Buddy
First edition
AuthorM.H. Herlong
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
PublishedSeptember 13, 2012
PublisherViking Press
ISBN978-0-670-01403-3

Buddy is a children's novel by American author M. H. Herlong about a family and a dog affected by Hurricane Katrina. It was first published in 2012 and won the award for William Allen White Children's Book Award in 2015 (Grades 6–8).[1]

Background

The author is a long-term resident of New Orleans and was evacuated with her family at the time of the hurricane. She recalled that many people left pets behind as they expected to be absent only a couple of days, as was usual with evacuations.[2]

Plot

Tyrone "Li'l T" Roberts meets Buddy when his family's car unintentionally hits the stray dog on their way to church. Buddy ends up being the pet dog Li'l T's constantly wanted, until Hurricane Katrina comes to New Orleans and he needs to leave Buddy. After the tempest, Li'l T and his dad return home to discover a group attempting to reconstruct their lives, and Buddy gone. Yet, Li'l T declines to surrender his mission to locate his closest companion.

Characters

  • Tyrone "Li'l T" Elijah Roberts
  • Tanya – Li'l T's young sister
  • Baby Terrell – Li'l T's young brother
  • Tyrone – Li'l T's Dad
  • Mama – Li'l T's Mom
  • Grandpa T – Li'l T's Grandpa
  • Buddy - Li'l T's Dog
  • Brian - the new owner of Buddy
  • Brian's Mother

Reception

A reviewer for The New York Times wrote "What makes "Buddy" memorable is not just the tale of a boy's fierce love for his dog but its harrowing portrayal of one of this nation's most traumatic natural disasters. From start to finish, "Buddy" is a testament to the human capacity to endure, to find hope in the sodden ruins of destroyed lives.".[3]

Kirkus Reviews wrote "A touching tale of hope, of holding on when you can, and of letting go when it’s the right thing to do."[4]

Buddy has also been reviewed by Horn Book Guides,[5] School Library Journal,[6] and Library Media Connection.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Past Winners". Emporia State University. Archived from the original on 25 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  2. ↑ "Grades 3-5: Malcolm at Midnight by W. H. Beck; Grades 6-8: Buddy by M.H. Herlong". William Allen White Children's Book Awards. Archived from the original on 21 March 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  3. ↑ "How Pets Can Help Us Through The Most Difficult Times". The New York Times. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Buddy". Kirkus Reviews. Kirkus Media LLC. July 15, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Buddy". Horn Book Guides. Media Source Inc. 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2019. Setting acts as a character in this emotional book, showing a strong, tight-knit community that is uniquely New Orleanian.
  6. ↑ "Buddy". School Library Journal. Media Source Inc. 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2019. This is more than just a dog story as the novel has strong, well-developed adult characters in a wise and caring grandfather and a tough but loving father.
  7. ↑ "Buddy". Library Media Connection. Linworth Publications. 2010. Retrieved May 27, 2019. Herlong has written a stirring book, the theme of love is accented with the devastation of Katrina and the trials of families affected, as well as organizations aiding in the rescue of animals.
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