. His attempts soon fail, and he is back on the farm with patient, understanding, George.
George is a horse trainer and he and his good friend Allan take Devlin to Alexandra Park – a harness racing venue. They have been sharing their love of the sport with Devlin, and when he overhears a non-performing horse is to be “dog tucker”, he takes George up on an offer of a pet.
Devlin and his new horse Zak have a common bond of feeling unwanted and unloved, forging a bond as they spend time together. Zak gives Devlin a reason to rise early as George requests, and time on his dreaded home schoolwork, as part of the deal.
Focus on Zak, his training and discovery that he’s not dumb at schoolwork, as he’s always believed; gives Devlin a new goal to work towards regarding his own family. He misses his mum and his siblings, and wants them all together again. This isn’t as easy as he thinks and some devastating news nearly derails him. George and his friends are close by, and Devlin keeps going along with the help of Zak. Now Devlin has another goal – racing his own horse.
Although Dog Tucker has a straightforward linear plot, there is a lot happening. Despite loving foster parents, Devlin is angry, hurting, embarrassed, sad and lost, feeling like he doesn’t belong anywhere. This has the chance to change when he goes to live with a man who has lost his own family. This man isn’t the stereotypical damaged, angry man of many stories, but one with patience, a no nonsense tone when required, kindness and understanding.
As expected, Devlin doesn’t trust this stranger and this distrust runs deep within him, surging up again when even only slightly stirred. Emotions run deep within both Uncle George and Devlin, making this a moving story of loss, trust, respect and dreams for the future. My feelings rose and fell with Devlin as he loves his siblings, then faces terrible loss.
Harness racing lore is throughout the tale, teaching me a little about the sport, alongside dodgy dealings when so much money is involved. There is a touch of caution regarding gambling, and a satisfying and believable ending. Originally published 2010, it’s fantastic that this novel has been rereleased for a whole new group of readers 11+.
May 20, 2018
The pages within this book contain a story filled with emotion , decisions and harsh realities that nobody should have to deal with , but many must . If you looking for a story with enough raw emotion to be eye-opening , but simple enough to teach somebody of any age that we shouldn’t take the things we have for granted, you have succeeded .
Living in New Zealand (where this story is based) it scares me to think that the serious/deep themes in this book is actually the honest truth. But knowing that there are people in this world, like Aroha, George, Saraia, Allan, Rose and all the other kind hearted people in this makes me generally believe that kindness still overrules sadness in this world .
The reason I only have this novel 3 stars is so don’t think the book gave enough detail into the sad points in the story , like the death of Devlin’s mother. If it gave it a bit more detail into how Devlin recovered from the trauma of his mother’s death , I believe it would have made it a better book .
Living in New Zealand (where this story is based) it scares me to think that the serious/deep themes in this book is actually the honest truth. But knowing that there are people in this world, like Aroha, George, Saraia, Allan, Rose and all the other kind hearted people in this makes me generally believe that kindness still overrules sadness in this world .
The reason I only have this novel 3 stars is so don’t think the book gave enough detail into the sad points in the story , like the death of Devlin’s mother. If it gave it a bit more detail into how Devlin recovered from the trauma of his mother’s death , I believe it would have made it a better book .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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August 10, 2022What is this book about? (write 1-2 sentences)
A boy that is called Devlin fostered and he runs away and then get s found and gets taken to his great uncle. He hated the farm and won't to leave. Then they go to the races and he heard someone say " If this horse doesn't go any good it would be dog tucker. So they buy the horse and he loves it. Then his mum dies and he got sad. Then his dad tracks him down and asks if he wants to go to back to Austrailia where his dad had been living. Devlin doesn't take the offer and stays on the farm.
What is your favourite part of the story and why? (write 1-2 sentences)
When he find out that his sibling could live on the farm with him, because he has been missing them and then he can see them more.
Who is your favourite character and why? (write 1-2 sentences)
Devlin because he is the main character and is invoded the most.
What is a lesson or a fact that you learned from this book? (write 1-2 sentences)
To spend time with the people you love while they are around.
Give your review out of 5 stars
4 stars.
A boy that is called Devlin fostered and he runs away and then get s found and gets taken to his great uncle. He hated the farm and won't to leave. Then they go to the races and he heard someone say " If this horse doesn't go any good it would be dog tucker. So they buy the horse and he loves it. Then his mum dies and he got sad. Then his dad tracks him down and asks if he wants to go to back to Austrailia where his dad had been living. Devlin doesn't take the offer and stays on the farm.
What is your favourite part of the story and why? (write 1-2 sentences)
When he find out that his sibling could live on the farm with him, because he has been missing them and then he can see them more.
Who is your favourite character and why? (write 1-2 sentences)
Devlin because he is the main character and is invoded the most.
What is a lesson or a fact that you learned from this book? (write 1-2 sentences)
To spend time with the people you love while they are around.
Give your review out of 5 stars
4 stars.
May 15, 2014
A great book, capturing, informing and thrilling. A great book to read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews