Night of the Howling Dogs Night of the Howling Dogs ; Salisbury, Graham; Wendy Lamb Books (division of Random House), 2007. Grade Level: 5-9 ISBN-13 (hardback) & cost: 978035731225; $16.99 ISBN-10 (hardback) & cost: 0385731221; $16.99 ISBN-13 (paperback) & cost: 9780440238393; $6.50 ISBN-10 (paperback) & cost: 0440238390; $6.50 Blanket Permission to Reproduce Book Jackets: Wendy Lamb/Random House |
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Synopsis:
Survival skills are put to the test in 1975, when eleven Boy Scouts and their leaders who are camping at Halape, Hawaii experience a massive earthquake strike followed by a tsunami.
General Review:
When hearing that Louie will be joining his Boy Scout troop, eighth grader Dylan's anticipation turns to dread. But Louie was the least of Dylan's worries when an earthquake hits their campground, and then a tsunami floods the area. Dylan and Louie must use each other's strengths to help the others. A tale, based on a true event, of courage, strength and survival that will have the reader not wanting to put the book down.
Themes: Natural disasters, Bullies, Boy Scouts, Camping, Courage, Hawaii, Survival, Tsunamis
Author Information:
- Favorite Children's Authors and Illustrators – vol 5 (Traditions Books)
- Writers for Young Adults – vol 3 (Scribner's Sons)
- Continuum Encyclopedia of Children's Literature (Continuum)
- Major Authors & Illustrators for Children and Young Adults – Supplement (Gale)
Discussion Questions: (Standard 3; Benchmark 5)
- Have you ever been bullied by someone older than you? Did something happen, like in this story, to change your relationship with or your opinion of that person?
- In the story, there was a myth that seeing a dog repeatedly meant trouble to come. In everyday life, we hear about myths such as “my nose is itching, I must be going to have company.” What myths have you heard, and do you believe them?
- Have you ever been involved in a natural disaster or known someone who has been? What survival skills have your parents taught you so that you could be prepared for a natural disaster that is common in your area?
Activities:
• Research what survival skills are taught by the Boy Scouts of America. Which badges need to be earned? (Standard 2; Benchmark 4)
• Research the true event that this book was based upon. Compare and contrast the events and people involved with the events and characters of the book. How historically accurate was the author? (Standard 2; Benchmark 4)
• Using print and electronic resources, have your students become experts on survival. They can learn safety and survival skills, and use the information to create a poster or brochure. Have each student choose a different natural disaster: avalanche, flood, tornado, hurricane, forest fire, earthquake, or getting lost in the woods. (Standard 5; Benchmark 3)
Similar Books for Further Reading
• Earthquake Terror by Peg Kehret
• Night of the Twister by Ivy Ruckman
• Quake by Joe Cottonwood
• A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clements
