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Starlight Animal Rescue #2
Mad Dog
A new series by Dandi Daley Mackall, author of the best-selling Winnie the Horse Gentler series!
If the world had any idea how mad I, Wesley “Mad Dog” Williams, am at it, the sun would be too scared to show its ugly face around here.
Meet 14-year-old Wes Williams, aka Mad Dog. He's from Chicago and looking to return―just as soon as his mother gets out of rehab. In the meantime, he's stuck at Starlight Animal Rescue, where his only friend is his dog, Rex. As Wes schemes to get his old life back, will Rex and the other shelter dogs be able to rescue him . . . before his anger makes him go too far?
Starlight Animal Rescue: Where problem horses are trained and loved, where abandoned dogs become heroes, where stray cats become loyal companions. And where people with nowhere to fit in find a place to belong.
If the world had any idea how mad I, Wesley “Mad Dog” Williams, am at it, the sun would be too scared to show its ugly face around here.
Meet 14-year-old Wes Williams, aka Mad Dog. He's from Chicago and looking to return―just as soon as his mother gets out of rehab. In the meantime, he's stuck at Starlight Animal Rescue, where his only friend is his dog, Rex. As Wes schemes to get his old life back, will Rex and the other shelter dogs be able to rescue him . . . before his anger makes him go too far?
Starlight Animal Rescue: Where problem horses are trained and loved, where abandoned dogs become heroes, where stray cats become loyal companions. And where people with nowhere to fit in find a place to belong.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2008
21 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Dandi Daley Mackall
352 books300 followersA professional writer for over 20 years, Dandi Daley Mackall has written dozens of articles for popular magazines and published around 500 books for children and adults alike, with sales of over 4 million.
A frequent guest on radio and television talk shows, she lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, horses, dogs, & cats. Awards include the Edgar Award for Best YA Mystery, the Helen Keating Ott Award for Contributions to Children's Literature; Distinguished Alumni Award from Mizzou; ALA Best Book; Christian Children's Book of the Year, Amelia Bloom, Mom's Choice Awards. Her YA novel, My Boyfriends' Dogs, is now a Hallmark movie.
A frequent guest on radio and television talk shows, she lives in rural Ohio with her husband, three children, horses, dogs, & cats. Awards include the Edgar Award for Best YA Mystery, the Helen Keating Ott Award for Contributions to Children's Literature; Distinguished Alumni Award from Mizzou; ALA Best Book; Christian Children's Book of the Year, Amelia Bloom, Mom's Choice Awards. Her YA novel, My Boyfriends' Dogs, is now a Hallmark movie.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 7, 2021
Wes is determined to get back to Chicgo, after his mother gets out of rehab. The only thing that keeps Wes' anger in check is his dog, Rex.
There is so much i loved about this 2nd book. Ilike that Wes goes to the animal shelter and picks out some dogs to take back to the rescue to try to find homes for them. I also enjoyed the fact that Wes and Dakota go to the elderly home with he dogs.
This is a sad story with Dakota's horse, Blackfoot. He has an injury on his foot. I liked seeing Wes helping Dakota out.
This sad part of the book was when Wes wasn't able to see his mom. It was heartbreaking that she forgot about his visit. However, he does got to see her at the end of the book, so that was a gook ending.
Eager to read book 3!
There is so much i loved about this 2nd book. Ilike that Wes goes to the animal shelter and picks out some dogs to take back to the rescue to try to find homes for them. I also enjoyed the fact that Wes and Dakota go to the elderly home with he dogs.
This is a sad story with Dakota's horse, Blackfoot. He has an injury on his foot. I liked seeing Wes helping Dakota out.
This sad part of the book was when Wes wasn't able to see his mom. It was heartbreaking that she forgot about his visit. However, he does got to see her at the end of the book, so that was a gook ending.
Eager to read book 3!
May 27, 2020
I didn't realise this was a book for religious kids. As a story about a troubled teenager helping with animals, it would have been good, had it been left at that...
But I think it could lead kids to believe that having a pet is very easy as throughout the book there is no mention about anyone feeding the dogs or giving them water to drink. It only mentions walking a few times... and apparently only when you feel like it... Also it's quite beyond me how a 14-year-old who's never had a dog in his life until his mum gets to rehab for 90 days, can become a dog expert... in under 90 days. Quite an expert, too, given he never feeds the dogs or gives them water...
But I think it could lead kids to believe that having a pet is very easy as throughout the book there is no mention about anyone feeding the dogs or giving them water to drink. It only mentions walking a few times... and apparently only when you feel like it... Also it's quite beyond me how a 14-year-old who's never had a dog in his life until his mum gets to rehab for 90 days, can become a dog expert... in under 90 days. Quite an expert, too, given he never feeds the dogs or gives them water...
November 21, 2025
This spinoff series is definitely no where near as good as the Winnie the Horse Gentler was for 12 year old me 😂 but I’ll finish it just because
May 14, 2013
Mad Dog is another great book from Dandi Daley Mackall, author of the Winnie the Horse Gentler series. Mad Dog is book two in the Starlight Animal Rescue series, preceded by Runaway. It’s also my favorite book in the series. After re-reading it recently for this review, I found myself cracking up over the assisted living residents. Since my family does a lot of elder care, I could relate to the situation…though I’ve yet to meet someone quite like the Buddy in this book. Definitely a great book to get your hands on.
January 14, 2014
good enough to keep me interested, but just ok. Admittedly, I would've probably liked it more when i was about 11, which i think is closer to the age this is aimed at. Characters pretty 2 dimensional (even the main character), animal info pretty beginner range or wish-fulfillment (esp regarding the manor visits), and a pretty predictable plot. (i also didn't enjoy the God aspect, but the store's sticker was covering where it said Christian fiction, so I can't really blame the book for that.) But it was a nice, gentle, quick story when i wasn't feeling very good, so it gets points for that:P
June 23, 2020
Another lovely book for younger kids (and adults if you love a sweet story or grew up reading these!) I have it four stars for the same reason I gave Runaway four stars.
August 8, 2021
I love it very much and I think anyone who loves dogs or just any animals should read this book and the rest of the books in the series.
August 22, 2021
Eh. I liked Dakota's POV more, but it was still pretty good. Also I want a dog.
May 13, 2022
I loved hearing about all the dogs and how mad dog finally in the end calmed down
December 23, 2013
Wes Williams has only one thing on his mind—going back home to his mom as soon as she is done with rehab. After all, she promised they would be back together, that she was getting her life back together. For now, Wes is in foster care and his foster family runs Starlight Animal Rescue. He seems to have a knack with dogs after he nursed a stray dubbed Rex. Rex also has a knack for knowing when Wes is getting mad—even before Wes himself knows sometimes.
Someone else has noticed Wes's knack with dogs and asked him to adopt a couple shelter dogs and train them for use in a nursing home. Things get complicated when Wes tries to visit his mom but isn't allowed to see her; and when the nursing home activities coordinator is not fond of dogs.
This was another great installment by Mackall. Just like the first, Runaway, I had a hard time putting this book down. Animal lovers will enjoy this series. This is a Christian series, though I did not find it overly preachy, the Christian message is definitely there.
Someone else has noticed Wes's knack with dogs and asked him to adopt a couple shelter dogs and train them for use in a nursing home. Things get complicated when Wes tries to visit his mom but isn't allowed to see her; and when the nursing home activities coordinator is not fond of dogs.
This was another great installment by Mackall. Just like the first, Runaway, I had a hard time putting this book down. Animal lovers will enjoy this series. This is a Christian series, though I did not find it overly preachy, the Christian message is definitely there.
December 23, 2014
Éste libro, WOW no me esperé mucho de el pero en realidad me sorprendió muchísimo, a pesar de ser un libro infantil, te enseña cosas muy hermosas, el mensaje es lo valioso de este libro maravilloso.
Aunque es el 2do libro si no estoy mal, de una saga, no te cuenta nada de la historia anterior, lo cual es bueno, porque no tengo el primero así que me alegró por ese lado.
RECOMIENDO ESTE LIBRO DE AHORA Y PARA SIEMRE
Aunque es el 2do libro si no estoy mal, de una saga, no te cuenta nada de la historia anterior, lo cual es bueno, porque no tengo el primero así que me alegró por ese lado.
RECOMIENDO ESTE LIBRO DE AHORA Y PARA SIEMRE
February 26, 2014
This book was not as good as the first, in my opinion, which is kind of disappointing because dogs are my favorite animals. However, it still was a good book and well written. I liked the characters and do not remember anything bad about the book, except the fact that Wes's mother is in rehab (I don't remember what for...) but I don't think it mentioned much. It has been a while since I read it, but it was a good book and I would let my little siblings read it.
September 20, 2012
Great book. a story that reflects on God's great love, the heart and kindness of animals, and how forgiveness will erase bitterness, remember bitterness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person gets sick.
December 28, 2010
This book is great for young adult readers.
Great morals interesting story and its just totally worth the read.
this book was not as good as book one in this series but still worth it.
Great morals interesting story and its just totally worth the read.
this book was not as good as book one in this series but still worth it.
March 6, 2013
This is a great book, just like the rest of the Starlight Animal Rescue series. I didn't enjoy it as much as the other books, but it is definately one that I would recommend!!!
July 3, 2013
Another quick and good read. Not all happy tails, but that's life. Yet, there is love, there is hope, and there are people who will look after you ... even when you don't see them.
September 10, 2016
Just as good as runaway!
August 29, 2014
I am just in love with this book!!
November 2, 2015
I didn't finish the book I just stopped and switched to Heaven Is For Real! It is such a good book!
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February 29, 2016amazing
Read
September 21, 2010i loved this book.
March 19, 2011
very adventures!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 13, 2012
Not as good as Runaway but still a great book.
December 23, 2013
amazing book!
May 1, 2018
It is so very very sad. I nearly cried at the part where she forgot about him visiting. It is a very good book still.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews