Strudel's Forever Home

by Martha Freeman

Middle-grade readers will get a dog's eye view as an irrepressible dachshund narrates this touching story of a dog who needed a family, and a struggling family who needed a dog.

Strudel, a homeless dachshund, loves listening to Jake read from Chief, Dog of the Old West at the animal shelter. When Jake decides to adopt him, Strudel vows to be as brave and loyal as Chief. Only trying to fend off danger in his new home leads to trouble when Strudel makes mistakes such as shredding a "rattlesnake" that is actually a garden hose. But despite Strudel's humorous miscalculations, his instincts are mostly correct. He knows who is really a member of his pack, and that Mom's boyfriend Arnie can't be trusted.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Animals

Paperback

First published April 1, 2016

About the author

Martha Freeman was born in Southern California in 1956. It is not actually true that pterodactyls ruled the skies then, but her three children believe this.

Martha graduated from Glenoaks Elementary, Woodrow Wilson Junior High, and Glendale High School. Until Martha came along, Glendale High's most famous graduate was a fellow named Marion Michael Morrison. He later went into the film game and changed his name to John Wayne, which you might very well do, too, if you were a boy named Marion in unenlightened times. In 1978, Martha graduated from Stanford University with a degree in history. She remains Stanford's most illustrious graduate if not its most wealthy.
Stink Bomb Mom

Martha's First Book.

Martha worked as a newspaper reporter, copy editor, substitute teacher, college lecturer, advertising copywriter, and freelance magazine writer before she found her true calling as a writer of children's books in 1994. Her first book was "Stink Bomb Mom," now, tragically, out of print. She has since published 14 more books for children and as you read this, she is probably working on another one. Besides writing and visiting schools to talk to students, Martha teaches occasional classes at Penn State University, volunteers as an emergency medical technician, and works for a wonderful little company called Wall Street Communications. She is a very busy person.

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a fun read!

I loved how the author mixed in specific Philadelphia neighborhood details like the mummers and pier 67 and didn't shy away from tough family and social issues that lots of kids today face. The Chief stories and animal/animal interactions were a delight as well.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because I LOVED Martha Freeman's last book The Orphan and the Mouse, not because I am a big dog lover. And -- drumroll -- Ms. Freeman does not disappoint! Narrated by Strudel himself, who starts the story after a terrible episode of amnesia, this book explores the relationship between Strudel and his boy Jake. Jake at first comes to read to Strudel at the shelter and they share a love of a series of cowboy stories called Chief, Dog of the Old West. Chief's story is told throughout the book and inspires some of the action. Like The Orphan and the Mouse, this book deals with some difficult issues - bullying, poverty and single parenthood, but there is an ending where the bad guys are vanquished and the good guys get a break. And it is a great dog story (with another dog story inside)! Recommend this to dog lovers and anyone who loves good old fashioned storytelling, grades 3 - 5th.

[Ingrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strudel is a homeless dachshund who is adopted by Jake and his family and the story is told by Strudel. Jake has some difficulties and loves having Strudel to share those with. I liked that part of the book, but there was another part where Strudel has difficulties with a gang of homeless cats that seemed weird to me and really didn't add anything to the story.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful.

[Cristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strudel is the name given to a homeless little dachshund. He is adopted by a little boy named Jake. Jake goes to the shelter once a week and reads with Strudel and then decides he wants him for his own. Strudel loves it and is ready for his new home. The only set back is that occasionally he has visions of loud noise and he panics and runs away. His instincts are usually correct and he does not consider Jake’s moms boyfriend, Arnie as one of the pack. The story is narrated by Strudel and his adventures and adjustment to a new family and surroundings. I would recommend this for any collection. It is a heartfelt story about a dog who finds new meaning in life and a fresh start. The characters are well developed and the story flows from the beginning to the end.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a terrible book, but kind of forgettable. The cover art is sweet, but it did nothing to help me remember the story. (In fact, I kind of forgot I finished it -- thank goodness for GoodReads!)

Strudel is a bit of a sentient dog, and yes, he is a dachshund. After one confusing night, his comfortable world is upended and he finds himself locked in a kennel at the local animal shelter. He wonders what on earth happened to his home and his owner, but a kind boy soon adopts him and Strudel joins a new (more haphazard) household.

It's a cute story. Kids will like it. Personally, it was a little vanilla, and I could see the end coming from a mile away.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal book. The story of a "hotdog" told from his own point of view. I would recommend this to younger kids and older. Some reviews are hesitant because of the mention of alcohol and cigars, and the background of domestic violence. To me, those are pure adult concerns. The dog and the boy adore each other, and they restore each others lives. There is so much violence that is commonplace in the world of children these days - television, video games, and movies. This book has a purely good message, and is the story of misfits finding each other.

[Sunny Branson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strudel’s Forever Home by Martha Freeman is delightful. Highly recommend for animal lovers. It was full of lessons in animal respect, but subtle so it didn't feel like an animal-rights sermon. Page after page delighted me, and at the surprise twist at the end, I let out an audible squeal. I did not see that coming! It was a pleasure to read something light and happy. I’m buying this book for all the 10-13 year olds in my life!

[Melissa Weedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book because my granddaughter bought it for me for Christmas. We had a dog named Strudel who lived to be 19. This book is so sweet and I love it because of the book itself but also because of the thought when given to me.

[Shannon]

My book was good, but it was just a little confusing. sometimes i didn't whether it was the cat or dog speaking, but overall it was a pretty good book.

[Terri Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interestingly told from the viewpoint of a dog. I’ll for sure share this one with young readers!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

To absolutely no one's surprise, Strudel is a delightfully sweet treat.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow, this book was boring.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a dachshund mom, I just had to read this. My niece gifted it to me, realizing it's a middle grade book but she just couldn't resist since she knows how I love dachshunds. You'll laugh and cry along with Strudel as he figures out his new home. The ending is super special too! A very sweet book about my most favorite dog breed, win-win!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

After spending time reading aloud to Strudel, a dachshund at the local shelter, Jake decides to adopt him and give him a forever home. But Jake hasn't really made any plans for Strudel's new move, and doesn't even have dog food for his new pet. Strudel draws inspiration from the adventure story, Chief, Dog of the Old West, that Jake loves to read, and he is determined to live up to the fictional dog's heroics. However, he makes some mistakes as he tries to fit into his new family. In the end, though, it's a good thing that Strudel is around since Jake is being bullied by some neighborhood boys intent on making money in illegal ways and destroying property. Plus, the dog knows a whole lot more about Jake's sister, Mutanski, than Jake does, and he seems able to sense that Mom's boyfriend, Arnie, is not to be trusted. Readers will find Jake's dilemmas quite realistic, and having a dog's eye view of what's going on provides for some very funny perspectives on life and the family's mistakes and dramas. I had to smile at the idea of the little dachshund being able to intimidate a much-bigger dog. There are so many great dogs waiting in shelters for someone to love them. I'm glad this one had a happy ending. The only aspect of the book that seemed a bit odd to me was when the author reveals what happened to Strudel's original owner and how Strudel ended up at the shelter. I enjoyed the little insider's views of Philadelphia provided in the narrative as well. This book provides plenty of amusement as well as encouraging readers to think about the consequences of their actions and how to deal with others who are trying to take advantage of them.

[Merrilyn Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strudel the Dachshund wakes up in the animal shelter in the section for small to medium sized dogs. He doesn't know how or why he got there, but Maisie, the dog in the cage next to him, helps him calm down and advises him take one step at a time. When the boy who comes to read aloud to him everyday adopts Strudel, he is overjoyed! He goes to live with Jake and learns that both he (Strudel), Jake, and his family all have so much to learn about each other. The first lesson is: the dog needs to be fed and given water. In his new home, Strudel outsmarts a tough gang of alley cats, makes friends with a neighborhood pigeon and rat, shows a pit bull who is boss, and comes to dearly love his new family. When his former owner shows up, Strudel wants to stay with Jake, which is fine with the owner because, in Strudel's absence, he has adopted Maisie from the shelter. This is an endearing story with many small dramatic moments that resolve in the end through the efforts and thoughtfulness of the characters, both human and animal. Strudel narrates the story and all of the animals in the book speak. I think that kids will love it; I know that I did!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

How can a dachshund lover resist this cover? It hooked me and the story was just as delightful. Our story starts with our sweet dog--exhausted, confused and abandoned. He was running for his life and now finds himself at an animal shelter suffering fear and flashbacks. He recovers with the help of another dog and a young boy who uses the dog as a means to include his reading aloud skills.

The next step is for the shelter to name our sweet boy, Strudel and for his reading partner, Jake to take Strudel home. They share a love of an Old West Series loved by Jake's grandfather and trying to survive middle school and their neighborhood.

A little scary at the start with Strudel's trauma from the "calamity" by the end he's proven that small dogs have huge hearts and reservoirs of courage.

[Serina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Similar to "Baileys Story" and I wasn't impressed by that one either. Adopted by a boy who doesn't know how to care for him, the dog tries to adapt. The dog is cute with a stream of conscience style of narrative. Yet with the book being full ones who are ignorant and abusive and flat out bullies, the dog is overshadowed by all the negatives. Kept waiting for the turn around, but finally gave up waiting for that. Others may like story but just didn't appeal to me. DNF at page 66 A much better simple dog book is "Hero" by Jennifer Shotz.

[Shelley Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7 year old son and I read this book together and loved it! Strudel is a brave hero in a little dog's body. The story is uniquely told from his perspective as he overcomes getting lost, cat gangs, making friends, and being brave. His boy runs into trouble, but together they help each other. The writing is good and the characters are believable. Highly recommend Strudel's Forever Home!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining story of MY favorite pup! I love that Martha slipped in tidbits about history (from the origins of the Mummer's Parade to the story of Achilles) without sounding didactic. Now I'm seeing things from my pups' perspective when we are out and about, and it's fun! And you gotta love that Johanna and NOT Anthony! (inside joke)

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having the story told from the perspective of Strudel and the format of Strudel's internal monologue was initially off putting, but young readers will enjoy this change in narrator.


Book won through a Goodreads give away.

[Danielle Masterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable. Wonderful for young dog owners, particularly dachshund owners.

[Jill CD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute- animal loving kids will like it.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful book with action and friendship and bullies and love.

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Check my review here: https://darlingilovebooks.blogspot.co...