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Anna & Natalie
Anna is never picked to be on any team at school. But she is determined to be chosen when Mrs. Randall announces a letter-writing contest to decide which four students will be part of the wreath- laying team at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia. This moving story of how Anna deals with her disability will touch the hearts of all readers as they cheer her on to the surprise ending.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
27 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 4, 2025
This sweet book lures you in with its softly painted illustrations and playful language. At first, I found myself a little annoyed at the protagonist with the way she spoke to her sister, only to realize that her comments were directed at her seeing eye dog, and the tone completely shifted to one of loving nudging, rather than sibling teasing. I love how the book really focuses on Anna and what she can do and doesn't reveal her disability until the very end. I also appreciate the intention of the book as it shares back matter about the contribution of dogs to the war efforts, an often-ignored group. What a lovely book to share with students and families alike!
December 25, 2019
Kind of a cool setup; the author makes you think you're reading one thing, but at the end of the story you realize it's really about something different! A rather touching story, and an educational one at that, about paying tribute to a special group of forces in the military.
November 20, 2008
Genre: Fiction Reading level: Ages 6-9
Our nation is currently at war. Many families have loved ones away or lost to battle. One monument stands for all, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Only four students in Mrs. Randall’s third grade class will have an opportunity to be a part of the ceremony. Will Anna be chosen? Or will she be passed over like she has been so many times in the past. The author, also a teacher, hints in her dedication that Anna and Natalie may be real “people”. The artist’s subtle watercolor drawings tease us with a shadow of something barely noticeable about Anna and her sister walking home. There is a dog at the table and on the porch, but we don’t realize until the end that Natalie is a guide dog and that Anna is visually impaired. A definite tearjerker and a beautiful tribute to the blind and their helper dogs. A source note at the end of the story gives us more information about brave canine soldiers.
Other stories about service pets:
Letter from Wolfie, Patti Sherlock
My buddy, Audrey Osofsky (picture book for older children, ages 8-12)
Winners walk, Nancy Ruth Patterson
Our nation is currently at war. Many families have loved ones away or lost to battle. One monument stands for all, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Only four students in Mrs. Randall’s third grade class will have an opportunity to be a part of the ceremony. Will Anna be chosen? Or will she be passed over like she has been so many times in the past. The author, also a teacher, hints in her dedication that Anna and Natalie may be real “people”. The artist’s subtle watercolor drawings tease us with a shadow of something barely noticeable about Anna and her sister walking home. There is a dog at the table and on the porch, but we don’t realize until the end that Natalie is a guide dog and that Anna is visually impaired. A definite tearjerker and a beautiful tribute to the blind and their helper dogs. A source note at the end of the story gives us more information about brave canine soldiers.
Other stories about service pets:
Letter from Wolfie, Patti Sherlock
My buddy, Audrey Osofsky (picture book for older children, ages 8-12)
Winners walk, Nancy Ruth Patterson
June 19, 2014
(2007)
School Library Journal
K-Gr 2-When her teacher announces a letter-writing contest to decide which four students will be chosen to help lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, in Arlington National Cemetery, Anna is determined to win. The third grader has never before been picked for anything-not the softball or the basketball team, yet she daydreams about being given this opportunity. On the day of the announcement, the letter "From Natalie (with help from Anna)" is chosen. It asks for Anna to accompany her. It isn't until the conclusion of the book that readers actually realize that Anna is blind and Natalie is her seeing-eye dog. A page about "Dogs in War" and information about the National War Dog Memorial Fund to honor the service of dogs in wartime is appended. Pen and ink and watercolor artwork dramatically fills the spreads. While it will take careful reading to follow the clues, the story will gain an even greater appreciation the second time.
School Library Journal
K-Gr 2-When her teacher announces a letter-writing contest to decide which four students will be chosen to help lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, in Arlington National Cemetery, Anna is determined to win. The third grader has never before been picked for anything-not the softball or the basketball team, yet she daydreams about being given this opportunity. On the day of the announcement, the letter "From Natalie (with help from Anna)" is chosen. It asks for Anna to accompany her. It isn't until the conclusion of the book that readers actually realize that Anna is blind and Natalie is her seeing-eye dog. A page about "Dogs in War" and information about the National War Dog Memorial Fund to honor the service of dogs in wartime is appended. Pen and ink and watercolor artwork dramatically fills the spreads. While it will take careful reading to follow the clues, the story will gain an even greater appreciation the second time.
August 30, 2009
This is a wonderful tale, with a surprise ending, that will grab at your heartstrings. I read this one aloud to our girls and burst into tears. They find it amusing when Mama cries when she reads them books; I'm glad it doesn't happen often. The illustrations are nice, softly muted colors that go along well with the story.
Want to Read
June 20, 2009Ages 4-8
December 10, 2009
"*spoiler alert* blind, seeing-eye dog, wounded soldier monument, Anna wants to be chosen, but usually isn't.
August 6, 2014
Inspiring & Uplifting!
May 10, 2014
Lovely and so moving. Made me cry.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews