The Lost War Dog

by Megan Rix

The brave, difficult and ultimately hopeful journey across wartime Germany of two best friends and the dog who brought them together.

Tilly and Gretchen have been best friends all their lives, and Gretchen adores Tilly's beloved pet dachshund Wuffly like he's her own.

But tensions are high in Germany in 1938. Tilly's Jewish family are in danger - and Gretchen's father is a train driver in the employ of the s. Before long, Tilly is sent to England as part of the Kindertransport rescue mission. Heartbroken, she has to leave Wuffly and Gretchen behind.

So begins an epic adventure as Gretchen makes the decision to follow her best friend and reunite her with her beloved dog - but when they touch down in England, Wuffly is immediately taken away.

How will each of them fare, as German evacuees in England? And will the three friends ever be reunited in safety...?

Genres: Fiction, Horses, Animals

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 20, 2020

Reviews

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a middle-grade children’s book, this one packs a punch.
Gretchen and Tilly are best friends, and have been since meeting in first grade. Tilly is Jewish, while Gretchen’s family is Gentile. This fact was never a problem until now, in 1938. Hamburg, Germany has become a place of intense persecution for Jews; every day the list prohibiting them from privileges and activities grows longer. These two young girls maintain their friendship in spite of the rules preventing Jews and Aryans from associating, sharing the care for Tilly’s beloved dog Wuffly…until it is no longer safe for either of them…
If this book had been around when I was in middle-school, I would have re-read it over and over again! The author does a wonderful job of writing about life in Germany for Jews during Hitler’s dictatorship, without including the graphic details about WW2 that could be very disturbing for younger readers. Scenes centering around “The Night of Broken Glass”, actions and activities that involved Hitler Youth, and boycotts of Jewish businesses are guaranteed to grab the interest of any reader. The author’s notes at the end were very well-presented, and fascinating.
One part particularly stood out to me, not often found in historical fiction about WW2. Gretchen’s family is portrayed as being entirely pro-Nazi; her older brother is in Hitler Youth, there are pictures of Hitler hung in their home , and her father is assigned in his job as a railroad worker to transport Jews to labor camps. In an unusual twist, Gretchen’s father begins to have a change of heart; he can’t “unsee” what is happening to the people he is transporting. Nor can he ignore what he notices about the actions and attitudes of the people running the concentration camps…
*The information about the “Stolpersteins” brought back a memory for me. Recently my husband and I visited Amsterdam, and saw many, many of these little stones. Our tour guide explained that they are placed in front of the last place where the victims lived in freedom. Before they were murdered by the Nazis; “murdered” is the exact word used on each Stolperstein. These plaques of remembrance are scattered all throughout Europe; I had not heard of them until I visited there.*
This wonderful book should be in every classroom, everywhere.

[Lennie-Jay Petchey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, heartwarming story.
I did, however, notice a lot of typing errors in the copy I have. But it was definitely worth the read

[Carolyn Scarcella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I’m reading today is called “The Lost War Dog” by Megan Rix. What a keen eye for a brilliant story. I thoroughly enjoyed this. I must say this story has got myself attached to the main characters, deaf people, especially Wuffly (the dog). This aims for young to adult readers, who wanted to learn the basics and understand the facts about the second world two. This story is all about Kindertransport and Deaftransport during the 1938, a few weeks later after the broken glass (kristallnacht). This author wrote this book is the real people, including deaf and dogs, but, the characters were fictional in the book. The story is about young girls grew up in Hamburg, Germany. They have been best friends since kindergarten, Tilly a Jew, and Gretchen a Genitle. Tilly was forced to leave Germany for England as part of the Kindertransport and she was heartbroken for leaving Gretchen and Wuffly (dachshund) behind. Did Gretchen make the decision to follow her best friend and reunite with her? Or did she follow Wuffly on a journey to reunite with their friend Tilly? As a result, what happened to the other people in the story? You can decide.

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing book! I loved the story and you can definitely see the research that has gone into making it. Just 1 question though, was it just my copy that had a few grammar errors or did other people have this problem?

[Sarah Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a children’s book, I thoroughly enjoyed this. Very emotive and I found myself attached to main characters, especially Wuffly (the dog)! I must admit, I did find myself choked up at one stage. I wonderful story. However, I have read other reviews and can agree that there are quite a few errors within the book that should have been picked up before publishing.

[Beth Maisie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Danielle Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story. Eye opening.

[Kallina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it😍

[Jessica Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned so much about Germany and the war and ots just amazing just so many feelings

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet but sad book , about the horrible times of war between Jews and Hitler Germany the love of a girl tilly and dachshund wuffly

[Kay Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book very sad in place my grandchildren loved it

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know it's for teenagers. But this is a brilliant book to read at any age.

[Melek · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so amazing with a side of history and of adventures you will get stuck into it.
It's great for someone who likes history, adventures or even both.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was surprisingly harsh on the realities of being Jewish in Nazi Germany.

Wuffly was a cute and intelligent hero of the story and provided a bit of light relief.

[Hazel Ní Dhubhagáin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for teaching about the Second World War.

[Freya · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing... It kind of made me cry 😢

[Hannah Spooner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for children to start talking about events in the Second World War.