Thanks to Nicki

American Girl: Nicki #2

by Ann Howard Creel

Ten-year-old Nicki Fleming is about to start fifth grade. She has spent the summer on her Colorado ranch working with Sprocket, the service dog she has been training, and helping her mother, who is expecting twins. In addition, Nicki's best friend Becca was away all summer, and Nicki has gotten to be close friends with Kris, one of the new girls at their school.
The start of a new school year is usually an exciting time for Nicki, but this year it's laced with sadness because it means that Sprocket will soon leave for advanced training and eventual placement with a person with special needs. Starting school is also more challenging this year because it means trying to maintain close friendships with both Kris and Becca, who don't know each other very well.
Can Nicki find a way to let Sprocket go AND to keep both Kris and Becca close?

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Animals, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Juvenile

116 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2007

About the author

Ann Howard Creel writes guaranteed heart-wrenching historical fiction. In her novels, strong female characters face unforeseen obstacles and then have to make life-changing decisions.

After first writing for children, she turned her attention to Historical Fiction. Her first novel for adults, THE MAGIC OF ORDINARY DAYS, was made into a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie on CBS. Her recent titles have been Kindle bestsellers and include WHILE YOU WERE MINE, THE WHISKEY SEA, THE UNCERTAIN SEASON, THE RIVER WIDOW, and MERCY ROAD.

She now writes full-time. Ann's main characters are always strong women facing high-stakes situations and having to make life-changing decisions. Her historical settings have ranged from Victorian-era Galveston to World War II in New York City. Her latest novel, A LIFE CAME CALLING, coming in August 2025, takes readers to the Smoky Mountains near the end of World War II.

WHY I WRITE ABOUT WORLD WAR II
My biggest inspiration has been my parents, who lived the war. Due to the courage and unity of their time, they have been called "the greatest generation," and WWII has also been called "the last good war."

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Then I felt something guilty creep over me. I tried to shrug it off, but it grew...I had taken up with someone else while my best friend was away."

Nicki thought she was riding high. She figured out how to say "no" (finally!!) to all of the increased responsibilities, she trained Sprocket (the guide dog), and she even made friends with one of the 'mean girls' from her school.

"Wish me luck today, Sprocket," I said and buried my face in his neck.

But then the school year starts and her mom is not doing well at the end of the pregnancy. Nicki's old best friend (Becky) and her new friend (Kris) can't stand each other.

To top it all, Sprocket's training is almost done and with that comes the realization that Nicki might lose Sprocket forever.

"Not to worry, Nicki. He's not perfect - no dog can be perfect - but he's pretty close. Close enough, I think."
My heart sank all over again.

How can Nicki deal with all of this?

Wow. Brilliant follow up. It's definitely earned its spot as the first 5 star read from the Girl of the Year series.

What really made this one stand out to me was the emotional depth of the characters.

Don't get me wrong, the previous books were good and fun lighthearted reads but in this one - the main character felt like a real person. Her fears, her worries, her grief - it was all so stunningly real. I felt myself tearing up right there with her - beautifully written.

That's not to say that there weren't fun elements - Sprocket was adorable and I liked watching Nicki learning to stand up for herself and others. It was wonderful to watch her family come together and work through things as a unit.

The illustrations were freaking adorable throughout the book - which was just the icing on the cake.

That being said, I do give the parents a complete side-eye at allowing Nicki to name the twin siblings fully on her own.

And to let Nicki choose the name the twins Rebecca and Kristine, after her elementary-school best friends? Really? No one in the family could see that backfiring?

I'm going to acknowledge I'm overthinking it...but yeah. Awkward.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a girl who has to give up the dog she trained so he can become a service dog. she has to learn to cope with that, but on top of it she has to get her 2 bffs to get to like each other. At the same time her mother is on bed rest.

This is a fun but sad book. You will love it.

I recommend this book to all girls who love dogs.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fitting conclusion to the Nicki books. And I'm glad there are only two in the series.

[Cairn · Rating 3 out of 5]

slow at frist

[Eva B. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full series review for Nicki:
A solidly "meh" GOTY for me. I think her storyline with training the service dog is unique in a way some of the later GOTY ones are not and I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that Nicki has to give the dog away. I was expecting the twist to be that one of the twins would be born with a disability and she'd end up keeping the dog to help them, but I think it was stronger to have her hand him off to a girl who needs his help. A good message about moving on.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicki really grew on me. I think her mom still puts way too much pressure on her. However, Nicki's parents should not name their new daughters after Nicki's friends. Especially friends that caused her much stress due to them constantly arguing over her. Neither of them apologized to each other, or to Nicki. And so Nicki just decides to name her sisters after them? But other than that, this was a super cute book. I like how her teacher helped her out subtly.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sprocket finally got a home with someone he could help, even though Nicki was really sad to have to let go. Some things are really hard to let go, but you have to.

[Denise Kettering · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicki is dealing with a few key problems in this book: her mom is expecting twins, her two best friends aren't getting along, and most importantly, the service dog she has been training has to move on to someone who needs him. There are a lot of emotional ups and downs for Nicki as she loves Sprocket and it is really hard for her to say good-bye. Nicki's parents continue to have some somewhat unrealistic expectations for her maturity in this book and at times the book moves rather slowly as Nicki tries to process everything that is going on in her life. Overall, this book offers an opportunity to explore what it is like to lose a pet in one way or another, but at times the book moves rather slowly.

[Shayla Salazar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok this sequel was a bit better than the first but oh my goodness are Nicki’s parents so out of touch. I wish this series highlighted the good of service dog training by letting it be Nicki’s choice rather than it being dumped on her. It makes this all seem very unfair and difficult on a 10 year old.

[Shani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe it’s because I finished it late and I’m tired, but the end did something to me few books have done before: It made me tear up. Which for me, is a bit of a big deal.

Just as strong as the first one. Had a few detail I’d vote to change, but over all a great book.

[Holly Trowbridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute continuation of Nicki's story from her first book. Even though I am not a huge fan of her character, I love the shining light placed on friendship and service animal/animal companionship featured in this book.

[•Amelia•]

It was so sad when Nicki had to give Sprocket away! First it was 21 days and then BOOM! The day to give him up was there! I wish that Sprocket had failed his training and she could have kept him.

[amanda luke ✡︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, the ten year old’s mindset that you can only have one friend.

Saying goodbye to Sprocket almost made me cry.

[Autumn Fortier]

Read during the 2012-2013 school year of this library-loving homeschool grad!

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1

[Magen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicki’s parents suck so bad

[Amanda Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

And more dogs! (I thought Nicki’s stories were cute!)

[Scarlett Graglia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:
When Nicki's mother finds out she has to be on bed rest due to her being pregnant with twins, Nicki has to take on training a service dog named Sprocket. Nicki becomes very attached to Sprocket. She has done a great job in training him to be a successful service dog, but she hopes his does not pass his advanced training. The thought of Sprocket leaving makes her cry. Nicki also makes a new friend over the summer. Nicki's best friend, Becca, was away the whole summer. When they start their first day of fifth grade, Nicki has to break the news to Becca that she made a new friend named Kris over the summer. Kris is one of the new girls at school and does not get along with Nicki's close friend Becca. She struggles to get both of her friends to get along. The start of school is usually an exciting time for Nicki, but this start is not. She is sad Sprocket has to be given away to some with special needs and that her two friends can not get along. Will Nicki be able help Becca and Kris become friends and will she overcome her sadness of having to give Sprocket away to someone in need?

Evaluation:
I loved this book because it shows the strong bond between the main character Nicki and the dog, Sprocket. I believe this story helps young children understand the journey of training a dog to become a service dog and how much of an impact service dogs have on people with special needs. It also showed the true meaning of friendship and that one is able to have more than one friend.

Teaching Idea:
A great teaching idea would be to teach students all about service dogs. Most younger students probably do not know what a service dog is. The teacher could talk about service dogs and how important they are to people with a disability. The teacher may discuss ways in which a service dog may be needed. For instance, some service dogs have the ability to determine when a person is about to have a seizure. I think this is a great way to learn all about service dogs. Something else cool would be to have a well educated speaker with a service dog come in to a class and talk to students about service animals. They could even bring the service dog if the school allowed it.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicki is a great generous and sweet girl! She has ben taking off her summer and training Sprocket to be a dog that helps people who are blind. That isn't even the minimum of what she has to do, she has to help her mom who is expecting twins. with Becca her best friend gone skiing all summer Nikki became close friends with kris. Now the first day of fifth grade approaches and nicki is very worried. Will Becca be happy that Nikki became close friends with kris. how much longer does Nicki have until sprocket is tested to be a trained dog for bling and people who are disabled who need him?

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saying goodbye is always hard, especially to someone whose been such a big part of your life. Nicki has to give up the service dog she's worked so hard to train. And to top it all off, it seems like everything in her life is changing - from her friendships, her school life, and even things at home as her mother's due date approaches.

Like last time, Nicki learns how to cope with all that life throws at her. She's a remarkable girl and her books are well worth reading. Definitely recommended!

[Tchipakkan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an unrepentant fan of the American Girl books- this one, the story of a girl who finds it hard to not take on too much is both a heartwarming story, and good for the reader. I think we need more books like this.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was cute to and was surprised that she could bring her dog to school.

[Nour Awada]

i don't like this book because it's for the baby.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me genuinely cry. I was fully and completely enthralled in her story, I felt as if I was in this story. Few books do that. I give this 5 well deserved stars

[emma grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 2005-6.

[Anna Shin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It captures the bond between her dog and her family and it shows how much their dogs means to their family

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicki learns to do hard things and how to be a better friend.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I wish there were more books about her

[Edie Walls · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicki needs better friends... This was a surprisingly bittersweet book.

[Larah Helayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

soooooooooooo good! I Cried like a little baby!!!