Dog Star

by Megan Shepherd

Based on an incredible true story, Carnegie Medal nominee and New York Times –bestselling author Megan Shepherd crafts a harrowing, propulsive girl-and-her-dog tale that will linger in your heart long after the last page.

Laika is a Cold Dog, a stray pup fighting for her life on the streets of Moscow. Then, one winter night, she is plucked from her alley to become a starflyer , a dog trained to travel into space. Distrustful of people, Laika tries to do everything she can to escape. That is, until she meets Nina.

Nina is a Cold Girl, lonely and full of questions. Her best friend has moved to America in a rush, leaving Nina to face the school bullies all by herself. Plus, her father’s work as a scientist in the Soviet Space Program grows more secretive by the day.

When the two meet in her father’s laboratory, their growing bond slowly warms the chill that has settled in each other’s hearts. As the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union grows fierce, Laika and Nina uncover shocking secrets and hard truths that will test their friendship. How will they find the courage to chase their dreams all the way to the stars?

Genres: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Russia, Animals, Historical, Animal Fiction, Childrens

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 11, 2022

About the author

New York Times bestselling author Megan Shepherd grew up in her family’s independent bookstore in the Blue Ridge Mountains. She is the author of several young adult and middle grade novels. She now lives and writes on a 125-year-old farm outside Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband, two cats, and an especially scruffy dog.

Reviews

[H.L. Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

my daughter said to read this book. I said, no, I know the history, that book will be sad. She still insisted. The book was sad. She mocks my grief. My child is cruel.

[Megan Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have a cover!

[bookishbrooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book— and then go hug your dog. 𓃡 ✧

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Dog Star, and, pup-date!: it was fantastic! The Space Race has always been an era of history that I find to be super fascinating (I mean, seriously: how did people launch rockets into space without even iPhones yet, I’ll never know). I really enjoyed getting to learn some more about this crazy era of history where we were launching dogs into the stratosphere and quite literally, shooting for the moon. I’ve obviously heard of Laika’s sad story before, but I’ve never heard it told in a way that illustrates just how respected and appreciated she was. Shepherd depicts Laika as not a science experiment, but as an integral part of Russia’s space program and an inspiration to both researchers and the watching public.

Readers of this book will not only fall in love with its fierly little protagonist Nina and her brave pup, but with outer space, and the incredible relationship history has had with reaching the stars. So…

Pack Tissues, 2.) Buy a Telescope, 3.) Spill Some Soup on the Floor and Let Your Dog Lick It Up

[Tez · Rating 5 out of 5]

It shouldn't take long to read a book that's only about 200 pages. But I stretched it out to a week. Yes, it's a five-star read. To say any more would be spoilery:

It's based on a true story. Laika really was a Soviet dog sent into space. With that knowledge, I had the gut feeling this book would make me cry - which explains why I kept stretching out the book, delaying tears. (I have Major Depressive Disorder, and crying often marks the start of a flare-up for me.) They finally came page 153.

(WARNING: Animal death.)

Yes, I cried about the story, and its real life history. But I also cried for me and my beloved cats. My little old man, Manny, had heart failure a couple of years ago. We had a vet appointment on a Friday. The decision was made. But I requested one last weekend with him. He left us forever on a Monday. Spending time with a loved one while knowing their death is incredibly near... Reading the book, I cried for Laika and for my Manny. But it was Manny's time to go when he did.

It wasn't Laika's time, though. Yet she went anyway.

The space institute scientists and administrators knew the mission wasn't ready, knew it fail at this point no matter how hard they tried to make it a success. They desperately needed more time, but the political powers that be overruled them. To speak out publicly against that would likely have lead to the space institute people being jailed or killed.

There's a monument to Laika in real life. She is honoured.

In the novel, Laika's story ends where it begins - with the Dog Star. The brightest star in the sky, that can help comfort and inspire courage in any dog - Cold or Warm.

I don't know much about my current cat, Priya's, young life. Think the RSPCA said she was a stray, and that her foster family had worked so hard with her before being listed for adoption. She may have been a difficult case? She's very shy. Runs under my bed when guests are here. Won't let anyone touch her except for me (and the vet, though reluctantly). Still technically a kitten when we adopted her, but she may have been a Cold Cat. Now she is a Warm Cat.

Laika was a Cold Dog. I'm glad she got the opportunity to be a Warm Dog, however brief. But what followed... Death by overheating. No one wants that kind of "warm".

Dog Star is a difficult story. It's well-written, but adults will be reluctant to read it if they know it's based on history. (We can read about people dying, maybe because we're too desensitised to human death. But reading animal death... It's different. Too personal. Hard to explain.) How will middle-grade readers fare with this? Should they know the true story before reading? Are they prepared for tragic endings? (These are not rhetorical questions - I'm mid-30s and don't know what the youth of today are like.) I don't know how this book can find an audience. Had it not been written by Megan Shepherd, I likely would have skipped it. (I rarely ever read middle-grade.)

[Carina Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew I had to read this book when I saw that cute cover. And because I have read and enjoyed books by this author for years. I hoped I would like this one, and that I did. Giving it four stars, as it was almost perfect to me. It was also all kinds of sad which just broke my heart. Rude. But it was so good too. I loved the writing.

I must admit that I did not really know much about Laika and her story before reading this book. Only knew that there has been a dog in space, but no real details about it. And reading this story was pretty exciting. But also sad, which was hurtful. But it was a great story, and I am glad that I read it. It was a story with heart.

This book takes place in Russia in 1957. It tells the story of Laika, the first dog sent to space. It was a honest and real story. I knew how it would end, with the dog, but I still hoped that it would have a different ending. It did not. Sobs. It was fully interesting to read about, though. This book is told from two different point of views, alternating between them. We get to read from the dog, Laika. And the girl who gets to know her, Nina. I will not be sharing too much about this book. As it was a pretty easy and fast read. There was not really that much happening. But it was pretty exciting at times and full of family love, which I enjoyed a lot. I really liked reading about the bond between Laika and Nina, how it kept growing. They were both so cute but sad and broken too.

I enjoyed getting to know Nina and her family. She is twelve years old and her brother Ivan is ten. He wasn't all that nice at first but I grew to care for him, as he got better. I also liked her parents a lot. Their family scenes were pretty cute. Nina had a best friend, who escaped with her family to America, having been branded as traitors to Russia. And so she cannot talk to her or talk about her at all. The people at her school doesn't treat her nice either. Some of it were a little weird, but I liked it even so. But sad too.

This book is about the dog Laika. And I really liked getting to read from her mind. She was a homeless dog, living alone out on the streets. Getting attacked by other dogs, barely getting something to eat. She did not have a good life. Until she got picked up by humans, wishing to use her in their space program. She got food and some new dog friends, who were adorable. She had to do a lot of tests, to see if she could enter space. It was a little hard to read about but so interesting too. I liked this dog a whole bunch.

Laika is being cared for by Nina's father, as he works there. So they get to meet and Nina starts spending time with the dogs. Which I adored a whole lot. This book was about them connecting and starting to care more. And the date for sending a dog into space got closer and closer. And then Nina slowly learned that Laika was never meant to come back from space, as the rocket was not made for that. And reading about all of that was so sad but good too. It was a fast read, full of feelings. I wish it had ended differently, haha.

One thing about this book is that it reminded me a lot about World War II and what happened then, with the youth groups. Okay, because it was featured in the last book I read about the war. And because of what is happening right now in the world, with the Russia war. And how similar Russia and Germany were back then. It was written well, though. But yeah. Russia in the time of the Communists did not seem like a good time. Does not seem like Russia is any better now. This doesn't focus much on any of that, though.

Dog Star was a great read. And I'm glad I read this beautiful story. It did make me cry, though. And I'm a little bitter about that ending, haha. But this was a stunning book. And I very much enjoyed it. It was not fully perfect to me, as I found some of the dog point of view a little weird, with talking to a star, but it was still very cute. And I cannot wait to read more books by Megan. I haven't yet read all of her books, but I have read a bunch, and she's a great writer. I think that you should all read this important and cute story.

---

This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: https://carinabooks.blogspot.com/2022...

[P.M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had been eager to read this one because it was about Laika, the Russian space dog. I remember being glued to the news when this happened and being devastated when the announcement was made that she had died. This book seemed rather bland and formulaic and did not hold my interest.

[Elizabeth Mellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t mind me, just sobbing 😭😭

[KitKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, and it definitely was a crier. This book drew me in with the first chapter. I could not stop reading this book. 100% would recommend if you like dog books.

[Sandy]

Most definitely! Finally a new book by Megan!

[Sherry Torgent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A space race that will warm your heart!

A young Russian girl and a stray dog that is training for the Soviet Union’s space program form an unlikely friendship that takes them both on an unexpected journey. Nina finds comfort in the small dog as she tries to cope with the disappearance of her best friend under communist rule, and Laika finds new hope in humanity as Nina’s kindness mends the wounds of the cold street life Laika had endured.

I love historical fiction, so right away I was drawn into the 1950’s Soviet Union world. This book is so much more than a cute story. It shows the readers what life was like for a young girl—for families living under restrictive rule in the Soviet Union. Chapters alternate back and forth between Nina and Laika, so the reader gets to know both girl and dog in equal measure as Laika progresses through starflyer training. This is a great book for all ages, and the fact that it’s based off a true story makes it even more endearing. Very well done and worth the read!

[Tyesha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm going to start off with the positives of this novel. Even though it is middle grade the author chose to keep the true ending of Laika's story. Laika was a real dog shot into space on a death mission. I found "Dog Star" to be a quick and easy read. It won't necessarily grip you but it doesn't drag on and on. And here are the things I didn't like. The writing was not the greatest. There are pages where every sentence is stared with 'she' or 'the'. It's very redundant and quite frankly annoying. The author does not paint the picture she just tells you what's happening. The plot was also very slow. Stuff was technically happening but it was for the most part not that interesting. The characters were also written in an unnatural way. The dialogue felt forced and the relationships felt fake.. I think this would be good for the younger range of middle grade ages. I usually can appreciate middle grade but this just wasn't it for me.

[Emilee (emileereadsbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fact this is based on a real dog that was launched into space makes it so much more interesting!

However, the perspective of a dog was hard to ground myself in. The writing was very choppy, maybe to represent the personality of the dog, but it was too much for me. I never could get fully in the story.

The "religion" of the dogs via the Dogstar is interesting. Depending on my kid and how solid their Christian faith is would determine whether of not I let them read this one.

This is a book about living your truth despite outside influence. What a great topic to discuss with the kids in your life. This is definitely one I would want to read alongside a middle grader and discuss if I out it in their hands.

Thanks to Macmillan Kids for the book to review. All opinions are my own.

[zola]

i thought this was well-written and i cried like a lil bitch but i genuinely never heard of laika before and I fear this is propaganda because in the author's note the author fully justifies this mission like it wasn't 100% animal cruelty. She said without Laika dying we wouldn't have GPS or smartphones (she listed a long list of modern technology. girl what???) I'm so mad I hate space there was literally no point to this mission and it was rushed and done for the ego and they knew she was going to die and lied about it!!!! why don't you send your own bitch ass self up to space when there's no technology to come back ? yeah you wouldn't so why sacrifice an animal like its life means nothing? she deserved better and the scientists involved regret what they did (been on a rabbit hole about this) but the author thinks its all chill, soo either brainwashed or supports animal cruelty

[Felicia Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

DOG STAR was a good middle grade book based around the true events of what happened during the space race. This book is a great way to introduce middle grade readers to that time in history while making it relatable to them. The story wasn't exactly fast paced but it flowed well enough I didn't feel like I was getting bored either. Though I will say I found I liked the dogs point of view best. This is definitely a book I would recommend to anyone who loves dogs, history or even space.
I will say this book can be triggering in some instances as it does keep the true ending so please be aware of that.

[Vijaya Ramcharitar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never liked what happened to Laika. I do not like using animals in this way. I made myself read this book and I can't blame the author (and I don't) because I really never liked that Laika was used in this way so it's not the author's fault I went in to read this book with a prejudice. I did not appreciate the 'fluffy' story of Laika and the family. It felt like this was glorifying what cruelty Laika had to endure even if she was a stray before. It also felt to me like - a dog wagging his tail and being excited walking to the euthanasia room at shelters not knowing that the shelter is making room by euthanising them. This triggered a lot for me. Just my opinion. Sorry.

[Rebecca Petruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

DOG STAR is a lovely tale that manages to be both heart-wrenching and inspirational. We cheer for our two main characters to find each other - Laika, the soon-to-be cosmonaut dog, and Nina, a young girl who begins to be aware of what it really means to live in Soviet Russia during the late 1950s. Their need for each other and what they gain from each other transcends the ever-approaching separation. I cried my eyes out! But my heart was so full, too, that I forgive Shepherd for breaking it in the first place. Five (dog)stars for this stunning novel. <3

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

i especially enjoyed the perspective of a stray dog in Moscow chosen to help the Russians in the 1950s space race. Popping flashes from cameras came from Ink Men (reporters).

The other perspective is from Nina, the young daughter of a Russian scientist in the Soviet Space Program.

While I recall some of this history, I appreciated the historical details that showed the value Russians had for the dogs sent into space. If only this empathy would extend to the Ukranian people today.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent middle-grade historical fiction, with a slight fantastic element in Laika's conversations with other dogs and the Dog Star.

Should absolutely not have read it three months to the day after the death of one of my cats; I am a blubbering mess, especially after seeing the pictures of Laika and her memorial in the back of the book.

[Eileen Winfrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unexpected story about Nina, a young girl whose father is part of the Communist space program in Russia in the 1950s. The other main character is Laika, a street dog who is captured and trained for the space program. Their paths cross as Russia prepares to send the first living being into orbit. Based on actual events. I think dog people will have a real emotional connection to this story.

[Alisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know this was based on history but this story was just so heartbreaking to me. I can’t stop thinking about how Laika had to die alone in space. I was really happy with the authors writing and how she didn’t dumb it down for the middle grade audience. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the arc in exchange for a honest review.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book except for the fact that the dog passed away. I wish it was a little more descriptive with how the characters talked to each other because their relationships sounded a little fake. It was fun to read but slightly uninteresting, I loved how my emotions changed from thinking that she was going to get saved and didn't, very tragic but great plot twist.

[Genny20 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only read this if you wanna cry!!! What the hell author!?? But for reals- it was very well written. It doesn't feel horribly one sided and is a good balance for humanizing the people caught in between a rock and a hard place in the USSR. All characters were well rounded and fleshed out and the story was spectacularly told. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys dogs and history!

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I’d had this book when I was a boy. The lure of space and adventure vs real world struggles. The hope against odds and sacrifice to achieve something for the love of others. This is a powerful tale conveying a real moment in history that connects us to the past and each other.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book on a lunch break which was a MISTAKE. Sobbed my eyes out and then had about five minutes to compose myself before a meeting. I hated this book so much for breaking my heart I had to give it five stars.

[lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

this got fucking rough in the end. going to saddle this with my friend anna (we both know laika’s history and even though i experience low empathy and they experience high empathy we both dread hearing laika’s history bc it fucking stings dude)

[P.M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had been eager to read this one because it was about Laika, the Russian space dog. I remember being glued to the news when this happened and being devastated when the announcement was made that she had died. This book seemed rather bland and formulaic and did not hold my interest.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Tell her that I was brave.”

Lailka was *seriously* launched into space in 1957! Holy moly - that makes this book 100 times more interesting!

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the true story of Laika, the Moscow street dog who became famous worldwide for her launch into space.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good but so sad! Poor Laika, hero dog!
Kids will be sad to read about Laila’s fate but it’s also a really fascinating and interesting real story from history that they deserve to know.

[Lizzie Kathleen Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sad.