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D-39: A Robodog's Journey
Klynt's days on her Papa's farm are all the same, even during wartime. Until the robodog, that is. A dystopic but heartwarming novel-in-verse perfect for fans of Pax by Sara Pennypacker.
In a future United States, civil war is devastating a country on its last legs. On one the Patriots. On the President Vex's corrupt government. In the everybody else, just trying to survive. The war is going from bad to worse, but out in the sparsely populated Worselands, twelve-year-old Klynt Tovis doesn't see much of it.
Instead, Klynt spends most of her long summer days bored, or restoring artifacts in her Museum of Fond Memories. Real pet dogs are a thing of the after they were found to be carriers of a sickness the government ordered them all killed. But one day an incredible antique shows up at the a D-39 robodog, "Real as a dog can be!" Klynt is overjoyed, but the good luck doesn't last. When the war makes its way into the empty Worselands, she and D-39 find themselves thrown into an epic journey for survival and hope.
Through the twists and turns of this riveting read, Irene Latham deftly shows how kindness can appear in unexpected places during uncertain times.
In a future United States, civil war is devastating a country on its last legs. On one the Patriots. On the President Vex's corrupt government. In the everybody else, just trying to survive. The war is going from bad to worse, but out in the sparsely populated Worselands, twelve-year-old Klynt Tovis doesn't see much of it.
Instead, Klynt spends most of her long summer days bored, or restoring artifacts in her Museum of Fond Memories. Real pet dogs are a thing of the after they were found to be carriers of a sickness the government ordered them all killed. But one day an incredible antique shows up at the a D-39 robodog, "Real as a dog can be!" Klynt is overjoyed, but the good luck doesn't last. When the war makes its way into the empty Worselands, she and D-39 find themselves thrown into an epic journey for survival and hope.
Through the twists and turns of this riveting read, Irene Latham deftly shows how kindness can appear in unexpected places during uncertain times.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2021
3 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Irene Latham
34 books143 followersIrene Latham is a poet and novelist who was born the middle child and first daughter of five kids.
Irene has lived all sorts of places and traveled worldwide. Since 1984 she has called Birmingham, Alabama, home.
She thinks growing up with three brothers was great preparation for raising her three sons. She also thinks getting a sister was one of the best things that has ever happened to her.
Irene is proud to be the only leftie in her family of origin AND in her current family.
According to Irene's Dr. Seuss' MY BOOK ABOUT ME, she has wanted to be writer since she was eight years old.
She also wanted to train a horse that her sister would ride to victory in the Kentucky Derby. That hasn't happened. Yet.
Irene didn't take a single writing course in college.
Irene has lived all sorts of places and traveled worldwide. Since 1984 she has called Birmingham, Alabama, home.
She thinks growing up with three brothers was great preparation for raising her three sons. She also thinks getting a sister was one of the best things that has ever happened to her.
Irene is proud to be the only leftie in her family of origin AND in her current family.
According to Irene's Dr. Seuss' MY BOOK ABOUT ME, she has wanted to be writer since she was eight years old.
She also wanted to train a horse that her sister would ride to victory in the Kentucky Derby. That hasn't happened. Yet.
Irene didn't take a single writing course in college.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
February 21, 2021
Well I was here based partly on the publisher's renown, and the fact this was billed as a novel in verse. It's nothing like. The quirk it has instead is that it is in large font, with large separations between each paragraph, and the last word or words of each tiny chapter form the heading of the next.
The next thing to do is, of course, give a summary. We have Klynt, aka 'sugar girl' as her dad calls her, living with a void where her mother used to be on a farm in the middle of nowhere. These are the Worselands (har har), and this is a time of rioting, violence, civil war almost, and copious hardships. Oh, and a virus that was threatening to jump species means all the dogs of the land have been put down, so when a robot dog of the D-39 class turns up, it's ideal for tech-head, STEM-ready Klynt.
Ready Klynt is to yack at us in the vernacular of the day, which doesn't make me quirkface (smile), but there you go. I guess this is what they mean by verse, in that we get this poetic technique of kenning new terms for, well, almost everything – noises of warfare, warfare itself, bodily functions... There's certainly a place for this in a book for this audience, but it is dumped on us so readily from the off that it will only confuse, and the reader told that knocking these 450pp off in a couple of hours would give a great sense of achievement could well get turned against the whole idea quite smartish.
"Tish tosh!" I said when presented with the alleged big twist, that I certainly saw coming. The whole premise of the place where the grass is allegedly greener, that Klynt and D-39 end up heading towards, isn't the most logical in the world of young literature, either. So what we end up with is a bit of a mish-mash, even if an entertaining mish-mash. It reads for a teen audience, yet has a cartoonish cover and a font size perfect for the young reader (or us much older ones with dicky vision). It takes quite childish things and gives them much more serious, mature import – and that is to be welcomed if it still ends up accessible. I'm not sure that this was, and I left it not disappointed I'd spent my time with it, but certain there was too much of a muddle as to whom it could be most successfully pitched. Three and a half stars.
The next thing to do is, of course, give a summary. We have Klynt, aka 'sugar girl' as her dad calls her, living with a void where her mother used to be on a farm in the middle of nowhere. These are the Worselands (har har), and this is a time of rioting, violence, civil war almost, and copious hardships. Oh, and a virus that was threatening to jump species means all the dogs of the land have been put down, so when a robot dog of the D-39 class turns up, it's ideal for tech-head, STEM-ready Klynt.
Ready Klynt is to yack at us in the vernacular of the day, which doesn't make me quirkface (smile), but there you go. I guess this is what they mean by verse, in that we get this poetic technique of kenning new terms for, well, almost everything – noises of warfare, warfare itself, bodily functions... There's certainly a place for this in a book for this audience, but it is dumped on us so readily from the off that it will only confuse, and the reader told that knocking these 450pp off in a couple of hours would give a great sense of achievement could well get turned against the whole idea quite smartish.
"Tish tosh!" I said when presented with the alleged big twist, that I certainly saw coming. The whole premise of the place where the grass is allegedly greener, that Klynt and D-39 end up heading towards, isn't the most logical in the world of young literature, either. So what we end up with is a bit of a mish-mash, even if an entertaining mish-mash. It reads for a teen audience, yet has a cartoonish cover and a font size perfect for the young reader (or us much older ones with dicky vision). It takes quite childish things and gives them much more serious, mature import – and that is to be welcomed if it still ends up accessible. I'm not sure that this was, and I left it not disappointed I'd spent my time with it, but certain there was too much of a muddle as to whom it could be most successfully pitched. Three and a half stars.
April 18, 2023
This book is so youthful, while remaining a sad story that your heart aches while you read it, with enough happiness seen through child’s eyes to keep going. The story felt very thought out and unique like a fantasy book simply because of vocabulary (which I’ll make a list below of my favorite words and quotes in this book), but it is set in our world of our own. The characters are written very relatable, and it’s as if you are speaking with the character through her rough memories while also just being from her POV. I enjoyed this book a lot, and I definitely recommend it for those who like old timey stories, dystopian, dogs, and heart ache.
Notes:
This book is written differently than others, as each page is it’s own ‘chapter’ following up to two pages, but most consist of 1-2 paragraphs, with the name of the chapter being the last word or sentence of the prior ‘chapter’. it was weird at first as I’d never seen anything like it, and it was almost confusing as it was new, but after awhile it was really nice and it let my mind settle on less words as I turned the pages. I wouldn’t say it was good or bad, just something different I’d like to note.
*Update: I just read the authors notes and it is written in poems and the author describe it the same way I did, but as poems that don’t rhyme. I’m simply dumb and I am not well versed on poems.
The listing states 200+ something pages, and my hardback copy is 446 pages. I love updating my book each night with page number, but they are so inaccurate I had to do math to figure out my proper percentage. I notice this often in books, but this was the furthest off. I imagine that’s how many pages it would be if there was no dead space between ‘chapters’. Just another thing to note :)
Vocabulary I really love:
blusterblow = wind / cold-dust = snow / deathstretch = war / dripface = cry / flipfurious = angry / flutterbugged = nervous / freshwash = rain / glimmerspark = shine / go jayballs = upset or excited / humdrummed = bored / hum-nothing = isolated or lonely / humpbacks = mountains / humpgrump = grumpy / jayballs = ridiculous / jinglesnap = short moment / joyslammed = happy / leafgiant = tree / lipbrush = kiss / needlebender = an artist who knits, crochets, or weaves / poopflush = toilet / puddleglum = sad / quirk = smile / quirkface = to smile / ramscramble = rush / snickergiggle = laugh / sparkshine = clean / startlespooked = scared / upcuddle = hug / waterworld = ocean / zapjawed = surprised, shocked
Quotes I love:
* no spoilers (I would say), but if you want to go into it with nothing then don’t continue. the two actually slightly spoiling quotes are at the very bottom far away so you don’t accidentally see it!
• “when he looks up at me, his eyes say that in all the world, I’m his favorite. Me. A girl who’s nobody’s favorite.”
• “my favorite thing is when he bumps his head against my leg, letting me know he’s with me.”
• “a government without the consent of its people cannot stand. it will get worse before it gets better, sugar girl.”
• “nothing lasts forever, does it? to everything there is a season.”
• “it’s so complicated, and part of me doesn’t even want to try.”
• “D-39 is so much more than entertainment. he’s my friend.”
• “D-39’s only a robo, but I love him. I really do. but I don’t say it out loud. that kind of information feels far too tender for sharing.”
• “the only thing we can give each other now are words.”
• “the intuition or instinct that wild animals seem to trust without question. but we humans choose whether to pay attention or not.”
• “sing what? I say. He giggled. Anything.”
• “like he knows that what’s tumbling out of my mouth may be shaped like words, it what I’m actually selling is hope.”
• “he looks at me like I really know what I’m doing, like I really am a leader or a hero.”
• “it’s like my emotions are constantly struggling with one another, and I am never sure which one will win out.”
• “how lucky to be a dog, to live in the moment without human worries.”
slightly spoiler quotes:
• “all this time I thought everything in the wilds was free. Of course it’s not. Is anything ever all the way free?”
• “what if being a hero isn’t about staying or going, or even fighting or rescuing. what if being a hero is about listening? to yourself?”
Notes:
This book is written differently than others, as each page is it’s own ‘chapter’ following up to two pages, but most consist of 1-2 paragraphs, with the name of the chapter being the last word or sentence of the prior ‘chapter’. it was weird at first as I’d never seen anything like it, and it was almost confusing as it was new, but after awhile it was really nice and it let my mind settle on less words as I turned the pages. I wouldn’t say it was good or bad, just something different I’d like to note.
*Update: I just read the authors notes and it is written in poems and the author describe it the same way I did, but as poems that don’t rhyme. I’m simply dumb and I am not well versed on poems.
The listing states 200+ something pages, and my hardback copy is 446 pages. I love updating my book each night with page number, but they are so inaccurate I had to do math to figure out my proper percentage. I notice this often in books, but this was the furthest off. I imagine that’s how many pages it would be if there was no dead space between ‘chapters’. Just another thing to note :)
Vocabulary I really love:
blusterblow = wind / cold-dust = snow / deathstretch = war / dripface = cry / flipfurious = angry / flutterbugged = nervous / freshwash = rain / glimmerspark = shine / go jayballs = upset or excited / humdrummed = bored / hum-nothing = isolated or lonely / humpbacks = mountains / humpgrump = grumpy / jayballs = ridiculous / jinglesnap = short moment / joyslammed = happy / leafgiant = tree / lipbrush = kiss / needlebender = an artist who knits, crochets, or weaves / poopflush = toilet / puddleglum = sad / quirk = smile / quirkface = to smile / ramscramble = rush / snickergiggle = laugh / sparkshine = clean / startlespooked = scared / upcuddle = hug / waterworld = ocean / zapjawed = surprised, shocked
Quotes I love:
* no spoilers (I would say), but if you want to go into it with nothing then don’t continue. the two actually slightly spoiling quotes are at the very bottom far away so you don’t accidentally see it!
• “when he looks up at me, his eyes say that in all the world, I’m his favorite. Me. A girl who’s nobody’s favorite.”
• “my favorite thing is when he bumps his head against my leg, letting me know he’s with me.”
• “a government without the consent of its people cannot stand. it will get worse before it gets better, sugar girl.”
• “nothing lasts forever, does it? to everything there is a season.”
• “it’s so complicated, and part of me doesn’t even want to try.”
• “D-39 is so much more than entertainment. he’s my friend.”
• “D-39’s only a robo, but I love him. I really do. but I don’t say it out loud. that kind of information feels far too tender for sharing.”
• “the only thing we can give each other now are words.”
• “the intuition or instinct that wild animals seem to trust without question. but we humans choose whether to pay attention or not.”
• “sing what? I say. He giggled. Anything.”
• “like he knows that what’s tumbling out of my mouth may be shaped like words, it what I’m actually selling is hope.”
• “he looks at me like I really know what I’m doing, like I really am a leader or a hero.”
• “it’s like my emotions are constantly struggling with one another, and I am never sure which one will win out.”
• “how lucky to be a dog, to live in the moment without human worries.”
slightly spoiler quotes:
• “all this time I thought everything in the wilds was free. Of course it’s not. Is anything ever all the way free?”
• “what if being a hero isn’t about staying or going, or even fighting or rescuing. what if being a hero is about listening? to yourself?”
May 20, 2021
I would like to thank Charlesbridge Publishing and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
D-39: A Robodog's Journey by Irene Latham is a story of hope, courage, and survival in the midst of violence because of civil war. I just love dogs, so when I saw the title and the cover, I was expecting that the main focus would be on the dog's perspective, but it was mostly about the girl Klynt.
The story followed Klynt a young tinkerer who lived with her father in a farm of the Worseland. She kept storing things of the past in her Museum of Fond Memories. A D-39 robodog showed up in their farm, she felt a connection with it and adopted the robodog as her pet since real dogs where all killed by the government because they were carriers of a deadly virus. When the war reached their place, Klynt was separated from his father. With continued effort and determination, she and D-39 had to go on a journey to find a safe place for both of them.
If you like slow, atmospheric pacing, this book is for you. Although the dystopian setting was not quite explain, since readers would only get the snippets of information through what the media mentioned in the story. The virus, BrkX, which the dogs were carriers was not explain as well. I was not able to understand the heavy implication of it to the point the government had to decide a drastic measure of killing all the dogs. On the other hand, the writing style was quirky. I liked how the word at the end of each chapter started a new one. There were also some made-up words which I got used to eventually and I appreciated the glossary at the end of the book.
Klynt was a brave character, and you would root for her throughout the journey. Of course, D-39 was an adorable side character as well. Klynt had this positive attitude, so I really liked how the author also included her worries and fears as well. This made her more real and a relatable character, especially for younger readers. She went through hard themes and subjects that highlighted her perseverance.
Overall, D-39: A Robodog's Journey is a story of finding courage and hope in difficult circumstances. I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to more books like this one.
3.5 stars!
D-39: A Robodog's Journey by Irene Latham is a story of hope, courage, and survival in the midst of violence because of civil war. I just love dogs, so when I saw the title and the cover, I was expecting that the main focus would be on the dog's perspective, but it was mostly about the girl Klynt.
The story followed Klynt a young tinkerer who lived with her father in a farm of the Worseland. She kept storing things of the past in her Museum of Fond Memories. A D-39 robodog showed up in their farm, she felt a connection with it and adopted the robodog as her pet since real dogs where all killed by the government because they were carriers of a deadly virus. When the war reached their place, Klynt was separated from his father. With continued effort and determination, she and D-39 had to go on a journey to find a safe place for both of them.
If you like slow, atmospheric pacing, this book is for you. Although the dystopian setting was not quite explain, since readers would only get the snippets of information through what the media mentioned in the story. The virus, BrkX, which the dogs were carriers was not explain as well. I was not able to understand the heavy implication of it to the point the government had to decide a drastic measure of killing all the dogs. On the other hand, the writing style was quirky. I liked how the word at the end of each chapter started a new one. There were also some made-up words which I got used to eventually and I appreciated the glossary at the end of the book.
Klynt was a brave character, and you would root for her throughout the journey. Of course, D-39 was an adorable side character as well. Klynt had this positive attitude, so I really liked how the author also included her worries and fears as well. This made her more real and a relatable character, especially for younger readers. She went through hard themes and subjects that highlighted her perseverance.
Overall, D-39: A Robodog's Journey is a story of finding courage and hope in difficult circumstances. I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to more books like this one.
3.5 stars!
February 10, 2022
Very heavy-handed on the made-up slangbang phrases. You will hate it, and fast. But that's not why this book deserves so poor a rating.
I liked the one-page chapter format. Striking. Unique. In the kid's head. It keeps everything moving rapidly.
But it all gets.
So.
Very.
Tiresome.
I think the reason is that so little actually happens. A punchy format but no punchy action.
I abandoned the book halfway through. I rarely do this, especially having invested so far into it already. But I guess I wasn't invested enough in the characters. I did feel for the protagonist. When she cringed at having to hide something for which she'd surely get in trouble, my insides twisted too. But there were never any consequences. Without fail, the girl's dad catches her in something, and he starts to get angry ... and then the story just kind of moves on. It's like the book didn't care enough to pain the characters. Well, it kept me from caring, too.
I could see some interesting developments en route before I quit reading. But they were too obvious to be genuinely interesting "twists." So I had no surprises to anticipate. And to top it all off, despite getting fully halfway through the book, no "journey" (as promised in the title) had begun or even really been hinted at.
MPA ratings: G
I liked the one-page chapter format. Striking. Unique. In the kid's head. It keeps everything moving rapidly.
But it all gets.
So.
Very.
Tiresome.
I think the reason is that so little actually happens. A punchy format but no punchy action.
I abandoned the book halfway through. I rarely do this, especially having invested so far into it already. But I guess I wasn't invested enough in the characters. I did feel for the protagonist. When she cringed at having to hide something for which she'd surely get in trouble, my insides twisted too. But there were never any consequences. Without fail, the girl's dad catches her in something, and he starts to get angry ... and then the story just kind of moves on. It's like the book didn't care enough to pain the characters. Well, it kept me from caring, too.
I could see some interesting developments en route before I quit reading. But they were too obvious to be genuinely interesting "twists." So I had no surprises to anticipate. And to top it all off, despite getting fully halfway through the book, no "journey" (as promised in the title) had begun or even really been hinted at.
MPA ratings: G
May 30, 2021
{Digital copy provided by NetGalley and Charlesbridge}
Actual rating 2.5 stars
This verse novel about a girl and a robotic dog in an apocalyptic civil war setting was trying to be a lot of things. A story about the future, family, love, escape, survival, violence, and nature. I appreciated the directness of the main character and the relationship between her and her neighbor/travel companion a lot. But I was also incredibly frustrated by this book. The plot developments were often either trite or boring. I found a lot of the side characters annoying or underdeveloped. The plot twists were underwhelming. Most of all, however, I absolutely hated the neologisms used extremely frequently throughout. They serve no real purpose and just annoyed me.
Maybe others will feel differently about this book, but I believe you absolutely have to love neologisms to enjoy it.
Actual rating 2.5 stars
This verse novel about a girl and a robotic dog in an apocalyptic civil war setting was trying to be a lot of things. A story about the future, family, love, escape, survival, violence, and nature. I appreciated the directness of the main character and the relationship between her and her neighbor/travel companion a lot. But I was also incredibly frustrated by this book. The plot developments were often either trite or boring. I found a lot of the side characters annoying or underdeveloped. The plot twists were underwhelming. Most of all, however, I absolutely hated the neologisms used extremely frequently throughout. They serve no real purpose and just annoyed me.
Maybe others will feel differently about this book, but I believe you absolutely have to love neologisms to enjoy it.
August 13, 2021
Local favorite Latham melds a dog rescue story with a post-apocalyptic journey in a novel-in-verse peppered with a charming invented lexicon.
March 28, 2022
2.5 stars. I’ve been tricked, I’ve been backstabbed, and I’ve been, quite possibly, bamboozled. I was told this was a novel in verse, but it’s just a prose novel with single page length chapters. The fake words were annoying and overused, and I didn’t care about any of the characters. It just wasn’t that great a book. It’s definitely not “a powerful fable” like it says on the cover, nor is it “thoughtful and inventive” like the summary says.
June 16, 2021
There’s much goodness to share about D-39 for readers and writers of MG novels. Let's begin with the fun voice of the main character Klynt Tovis. I attempted to mimic Klynt’s voice in today's greeting above...it's a kind of silly-but-makes-perfect-sense style. I can tell that Klynt is smart and inventive by her language. She's the kind of character I want to stick with.
Klynt and her Papa live on a looganaught farm in the Worselands in the middle of a devastating civil war. Both the Tovis family and neighbors, the Tannins, have built bomb shelters for what they fear is coming. Klynt is a can-do kid, handy with her ever present screwdriver. She fixes what needs fixing, including ancient items such as toasters and a ham radio displayed in her museum of fond memories. Klynt hopes that someday, one of her messages will reach her mother whose been missing for years.
Readers learn that when Klynt was a baby, a deadly virus, BRXms, spread from canines to humans prompting the government to euthanize all dogs. Klynt’s mother, a veterinarian and founder of the Canine Corredor, (think underground railroad) smuggles dogs out of the Worselands to save dogs targeted for death.
Klynt struggles with her mother's absence and her father’s explanation about what has happened to her when a Dog-Alive model D-39 robo-dog shows up. Even though D-39 is so life-like it eats and poops, the robo-dog quickly fills Klynt’s life and heart -- though Papa threatens to sell its parts for cash to purchase expensive M-fuel that powers the chug-chug requires to harvest looganuts. Klynt introduces D-39 to her best friend, Jopa Tannin, who adores pet ants the way Klynt does D-39. Life is better with friends and pets.
The horrors of war do strike Klynt's home. Soldiers advance into the Worselands and bombs fall. After their bomb shelters are no longer safe, Klynt and Jopa are separated from the adults and have no choice but to strike out on their own looking for safety. They head north fifty miles to where Klynt believes Mama has gone along the Canine Corredor. Can they make it? Will Klynt's can-do outlook protect them from the oncoming freezeseason?
A practically perfect book for MG readers...but I'm old and I loved it!
Klynt and her Papa live on a looganaught farm in the Worselands in the middle of a devastating civil war. Both the Tovis family and neighbors, the Tannins, have built bomb shelters for what they fear is coming. Klynt is a can-do kid, handy with her ever present screwdriver. She fixes what needs fixing, including ancient items such as toasters and a ham radio displayed in her museum of fond memories. Klynt hopes that someday, one of her messages will reach her mother whose been missing for years.
Readers learn that when Klynt was a baby, a deadly virus, BRXms, spread from canines to humans prompting the government to euthanize all dogs. Klynt’s mother, a veterinarian and founder of the Canine Corredor, (think underground railroad) smuggles dogs out of the Worselands to save dogs targeted for death.
Klynt struggles with her mother's absence and her father’s explanation about what has happened to her when a Dog-Alive model D-39 robo-dog shows up. Even though D-39 is so life-like it eats and poops, the robo-dog quickly fills Klynt’s life and heart -- though Papa threatens to sell its parts for cash to purchase expensive M-fuel that powers the chug-chug requires to harvest looganuts. Klynt introduces D-39 to her best friend, Jopa Tannin, who adores pet ants the way Klynt does D-39. Life is better with friends and pets.
The horrors of war do strike Klynt's home. Soldiers advance into the Worselands and bombs fall. After their bomb shelters are no longer safe, Klynt and Jopa are separated from the adults and have no choice but to strike out on their own looking for safety. They head north fifty miles to where Klynt believes Mama has gone along the Canine Corredor. Can they make it? Will Klynt's can-do outlook protect them from the oncoming freezeseason?
A practically perfect book for MG readers...but I'm old and I loved it!
August 2, 2021
Although not really written in verse, this is novel dives into deep thoughts surrounding life, courage, and family.
Klynt lives on a farm in the Worselands. She hasn't seen her mother in a long time, since she's working in the underground to save dogs against a tyranny. Her father is a farmer and does his best to raise Klynt and keep his farm going. While Klynt enjoys her hobby of restoring artifacts for her personal museum, she's bored, especially when the government decides to close down the schools. When Robodog crosses her path, a ray of sunshine seeps into her life, but it only lasts a little while. The government keeps tightening the rules and soon, she finds herself on a journey to survive.
This book supposedly is written in verse, but this isn't quite the case. It's more like a few paragraphs of the story on each page for about half a page. The rest of the page is kept blank, while words from the last sentence are used as a title to the next paragraphs on the next page. And it continues like this without any poetic feeling. Instead, it comes across as a telling with dialogue in italics. Although I wasn't a fan of the format in the beginning (choppy), it wasn't really bad, either, and interesting enough to keep me reading the entire way through.
Fans of slow, deeper reads will like this one. There are a lot of thoughts from Klynt's end, and the book goes more through daily happenings before the 'journey' begins. Even then, it's not super fast-paced, but gives time for the situation to sink in. The problems Klynt and her family face are never fully explained, but drop in with bits and pieces to make the danger the war imposes obvious. In general, there is background information missing, and yet, this doesn't disturb the read, since it is about Klynt's courage and determination to overcome the problems. Family love is also important in these pages.
This is an original read with a lot of goodness for the right reader, but I'm not exactly sure who it is. The deep thoughts and difficult situations make it better for a young adult, but the word use and interests of Klynt keep it at a middle grade level. As an adult, I did find it entertaining, but my tween daughter wasn't quite as impressed.
I won a complimentary copy through Library Thing.
Klynt lives on a farm in the Worselands. She hasn't seen her mother in a long time, since she's working in the underground to save dogs against a tyranny. Her father is a farmer and does his best to raise Klynt and keep his farm going. While Klynt enjoys her hobby of restoring artifacts for her personal museum, she's bored, especially when the government decides to close down the schools. When Robodog crosses her path, a ray of sunshine seeps into her life, but it only lasts a little while. The government keeps tightening the rules and soon, she finds herself on a journey to survive.
This book supposedly is written in verse, but this isn't quite the case. It's more like a few paragraphs of the story on each page for about half a page. The rest of the page is kept blank, while words from the last sentence are used as a title to the next paragraphs on the next page. And it continues like this without any poetic feeling. Instead, it comes across as a telling with dialogue in italics. Although I wasn't a fan of the format in the beginning (choppy), it wasn't really bad, either, and interesting enough to keep me reading the entire way through.
Fans of slow, deeper reads will like this one. There are a lot of thoughts from Klynt's end, and the book goes more through daily happenings before the 'journey' begins. Even then, it's not super fast-paced, but gives time for the situation to sink in. The problems Klynt and her family face are never fully explained, but drop in with bits and pieces to make the danger the war imposes obvious. In general, there is background information missing, and yet, this doesn't disturb the read, since it is about Klynt's courage and determination to overcome the problems. Family love is also important in these pages.
This is an original read with a lot of goodness for the right reader, but I'm not exactly sure who it is. The deep thoughts and difficult situations make it better for a young adult, but the word use and interests of Klynt keep it at a middle grade level. As an adult, I did find it entertaining, but my tween daughter wasn't quite as impressed.
I won a complimentary copy through Library Thing.
June 9, 2021
It was hard to wait for this dystopian verse novel by Irene Latham but I did, and then I couldn't put it down. In the future United States, young girl Klynt lives in what is called the Worselands with her father. Years before a terrible virus was carried by dogs, then to humans. Many people die, too, thus dogs were gathered and destroyed. Within that time, Klynt's mother took up the cause and left, determined to be where dogs could be saved and live! Klynt is ever reminded of that loss and that her mother is a hero but she is stuck bored, helping her father farm and passing the time with restoring what she calls her Museum of Fond Memories.
Irene allows all the feelings of sadness and resentment show as she lets Klynt tell this tale. In poem by poem, I begin to feel sad for her life, wondering, as I believe many middle-grade readers will, how I would survive. She is inventive and resourceful but being so far away with only her father and seeing a few neighbors once a month on ration day is hard. Irene adds to this future way of life with her own inventive words, creating the poetry of this dystopian world: to Kyynt, these Worselands are a "hum-nothing that stretches for miles". A "chug-chug" is a tractor, her father shows a "droopbottom" face, and "leafgiants" are (did you guess?) trees. Irene's inventive style in the use of these words along with the poem connections as the last word of one leads to the next creates a bountiful tale of a future like no other.
Boring lives can change, especially for Klynt, for one day a visitor like no other shows up, a D-39 robodog. From that moment of discovery, life is a bit less boring, a bit more exciting, and then, a lot more dangerous! You, readers, don't want to miss this beautiful and creative story full of kindnesses no matter the hardships where Klynt gets to show she has learned some vitally important things while being bored. Surprises await!
Irene allows all the feelings of sadness and resentment show as she lets Klynt tell this tale. In poem by poem, I begin to feel sad for her life, wondering, as I believe many middle-grade readers will, how I would survive. She is inventive and resourceful but being so far away with only her father and seeing a few neighbors once a month on ration day is hard. Irene adds to this future way of life with her own inventive words, creating the poetry of this dystopian world: to Kyynt, these Worselands are a "hum-nothing that stretches for miles". A "chug-chug" is a tractor, her father shows a "droopbottom" face, and "leafgiants" are (did you guess?) trees. Irene's inventive style in the use of these words along with the poem connections as the last word of one leads to the next creates a bountiful tale of a future like no other.
Boring lives can change, especially for Klynt, for one day a visitor like no other shows up, a D-39 robodog. From that moment of discovery, life is a bit less boring, a bit more exciting, and then, a lot more dangerous! You, readers, don't want to miss this beautiful and creative story full of kindnesses no matter the hardships where Klynt gets to show she has learned some vitally important things while being bored. Surprises await!
December 26, 2021
For all those like me, let me first say: The robodog doesn't die in this book. There are dog deaths that happen in the history of this book and which are mentioned throughout but no dogs die on the pages of this book. I don't read a lot of dog books because my heart can't handle them but I got through this one just fine.
I really liked this book a lot! It's a fun adventure book with a lot of other stuff going on. It's set post-pandemic, post-government coup, amidst a civil war with a sci-fi twist and lots of robots. It's also at it's heart, a story about friends, family, survival and what all those things can mean.
It's timely in that weird way that happens when you're reading about things that aren't happening but COULD be happening. Makes you think and brings to light lots of interesting conversation topics while still being light in tone enough to not be too much for the intended age range (9-12 yrs old).
Story is in-verse but it's very free verse with a specific format which the author does explain in the note in the back. Definitely not your traditional poetry but I think the format adds a lot to the ambience of the story. I imagine each page is probably very akin to the kind of broken thoughts a child going through something like this might really be thinking.
I don't read a lot of dog books but I'm glad I gave this one a chance. Thoroughly enjoyed!
Note: There are a lot of made-up words in this book which is something that has stopped me from finishing other books in the past. However, I don't think these words inhibit the flow of the book. They're really easy to understand and once you're introduced to them they keep appearing. After the first bit of the book you're not having to learn more new words at every turn.
I really liked this book a lot! It's a fun adventure book with a lot of other stuff going on. It's set post-pandemic, post-government coup, amidst a civil war with a sci-fi twist and lots of robots. It's also at it's heart, a story about friends, family, survival and what all those things can mean.
It's timely in that weird way that happens when you're reading about things that aren't happening but COULD be happening. Makes you think and brings to light lots of interesting conversation topics while still being light in tone enough to not be too much for the intended age range (9-12 yrs old).
Story is in-verse but it's very free verse with a specific format which the author does explain in the note in the back. Definitely not your traditional poetry but I think the format adds a lot to the ambience of the story. I imagine each page is probably very akin to the kind of broken thoughts a child going through something like this might really be thinking.
I don't read a lot of dog books but I'm glad I gave this one a chance. Thoroughly enjoyed!
Note: There are a lot of made-up words in this book which is something that has stopped me from finishing other books in the past. However, I don't think these words inhibit the flow of the book. They're really easy to understand and once you're introduced to them they keep appearing. After the first bit of the book you're not having to learn more new words at every turn.
March 1, 2021
This was a really interesting read. I'm going to be honest, I only picked it because of the dog but this book was so much more than I thought it would be!
The language in this book took some getting used to but once you do its really interesting. The wording is similar to what we all use everyday but just a little bit off. It feels very much like something a child growing up in a post-apocalyptic world would create.
Speaking of the setting of this book is great! The whole post-apocalyptic vibe is amazing especially set against the farming community the MC finds herself in. While we still get an idea of the bigger picture of things from what is mentioned in the media. It as a truly masterful setup.
My only real concern about this book is the formatting. I'm not exactly sure why it formatted the way it is. It doesn't really add to the story in any meaningful way. In this point it just felt like the author was trying to do something unique and eye catching but it wasn't needed.
This was a really interesting book with a lot more than I was expecting. This book deals with some hard subjects but it does so in a unique way that really adds to the story. This is definitely something I will be recommending to my customers. This is one of those rare middle grade books that seems to transcend age and gender. I am definitely excited to get to talk up and hype this read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early review copy.
The language in this book took some getting used to but once you do its really interesting. The wording is similar to what we all use everyday but just a little bit off. It feels very much like something a child growing up in a post-apocalyptic world would create.
Speaking of the setting of this book is great! The whole post-apocalyptic vibe is amazing especially set against the farming community the MC finds herself in. While we still get an idea of the bigger picture of things from what is mentioned in the media. It as a truly masterful setup.
My only real concern about this book is the formatting. I'm not exactly sure why it formatted the way it is. It doesn't really add to the story in any meaningful way. In this point it just felt like the author was trying to do something unique and eye catching but it wasn't needed.
This was a really interesting book with a lot more than I was expecting. This book deals with some hard subjects but it does so in a unique way that really adds to the story. This is definitely something I will be recommending to my customers. This is one of those rare middle grade books that seems to transcend age and gender. I am definitely excited to get to talk up and hype this read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early review copy.
March 31, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley & Charlesbridge for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. I, unfortunately, had to DNF at 50%.
D-39 is a realistic robot dog that comes into the care of Klynt, a mechanical tinkerer living with her father in a dystopian wasteland and hoping her mother will come back one day.
The title made it seem like it'd be more about the dog and it kinda is, but it's mostly about Klynt. I really like the dystopian setting and found it interesting, I just mainly couldn't get past the writing.
There's a ton of made-up words in here like "poopflush" (toilet) "bombblast" (bomb) "dripface" (cry). I can't take them seriously at all, they're ridiculous to me. Bombblast reminds me too much of Jar Jar Binks. It's a mix of English and Jar Jar Binks language. Too weird! It's sad though, because the setting is really interesting.
I also wasn't a fan of the reasoning behind this dystopian setting. Dogs were banned due to a disease that spread from dogs to humans. Now there's war. Like, seriously? Hahhaha. I guess cats got out okay? Birds? I mean, I guess I am typing this while in a pandemic that began through a bat, but at least bats aren't banned. So it's probably just me unable to suspend disbelief to enjoy the story.
A cool dystopian story, if you can get past the "quirky" writing style.
D-39 is a realistic robot dog that comes into the care of Klynt, a mechanical tinkerer living with her father in a dystopian wasteland and hoping her mother will come back one day.
The title made it seem like it'd be more about the dog and it kinda is, but it's mostly about Klynt. I really like the dystopian setting and found it interesting, I just mainly couldn't get past the writing.
There's a ton of made-up words in here like "poopflush" (toilet) "bombblast" (bomb) "dripface" (cry). I can't take them seriously at all, they're ridiculous to me. Bombblast reminds me too much of Jar Jar Binks. It's a mix of English and Jar Jar Binks language. Too weird! It's sad though, because the setting is really interesting.
I also wasn't a fan of the reasoning behind this dystopian setting. Dogs were banned due to a disease that spread from dogs to humans. Now there's war. Like, seriously? Hahhaha. I guess cats got out okay? Birds? I mean, I guess I am typing this while in a pandemic that began through a bat, but at least bats aren't banned. So it's probably just me unable to suspend disbelief to enjoy the story.
A cool dystopian story, if you can get past the "quirky" writing style.
July 3, 2021
I really wanted to like this book because I like this author, but I have two big issues with it.
The first flaw (which is kinda minor and definitely not always the author’s fault): the cover image is too “cute” for the story. There are many well addressed, deep, dystopian topics (dictatorship, political abuses, pandemics, maternal abandonment) so I think a more serious looking image (like Hunger Games or City of Ember) would help the reader get into this story better.
The second and MAJOR flaw: Latham totally reveals the ending of Lowry’s book The Giver!! How can she do this? D-39 with its cute cover is more likely to be a first or early dystopian novel for younger middle grade kids, therefore it will most likely be read before The Giver. I’m really disappointed in this. Sigh.
But if a kid has already read The Giver, this is a good story with lots to ponder. My favorite part is the format, which the author’s note explains is a pseudo novel in verse. I like this way of showing kids that poetry is a big, creative genre.
The first flaw (which is kinda minor and definitely not always the author’s fault): the cover image is too “cute” for the story. There are many well addressed, deep, dystopian topics (dictatorship, political abuses, pandemics, maternal abandonment) so I think a more serious looking image (like Hunger Games or City of Ember) would help the reader get into this story better.
The second and MAJOR flaw: Latham totally reveals the ending of Lowry’s book The Giver!! How can she do this? D-39 with its cute cover is more likely to be a first or early dystopian novel for younger middle grade kids, therefore it will most likely be read before The Giver. I’m really disappointed in this. Sigh.
But if a kid has already read The Giver, this is a good story with lots to ponder. My favorite part is the format, which the author’s note explains is a pseudo novel in verse. I like this way of showing kids that poetry is a big, creative genre.
February 16, 2022
This was quite good in terms of style and presentation. The verse style made this story more poignant as well as unique set of words/slang. It kind of reminded me of text, because it was lowercase and almost describing emojis. The early part of this book disturb me, because it reminded of what will happen with the Great Reset, except it is not really the government, instead it is going to be central banks with the government. The taxes will go to the government. Your land is not yours anymore, instead you have to rent. Your firearms could be taken away from you. Groceries will be in short supply. Basically, this book got a little too real for comfort. The thing about dogs was a twist. The thing with Jopa was a little disturbing.
Verdict: A stylistically, unique dystopian/science-fiction novel that was made poignant by the verse. The glossary in the back of the book will be your friend if you get confused by the slang and cannot figure out what it means using context clues. Overall, I would say this is appropriate for 5th grade.
Verdict: A stylistically, unique dystopian/science-fiction novel that was made poignant by the verse. The glossary in the back of the book will be your friend if you get confused by the slang and cannot figure out what it means using context clues. Overall, I would say this is appropriate for 5th grade.
October 16, 2020
I received an electronic ARC from Charlesbridge Publishing through SLJ Day of Dialogue.
Dystopian fiction told in poetic prose. Latham uses poems to tell Klynt's story. Her country has fallen into civil war and the entire land is devastated. She and her father still work the family farm though the president turned dictator/tyrant has claimed the land as his own. The government and the Patriot rebels launch attacks and counterattacks that destroy much of the infrastructure and kill many. This sets the background for a story of perseverance and survival. When her father does not return to the farm, Klynt takes the neighbor boy and her robodog and sets off on a journey to reach the free country where her mother may be. Each poem advances the story and pulls readers in to be part of their fight for survival and freedom.
Dystopian fiction told in poetic prose. Latham uses poems to tell Klynt's story. Her country has fallen into civil war and the entire land is devastated. She and her father still work the family farm though the president turned dictator/tyrant has claimed the land as his own. The government and the Patriot rebels launch attacks and counterattacks that destroy much of the infrastructure and kill many. This sets the background for a story of perseverance and survival. When her father does not return to the farm, Klynt takes the neighbor boy and her robodog and sets off on a journey to reach the free country where her mother may be. Each poem advances the story and pulls readers in to be part of their fight for survival and freedom.
Read
June 4, 2021I'm not going to rate this because it's the right book for some readers, just not me.
I liked the main character, and I felt the intended emotion and tension throughout the story. The poetic format is interesting, but I don't think young readers will appreciate it. The world-building was solid, and the plot kept me reading.
What bothered me most was the made up words - it made for stop and start reading. Again, I don't think the target age group will appreciate the author's intention with it. It's just like reading Roald Dahl's BFG but with way more made up words because every character speaks them. It also could have been shaved down a bit. 448 pages will detour many kids. Yes, there's lots of white space because they are poems, but kids won't see that. They'll just see a giant book.
I liked the main character, and I felt the intended emotion and tension throughout the story. The poetic format is interesting, but I don't think young readers will appreciate it. The world-building was solid, and the plot kept me reading.
What bothered me most was the made up words - it made for stop and start reading. Again, I don't think the target age group will appreciate the author's intention with it. It's just like reading Roald Dahl's BFG but with way more made up words because every character speaks them. It also could have been shaved down a bit. 448 pages will detour many kids. Yes, there's lots of white space because they are poems, but kids won't see that. They'll just see a giant book.
November 2, 2021
This dystopian/novel-in-verse/survival story using a variation on the crown of sonnets style (starting each poem with the last word of the previous poem) takes a little getting used to. It’s worth sticking it out though and soon readers will start to understand the language (and there is a helpful glossary at the back for harder to decipher words). Klynt lives on a “looganut” (soybean) farm with her father. There is a “deathstretch” (war) going on and supplies are dwindling and the “boomblasts” (bombs) are getting closer and closer. When things get bad, Klynt and her father must take shelter in their “burrow” (underground shelter). When her father does not return after setting out in search of supplies on the traditional monthly ceasefire day, Klynt realizes she must try to escape north to freedom with her neighbor Jopa and her robodog D-39.
June 14, 2021
This book was unlike any I've read before and it was beautiful for it. The vocabulary was hard to understand in the beginning, but it added so much to the story. The verse format cemented that this was a child's brain we were in, everything was connected, yet separate. And finally the story itself was riveting. K-K is amazing and her adventures with D-39 and Papa were thrilling and nervous-wracking and brilliant. My favorite part was without a doubt, the ending. There is no magical tie-up, but K-K ends the story with the family she's always needed, rather than the one she wanted, and she's better for it.
August 24, 2021
Thank you Netgally and publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
There aren't very many dystopian middle grade novels that have been recently released, so this one had me intrigued. This is a novel in verse/narrative broken into chunks of thought. D-39 is about a girl and a robotic dog in an apocalyptic civil war setting. Klynt, the main character, was so brave, and it was easy to root for her the entire novel. She was a real and a relatable character, especially for younger readers. I love that she was able to find courage and hope through her difficult journey and the situations she went through.
There aren't very many dystopian middle grade novels that have been recently released, so this one had me intrigued. This is a novel in verse/narrative broken into chunks of thought. D-39 is about a girl and a robotic dog in an apocalyptic civil war setting. Klynt, the main character, was so brave, and it was easy to root for her the entire novel. She was a real and a relatable character, especially for younger readers. I love that she was able to find courage and hope through her difficult journey and the situations she went through.
October 21, 2021
The civil war of Klynt's world is anything but. Both sides fight, long, hard, dirty, and the government is as corrupt as any. But there are small glimmers of hope, and when her world is tossed upside down, Klynt learns about herself, what it means to be a hero, about family, and about hope and courage. Presented in a poetic prose format, this book is both humorous and serious. The adventures are jammed packed, even when bombs are not falling and moose are chasing them. Oh, and there is this dog. One very special canine that is at the heart of it all.
February 3, 2022
Dystopian novel in verse by local author Irene Latham. There were so many things to like about this book starting with the characters. Klynt, her father, Jopa, and of course D-39 were all likable characters. Klynt gains a lot of maturity from the beginning to the end of the story proving that she is loyal, intelligent, resourceful and brave. Jopa is such a sweet funny little boy and his over the top love of ants is charming. The storyline was strong as was the writing style. Plenty of adventure too!
This will be a book I can recommend to variety of kids.
This will be a book I can recommend to variety of kids.
February 4, 2021
Once I started reading this book, I couldn't stop. Readers will root for Klynt as she bravely struggles to keep those she loves safe in a world becoming increasingly dangerous. At her side is D-39, a robodog who will paw a way into your heart as movingly as any real dog might. This is a story of love and hope and courage and determination. It is a story that resonates - one that will hum inside of you for a long time.
May 21, 2023
Set in the future, all dogs in the world had to be killed because of a virus. The main character, a young girl who lived in a place called Worselands (really...) was just completely uninteresting. The story had endless made up words (in every sentence), it just didn't work for me. Things like "poopflush" (toilet), "bombblast" (bomb), "dripface" (cry), "chug-chug" (tractor), "droopbottom face" (sad face), and "leafgiants" (trees).
Love the cover though!
Love the cover though!
July 9, 2021
I love everything about this novel in verse. The plot-keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters-distinct and believable. The language-the author creates lingo that is easily recognizable but helps ground the novel solidly in the future. Really enjoyed this one-handing it to my grandson tonight!
April 29, 2024
A dystopian verse novel? Yes, please.
Fast paced enough that students are going to really like it. A great middle grade book.
Suspenseful and hopeful.
Favorite lines:
“I don’t dare look at Papa’s face. I can’t take his pain when I’m too busy with my own” (163).
“A raven swoops overhead, and its wings are writing in cursive against the parchment sky” (379).
“What if being a hero isn’t about staying or going or even fighting or rescuing. What if being a hero is about listening? To yourself?” (441).
Fast paced enough that students are going to really like it. A great middle grade book.
Suspenseful and hopeful.
Favorite lines:
“I don’t dare look at Papa’s face. I can’t take his pain when I’m too busy with my own” (163).
“A raven swoops overhead, and its wings are writing in cursive against the parchment sky” (379).
“What if being a hero isn’t about staying or going or even fighting or rescuing. What if being a hero is about listening? To yourself?” (441).
February 22, 2025
Thanks Netgalley and Charlesbridge for the arc.
Well, I have mixed feelings about this. I didn't know it's in verse and that's on me. The story itself rwminds me of another middle grade book that I can't remember but the reminder hits home.
"That’s what a hero does, apparently—leaves." It's definitely heavy for middle graders.
Well, I have mixed feelings about this. I didn't know it's in verse and that's on me. The story itself rwminds me of another middle grade book that I can't remember but the reminder hits home.
"That’s what a hero does, apparently—leaves." It's definitely heavy for middle graders.
Read
February 13, 2023The structure of the story, including the crazy new words created for this world, just made this story unenjoyable to read. I tried about 10 chapters but even the way the chapter titles were just formed from the last word(s) of the previous chapter grated on me.
DNF
DNF
November 9, 2024
Supposed to be written in verse-I guess I need to learn more about what that might mean. Lots of (unnecessary) made up compound words that make it seem like a lighter subject than it really is- a girl trying to find shelter on the frontlines of a war.
June 1, 2021
Great story, heavy yet hopeful. Full of fun ways to say simple words like wind, smile and even a moment.
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