The Incredible Journey

by Sheila Burnford
The Incredible Journey
book data
1,220 ratings, 3.75 average rating, 128 reviews (more data...)
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published
December 18th 1995 by Laurel Leaf (first published 1960)

details
Mass Market Paperback, 160 pages

literary awards

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)

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April
Jan 27, 2008
April rated it: 4 of 5 stars

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
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Katie
Jan 19, 2008
Katie rated it: 5 of 5 stars

bookshelves: all-time-favs
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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Elhara
Jul 23, 2009
Elhara rated it: 5 of 5 stars

bookshelves: forever-cherished, to-read
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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Zoe
Dec 03, 2008
Zoe rated it: 5 of 5 stars

Read in December, 2008
It was amazing. I learned that love will lead you home!
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Megan
Feb 08, 2010
Megan rated it: 4 of 5 stars

bookshelves: 2010, ajpl, fiction, love, young-audience
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
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Ellenkristi
Apr 02, 2009
Ellenkristi rated it: 4 of 5 stars (review of isbn 0385322798)

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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Susan Evans
May 26, 2009
Susan Evans rated it: 3 of 5 stars

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
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Bonnie
Dec 30, 2008
Bonnie rated it: 5 of 5 stars

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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Ellee
Jan 14, 2008
Ellee rated it: 3 of 5 stars (review of isbn 0385322798)

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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Martha
Sep 28, 2008
Martha rated it: 3 of 5 stars

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
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Mounica
Aug 23, 2009
Mounica rated it: 4 of 5 stars

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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Kim
Jun 28, 2009
Kim rated it: 3 of 5 stars

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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Ashlie
Aug 04, 2009
Ashlie rated it: 4 of 5 stars

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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Francis Espino
Jun 05, 2009
Francis Espino rated it: 3 of 5 stars

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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Alejandra Ruiz
Jun 06, 2009
Alejandra Ruiz rated it: 2 of 5 stars

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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Noelle
Feb 22, 2009
Noelle is currently reading it

bookshelves: currently-reading
Read in February, 2009
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Whitney
Jan 22, 2010
Whitney rated it: 1 of 5 stars

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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Jileen
Aug 18, 2009
Jileen rated it: 4 of 5 stars

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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CR
Mar 11, 2009
CR rated it: 5 of 5 stars

bookshelves: young-adult
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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GiGi
Sep 28, 2009
GiGi added it

bookshelves: adventure, animals
Read in April, 2007
recommended to GiGi by: Pvmom
recommends 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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The Incredible Journey (Hardcover)
The Incredible Journey (Paperback)
The Incredible Journey (Penguin Readers)
The Incredible Journey (Paperback)
The Incredible Journey (Mass Market Paperback)






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groups with this book

Scarlett’s Page Turners
Animals in Fiction
WOLVES