book data
1,220 ratings,
3.75
average rating, 128 reviews
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published
December 18th 1995
by Laurel Leaf
(first published 1960)
details
Mass Market Paperback, 160 pages
literary awards
William Allen White Children's Book Award (Kansas) (1964), Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice (1964), Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award (1963)
isbn
0440226708
(isbn13: 9780440226703)
description
Instinct told them that the way home lay to the west. And so the doughty young Labrador retriever, the roguish bull terrier and the indomitable Siames…more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 1,540)
All ratings
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5 stars (319)
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4 stars (423)
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3 stars (361)
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2 stars (94)
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1 star (23)
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avg 3.75
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in February, 2008
Many of you probably saw the movie, but I would have to say (of course) that the book is better.
At first my kids were disappointed that there actually is NOT any dialogue between the pets as they travel. However, I was happy for them to experience a different sort of story. Often their own stories are filled with too much dialogue or too much description, and is rather short on story. This book should give them an idea about how things can be written.
I love this book b...more
At first my kids were disappointed that there actually is NOT any dialogue between the pets as they travel. However, I was happy for them to experience a different sort of story. Often their own stories are filled with too much dialogue or too much description, and is rather short on story. This book should give them an idea about how things can be written.
I love this book b...more
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2 comments
Read in January, 1985
I read this book probably 20 times when I was growing up...definitely one of my top all-time favorites. I loved animals, and for a long time wanted to be a veterinarian. I think I loved this book because of the combination of seeing from the animal's point of view, and the excitement of the adventure, and how realistic the writing was. A recommended read to anyone! And much better than the Disney adapted movie!
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Read in January, 1974
Gee, now I am questioning my memory. Was it "The Wonderful World of Disney" that I first saw the Incredible Journey? I'm sure, like many others, I share the memory: Mid 1960's, Sunday evening, 6 o'clock, Mr. Disney himself did the introductions. "When you wish upon a star.. makes no difference who you are...." Looking back I was so thrilled to watch Walt Disney when it was an animal story. I was never a fan of Mickey Mouse or anything animated. Wherever I initially saw this p...more
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Read in December, 2008
It was amazing. I learned that love will lead you home!
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1 comment
Read in February, 2010
I was six years old when the remake of The Incredible Journey, Homeward Bound, came out. I loved it, even if the portrayal of Shadow always managed to make me sad. (So old and devoted and wise... I still remember the end, when he comes home, and... okay, okay, I'll stop...)
This book is very different from the movie. There's still two dogs and a cat, but their personalities are different and the reason for their journey has also changed. This book is very calmly paced. I won't say it'...more
This book is very different from the movie. There's still two dogs and a cat, but their personalities are different and the reason for their journey has also changed. This book is very calmly paced. I won't say it'...more
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6 comments
Read in March, 2009
The story paces slowly, something I felt I couldn't bear at first. But as more chapters are read, the better it gets. Sheila Burnford successfully creates the logic of an incredible story, how a Siamese cat can befriend an old terrier and a young Labrador so much that they are inseparable companions in such a long journey. For the soft-hearted it can make your eyes teary to read the closing chapter, but I found that I'm not that soft :-) Oh, but I learn quite some things about Siamese cat, terri...more
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bookshelves:
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animals,
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fiction,
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library-books,
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Read in June, 2009
The Incredible Journey is the captivating story of three family pets and their dangerous journey home through the Canadian wilderness. This was really an emotional story for me. I am a born animal lover, and the trials that this intrepid trio suffered, along with their intense bravery and devotion to their owners, brought tears to my eyes more than once.
The Incredible Journey is a wonderfully entertaining story of love, loyalty, and perseverance. Full of adventure and excitement, it...more
The Incredible Journey is a wonderfully entertaining story of love, loyalty, and perseverance. Full of adventure and excitement, it...more
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Read in December, 1990
I have no idea when I read this book--it could have taken me as long as college to have gotten to it, but I did love it. And, in fact, would love to reread it, now that I have a cat, because I did not like cats much when I read it. That I know for a fact. And now that I have one and appreciate its intelligence, I think it would be interesting to read it with a new and less prejudiced perspective.
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Read in August, 2006
recommends it for:
Jen
Another children's book it's hard to believe that I missed as a youngster. Boy, to read these posts, you'd think I hadn't opened a book until 2005! Sheila Burnford's story of a young Labrador retriever, a older bull terrier, and an aloof Siamese cat speaks to a broad audience. Enjoyable by children and adults too! This book is especially great to read if a child's just read Where the Red Fern Grows or Old Yeller. Definitely an uplifting animal story. Not as complicated to read as Call of the Wil...more
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Read in September, 2008
This book is the original for the movie Homeward Bound. I rated it a four because the middle gets kind of dull in some parts. I liked the ending though, it was very sentimental.
The Hunter's have two dogs and a cat, but when their dad gets a job in England for nine months, they can't take their dogs and cat with them, so they leave them with their friend John Longridge. Just a month before the Hunter's get back, John takes a trip and leaves the dogs and cat there. The younger dog deci...more
The Hunter's have two dogs and a cat, but when their dad gets a job in England for nine months, they can't take their dogs and cat with them, so they leave them with their friend John Longridge. Just a month before the Hunter's get back, John takes a trip and leaves the dogs and cat there. The younger dog deci...more
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Read in January, 2006
It's an incredible story (fits with the title! :]) about a Labrador Retriever, a Bull Terrier, and a Siamese cat trying to find their way back home. I didn't think I would like it, but it really held my attention as these animals struggled in the wilderness. I'm glad I have my own copy so I could reread it whenever I wanted to. A good heart-warming story.
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recommended to Kim by:
Emily
Sweet story about three lost pets who endure obstacle after obstacle on their journey home to their family. This book was very enjoyable, although I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I hadn't already seen and loved the movie that was based on it, "Homeward Bound". The movie is one of my favorites and gave me false expectations before beginning the book.
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Read in July, 2009
I enjoyed re-reading this book with my children. It was different than I remembered (I remembered the animals talking - a few chapters in my kids asked me when the animals were going to start talking and I had to admit I'd gotten it wrong =-) ). But it was a fun and sweet book to read together.
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Read in May, 2009
Intersting and realistic story about animals finding their way home through a detailed and descriptive journey. The author captures the readers showing a realistic and logic veiw of how animals would travel along with detailed pictures to better give an image to the reader.
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Oh my gosh, this book was soo boring I did not like it. The animals are set to take a trip with their owner and end up separating from him. Now it is a mission to get back home but on their way home they encounter several other animals and get into fights (boring).
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Feb 22, 2009
Noelle
is currently reading it
Read in February, 2009
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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I had to read this for school. I didn't like this book at all. It was all about how animals were lost in the wilderness and how men and beast alike made their hardships worse. It was very sad. The only reason I read it was because it was assigned.
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Read in September, 2009
There are few books that I have read that have given me goosebumps and tears at the end. And it's crazy that a book about two dogs and a cat would give me that response. I really enjoyed this book and my boys loved it. Aside from some larger words here and there (length and meaning)it was a fun and fantastic read. I have only seen the movie once and it was a very long time ago. I believe the book is much, much better.
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Read in January, 1986
This book was one of my favorites growing up. I'm a sucker for animals, and I didn't have any pets (didn't have mammals until I was 25!). I had a soft spot for these guys - and the cat looks remarkably like my fuzzball, Fizzgig.
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Sep 28, 2009
GiGi
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Read in April, 2007
recommended to GiGi by:
Pvmomrecommends it for: people who love animals
I read the movie before I read the book but it was good all the same. It was so sad when Peter was looking for his dog but he didn't come for a while. I wonder why, did the other cat and dog ditch him?
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