No Better Friend: Young Readers Edition: A Man, a Dog, and Their Incredible True Story of Friendship and Survival in World War II

Gr 6–9—Weintraub's middle grade adaptation of his adult book is an almost unbelievable tale of animal survival and loyalty amid the horrors of World War II. Born in Shanghai, China, Judy the purebred pointer dog began her military career when she was adopted by a group of English sailors who took her onboard a gunboat and eventually moved her to Singapore just as World War II reached the Pacific. Judy survived sinking ships, torpedoed boats, and life on a desert island before following her human companions to a Japanese internment camp, where she met Frank Williams, a radarman in the Royal Air Force. The friendship between the two, as well as Judy's encouragement and protection of other men interned at the camp, helped raise spirits in a desperate situation. Readers will appreciate this work, which has been lovingly and engagingly adapted by Weintraub. Through accessible language, the author makes it clear that he is inferring many aspects of the narrative. Sidebars on topics such as the Sino-Japanese War, the Battle of Britain, and post-traumatic stress disorder among soldiers add context. Photographs are frequent, well chosen, and clearly captioned. A thorough notes section (present in the adult version) is left out.