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109th out of 602 books
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916 voters
Cracker!: The Best Dog in Vietnam
CRACKER IS ONE OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY'S MOST VALUABLE WEAPONS:
a German shepherd trained to sniff out bombs, traps, and the enemy. The fate of entire platoons rests on her keen sense of smell. She's a Big Deal, and she likes it that way. Sometimes Cracker remembers when she was younger, and her previous owner would feed her hot dogs and let her sleep in his bed. That was...more
a German shepherd trained to sniff out bombs, traps, and the enemy. The fate of entire platoons rests on her keen sense of smell. She's a Big Deal, and she likes it that way. Sometimes Cracker remembers when she was younger, and her previous owner would feed her hot dogs and let her sleep in his bed. That was...more
Hardcover, 308 pages
Published
February 6th 2007
by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
(first published January 1st 2007)
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Cracker! has a value all its own. I read this book in 2 days but only because I had to sleep and I fell asleep thinking about it. I was that enthralled. I adore Cracker, and Rick is a great owner. I can relate to Rick's frustration in the beginning of the book with both Cracker and himself.
I like that you get the perspective of Cracker, Cracker's previous owner Willie, and Rick; it makes the book more interesting. Rick and Cracker don't just make a team, but a relationship. They have a bond that...more
I like that you get the perspective of Cracker, Cracker's previous owner Willie, and Rick; it makes the book more interesting. Rick and Cracker don't just make a team, but a relationship. They have a bond that...more
Nov 13, 2012
Jennifer Wardrip
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
trt-posted-reviews,
trt-gold-star-award-winner
Reviewed by Sally Kruger, aka "Readinngjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
This book tells the story of a Vietnam hero. It's not your usual run-of-the-mill war story because it's told from two points of view. A young soldier named Rick Hanski and a German shepherd he trained for the military share the spotlight as they recount their adventures from training camp to active duty in the jungles of Vietnam.
Cracker and Rick are paired together in training to sniff out bombs, booby-traps, and enemy soldiers....more
This book tells the story of a Vietnam hero. It's not your usual run-of-the-mill war story because it's told from two points of view. A young soldier named Rick Hanski and a German shepherd he trained for the military share the spotlight as they recount their adventures from training camp to active duty in the jungles of Vietnam.
Cracker and Rick are paired together in training to sniff out bombs, booby-traps, and enemy soldiers....more
Cracker the best dog in vietnam is a book about a dog that is taken from her home in chicago to be trained as a military dog that has a hard time adjusting to the life swap. when she recived a new trainer Rick he would stay with her for the rest of the story...mostly. At first they go through training and meet some new people. When they get to nam they don't see alot of action but later in the story they go on a misson with the special forces wich dos't contibute to the stoy much. the next misso...more
this is about a dog that gets sent to vietnam she ends up being the best!this is such a great book.
2 likes · like · see review
This book is an amazing writing by Cynthia Kadohata. I love this book a TON and can't wait for more of her writings. I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 because it was just the perfect book for people like me. When cracker has to leave Willie they both knew it would be hard. Cracker is then forced to go to Vietnam to fight in the war. Rick keeps saying they will whip the world but things aren't looking too good... I absolutely loved this book because of the wording the author used to describe th...more
Cracker1 the best dog in vietnam was pretty good, well when Rick Hanski wants to whip the world in some way and show his family that he has what it takes to be a soldier in the vietnam war. Cracker is a German shepherd who is shipped out to war to snip out bombs, drugs, traps, and the enemy but when Rick and Cracker has to team up together they also have to work up a friendship and manage to get out of war alive. with their team work and effort and a dog who just maybe thev best dog in vietnam t...more
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Author: Cynthia Kadohata
Book Name: Cracker!
Pages: 308
Brief Summary: This book is about a dog named Cracker and his owner Willie are about to get separated from each other because Willie's dad lost his job so they had to move into an apartment and they had 30 days to get rid of the dog, so one day Willie is looking in this article and he sees that they need more dogs to go to Vietnam, so Willie sends Cracker to Vietnam and he gets a trainer named Rick. Rick and Cracker don...more
Author: Cynthia Kadohata
Book Name: Cracker!
Pages: 308
Brief Summary: This book is about a dog named Cracker and his owner Willie are about to get separated from each other because Willie's dad lost his job so they had to move into an apartment and they had 30 days to get rid of the dog, so one day Willie is looking in this article and he sees that they need more dogs to go to Vietnam, so Willie sends Cracker to Vietnam and he gets a trainer named Rick. Rick and Cracker don...more
I wasn't sure how this book would be received. It's a bit more graphic and violent than other books we've read before. But they hung on every word and as soon as we finished the book, literally, the 2 youngest asked me to read it again. Starting right then.
While this book talks a great deal about Vietnam, you need an additional source to really understand the war, especially why we entered and why we left and what that meant long-term. This is more a personal story and talks about stuff that ha...more
While this book talks a great deal about Vietnam, you need an additional source to really understand the war, especially why we entered and why we left and what that meant long-term. This is more a personal story and talks about stuff that ha...more
Cracker!
308 pages
Cynthia Kadohata
Cracker, an amazingly intelligent German Shepherd, knows more than 90 words and lives the life of royalty that she deserves. She has lived with Willie since she was about six months old, but before she is two, her life changes traumatically. Willie's father has been laid off, and the family needs to move to an apartment one that doesn't allow dogs. There are few options, and, according to the shelter, Cracker probably will be put down. Unable to locate a new fami...more
308 pages
Cynthia Kadohata
Cracker, an amazingly intelligent German Shepherd, knows more than 90 words and lives the life of royalty that she deserves. She has lived with Willie since she was about six months old, but before she is two, her life changes traumatically. Willie's father has been laid off, and the family needs to move to an apartment one that doesn't allow dogs. There are few options, and, according to the shelter, Cracker probably will be put down. Unable to locate a new fami...more
Nov 29, 2012
Emily Danielson
added it
Cracker! The Best Dog in Vietnam, by Cynthia Kadohata is an overall great book. In fact, it is one of my all-time favorite books. Cynthia Kadohata makes you so attached to the book so that you cry and laugh throughout the whole thing. Since it is a story of an animal at war, there are many emotional twists that will make you tear up. The book starts out with a boy named Willie who owns a German Shepard named Cracker. Willie and Cracker are best friends and Willie cannot imagine life without Crac...more
Here is a book about the best dog in Vietnam. This book is bases on a true story about a real dog that left to vietnam. If you don't like sad and suspenseful stories then this is not the book for you.
This story is about a regular dog(German Shepherd) that lived with a family. Willie ,who was Cracker's owner, were best friends. Then Willie and his family had to move to a different apartment that didn't allow dogs. So they sent to volunteer in the military. Willie didn't want her to go, but he le...more
This story is about a regular dog(German Shepherd) that lived with a family. Willie ,who was Cracker's owner, were best friends. Then Willie and his family had to move to a different apartment that didn't allow dogs. So they sent to volunteer in the military. Willie didn't want her to go, but he le...more
May 18, 2011
Mary
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
middle-school-books,
historical
People who like dog stories and enjoy relating to dogs as characters will be the best audience for this book. It is told in three points of view: Willie, a child in Chicago who has to give up his dog; Rick Hanski from Wisconsin, who becomes an army dog handler during the Vietnam War; and Cracker, the German Shepherd who goes from Willie's family pet to Rick's partner, trained to sniff out explosives, gun powder and enemy humans. Quite a bit of the story is devoted to the development of the relat...more
I read the book Cracker!: The Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthis Kaduhata. This books genre it fiction. Cracker! is about a kid named Willie who is forced to move into a new apartment building that doesn't allow dogs. Since the new building doesn't allow dogs he is forced to give up his dog Cracker. Willie could not find anyone who wanted Cracker so he had no other choice but to give it to the military for the Vietnam War. Before Cracker was actually sent into a battle he was sent to training and hi...more
Aug 24, 2010
Heidi
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Ages 10 and up
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
juv-fiction
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This book tells the story of a Vietnam War hero...well, two actually and one isn't human. It's told from two points of view. A young soldier named Rick Hanski and a German shepard named Cracker.
Rick was a small town man who was going to inherit his father's hardware store but that didn't interest him. Instead he enlisted in the military and ends up as a dog-handler but is paired up with the meanest dog in the division.
That would be Cracker who has a sad back-story. Originally an impressive show...more
Rick was a small town man who was going to inherit his father's hardware store but that didn't interest him. Instead he enlisted in the military and ends up as a dog-handler but is paired up with the meanest dog in the division.
That would be Cracker who has a sad back-story. Originally an impressive show...more
Cracker starts out life as a championship show dog, but then a broken leg sends her to twelve-year-old Willie and his family as a pet. But when Willie can’t keep her, she becomes a U. S. Army dog, assigned to newly-enlisted teenager, Rick Hanski. And there, they bond so tightly that they both end up surviving the horrors of the Vietnam War.
Mr. E (10) and I loved this book, although I think it was for very different reasons. It was a hard sell for me at first. The style it’s written in reminded m...more
Mr. E (10) and I loved this book, although I think it was for very different reasons. It was a hard sell for me at first. The style it’s written in reminded m...more
Cracker! is about a dog named cracker and her journey to become the best dog in Vietnam. she is accompanied by Rick her new dog handler in the Vietnam war. together they will sniff out booby traps and save entire company's of men throughout the treacherous jungle. then one day Rick and Cracker a seperated. then it is crackers mission to find her way back home to rick.
I enjoyed the book it was a great read about the bond between man and dog. the book also provides some bias insight on the Vietnam...more
I enjoyed the book it was a great read about the bond between man and dog. the book also provides some bias insight on the Vietnam...more
Okay I really didn't think this would be a book for me. I'm not a fan of animal stories, because authors make animals too human. I felt Kadohata kept true to an animal's nature, or as true as I can tell.
Rick is a small town boy who is the younger brother of an MIT math genious sister. He's not expected to do much in life but run the family owned hardware store. He has other plans. He joins the army at 17 and is trained as a dog handler. He is then shipped off to Vietnam.
Cracker is a German Shep...more
Rick is a small town boy who is the younger brother of an MIT math genious sister. He's not expected to do much in life but run the family owned hardware store. He has other plans. He joins the army at 17 and is trained as a dog handler. He is then shipped off to Vietnam.
Cracker is a German Shep...more
A saw a friend of mine have this book in his locker so I decided to pick it up. It is about a dog previously owned by two people that has been sent to Vietnam to help with the war. My favorite quote was "Rick gave Cracker a wiener. Cracker ate the wiener. Cracker liked it." I chose it because it shows how terrible the book's writing style is. it is too simple. I feel like the book was made for elementary school readers, however there are violent scenes such as where the dog rips open a Vietcong'...more
Good dog. Great book! Cracker! is an exciting story that will appeal to canine lovers of all ages. It’s also a good humane ed reading list choice for middle school-aged boys, who are so often reluctant readers.
Cracker the German shepherd must leaver her stateside family—and her beloved boy Willie--when the military puts out a call for trainable service dogs. Over the course of the book Cracker goes from a heartbroken and confused pup to a tough military scout dog, fiercely devoted to her handle...more
Cracker the German shepherd must leaver her stateside family—and her beloved boy Willie--when the military puts out a call for trainable service dogs. Over the course of the book Cracker goes from a heartbroken and confused pup to a tough military scout dog, fiercely devoted to her handle...more
The book cracker was very action packed. The author captured the setting of Vietnam and stuff around that time. You could tell that Cynthia knew a lot about the war and life in and around the war. The dog was German Sheppard, and his name was cracker, that’s a weird name for a dog in my opinion.
Cracker was a kind and respectful get to work kind of dog. One of his jobs was to help and remove injured soldiers in and off of the battlefield. Another one was his use of being an S.D. that stands for...more
More like a 3.5 stars. Cracker is used to the pampered life as a family dog, but that's about to change. Her owner is a young boy named Willie, but he has to give her up. So he sends her off to become a trained military scout dog in the Vietnam war. There, she is paired up with Rick Hanski. Rick wants to whip the world and prove to everybody that he is capable of serving in the army. While undergoing training, they slowly begin to trust each other - because if they don't then it could cost both...more
3 likes · like · see review
I cried a few time while reading this book about an intelligent dog taken from his young owner and sent to Vietnam. The story is based on true events and I was horrified to learn that the govt. considered these noble dogs as equipment and left them when we pulled out. These dogs detected hidden enemies, booby traps, and ammunition. They saved countless lives and then were left. There are actual pictures from Vietnam of dogs and their handlers. These pairs formed incredibly deep bonds and the men...more
Some spoilers - read with caution!
I really liked this story told by the Newbery Award winning author of Kira-Kira. In this novel, Rick Hanski trains to be a dog handler before going to Vietnam. Cracker is his dog, and Rick always calls him "the best dog in Vietnam." The story unfolds as Rick and Cracker develop a friendship and a bond that helps them to become one unit in the field. Cracker is a fast learner, and she saves many men's lives in Vietnam, including the life of Rick. As was customary...more
I really liked this story told by the Newbery Award winning author of Kira-Kira. In this novel, Rick Hanski trains to be a dog handler before going to Vietnam. Cracker is his dog, and Rick always calls him "the best dog in Vietnam." The story unfolds as Rick and Cracker develop a friendship and a bond that helps them to become one unit in the field. Cracker is a fast learner, and she saves many men's lives in Vietnam, including the life of Rick. As was customary...more
Cracker!: The Best Dog in Vietnam
Cynthia Kadohata
308 pages
Historical Fiction
A German shepherd trained to sniff out bombs, traps, and the enemy. The fate of entire platoons rests on her keen sense of smell. She's a big deal, and she likes it that way. Sometimes Cracker remembers when she was younger, and her previous owner would feed her hot dogs and let her sleep in his bed. That was nice, too.
Rick Hanski is headed to Vietnam. There, he's going to whip the world and prove to his family and his s...more
Cynthia Kadohata
308 pages
Historical Fiction
A German shepherd trained to sniff out bombs, traps, and the enemy. The fate of entire platoons rests on her keen sense of smell. She's a big deal, and she likes it that way. Sometimes Cracker remembers when she was younger, and her previous owner would feed her hot dogs and let her sleep in his bed. That was nice, too.
Rick Hanski is headed to Vietnam. There, he's going to whip the world and prove to his family and his s...more
Me personally I fell in love with this book ,I was heartbroken when the dog left for war its not my usual pick but I love this book . I think you will too .its heart warming ,sad and even make me wanna throw the book moments are so um how do I describe it I cat evan describe them . I love the story its a little sad okay maybe a lot sad but I can look past that . Mom always told me a book u can cry at moments that are sad, laugh at happy / funny moments and most of all a book u can relate to is t...more
the best most awsome most saspensful most eye-tearing book ever!!!!!
it's about this dog named cracker. she's a bit of a trouble maker, but is one of the smartest dogs out there. her boy willie and his parents are haveing a tought time because willie's dad just lost his job forceing the whole family to move to an apartment were they arn't aloud to have large dogs. being a full grown unusuly large germen sheperd, the land lord has given the family 1 month to get rid of her or be throw out of the a...more
it's about this dog named cracker. she's a bit of a trouble maker, but is one of the smartest dogs out there. her boy willie and his parents are haveing a tought time because willie's dad just lost his job forceing the whole family to move to an apartment were they arn't aloud to have large dogs. being a full grown unusuly large germen sheperd, the land lord has given the family 1 month to get rid of her or be throw out of the a...more
Braun was a German shepherd destined for greatness until a broken leg took her into the arms of a boy named Willie. Reminded of the owner's no-pet policy, the heartbroken boy answers a newspaper ad and Venus, now "Cracker," is accepted into a military canine unit to help soldiers sniff out booby traps in Vietnam. She and her handler, Rick Hanski, quickly bond and head to the front lines. Cracker and Rick's successful missions lead to more dangerous operations and they are ultimately separated du...more
Cracker – Best Dog in Vietnam…
Honestly, I felt blind sided when I read this. Another teacher told me this was a true story. I made the mistake to believe this person. I had no reason not to believe this teacher – I figured if she said it was true then it was true… no. The book is fabricated. I think it’s really disheartening to know that teachers don’t always fully understand a book before the hand it off to students. If you haven’t’ read the entire book, at least be honest about it. Kadoka actu...more
Honestly, I felt blind sided when I read this. Another teacher told me this was a true story. I made the mistake to believe this person. I had no reason not to believe this teacher – I figured if she said it was true then it was true… no. The book is fabricated. I think it’s really disheartening to know that teachers don’t always fully understand a book before the hand it off to students. If you haven’t’ read the entire book, at least be honest about it. Kadoka actu...more
Sep 23, 2010
Holly Vanco
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who likes a good book
Recommended to Holly by:
Audrey Cutlip and Ms. Adams
Shelves:
dogs
Cracker Book Review
Cracker was a wonderful book by Cynthia Kadohata about a German Shepherd and her handler Rick Hanski. I would say on a scale of 1 to 10, I would give this book a 9. I would give it a 9 because although it was really good I didn’t like it when the dogs either died or got sent away. I think this book is great for people of all ages who like animals or war stories. When I started this book I couldn’t stop reading it. At night when I was reading it I would keep telling myself one...more
Cracker was a wonderful book by Cynthia Kadohata about a German Shepherd and her handler Rick Hanski. I would say on a scale of 1 to 10, I would give this book a 9. I would give it a 9 because although it was really good I didn’t like it when the dogs either died or got sent away. I think this book is great for people of all ages who like animals or war stories. When I started this book I couldn’t stop reading it. At night when I was reading it I would keep telling myself one...more
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Cynthia Kadohata is a Japanese American writer known for writing coming of age stories about Asian American women.
She spent her early childhood in the South; both her first adult novel and first children's novel take place in Southern states. Her first adult novel was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
Her first children's book, Kira-Kira, won the 2005 Newbery Medal. Her first published s...more
More about Cynthia Kadohata...
She spent her early childhood in the South; both her first adult novel and first children's novel take place in Southern states. Her first adult novel was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
Her first children's book, Kira-Kira, won the 2005 Newbery Medal. Her first published s...more
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Aug 06, 2011 11:53am
Aug 09, 2011 09:39pm