Whippoorwill

by Joseph Monninger

Sixteen-year-old Clair Taylor’s neighbors are what locals call whippoorwills, the kind of people who fill their yards with rusted car parts and old broken furniture. Clair tries to ignore the ugly junk, choosing instead to dream of a future beyond her rural New Hampshire town. But when a black dog named Wally is chained up to a pole in the yard next door, Clair can’t look the other way. Because Wally isn’t just another piece of trash.

Clair takes it upon herself to save Wally, and the immediate connection she has with the lovable dog catches her off-guard. Even more surprising is her developing relationship with eighteen-year-old Danny Stewart, a boy trying to escape the violent storm cloud that hangs over his family.

Over the course of one fateful spring in rural New Hampshire, two teenagers will ask: Doesn’t everyone—and every dog—deserve a chance at happiness?

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Animals, Fiction, Dogs, Abuse, Teen

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Joseph Monninger was an American writer and Professor of English at Plymouth State University. He lived in Warren, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Tim Weed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. And by “great” I don’t mean “pretty good.” I mean classic, soulful, capacious enough to contain real evil and real love. It reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird, or maybe something by Steinbeck. Because the protagonist is in her teens it’s being marketed as “young adult,” but it will be of interest to discriminating readers of any age who like a well told, beautifully written story.

Better than any other writer I know, Monninger understands dogs, and he understands people. He sees what the two species have in common, and he sees what they don’t. In Whippoorwill, he has accomplished that most difficult of authorial feats, what Tolstoy called “infectiousness”: the ability of the writer to transmit his own emotions to others by way of individuality, clarity of vision, and an unswerving allegiance to truth. There are so many beautiful and mysterious moments in this book, moments when I found myself laughing out loud and on the edge of tears, sometimes both at once. I’ve long enjoyed Monninger’s writing, but it just seems to keep getting better. I suspect that Whippoorwill may mark a new plateau in his artistic development.

This is a wise, magical, unforgettable novel. It’s not very long, so it will only take you a few days to read. Whether or not you’ve been lucky enough to read Monninger’s previous books, do yourself a favor and go out and buy this one – for yourself, for your loved ones, and for anyone you know who appreciates good dogs or good reading.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a dog lover, you have to pick this up. While I didn't think this book was perfect I think it's a very important book for teens to read. The intention with this book is great and I felt like the dog aspect of the story was told rather perfectly.

I have no doubt that Joseph Monninger knows his stuff when it comes to dogs. I work in dog rescue, and I have personally dealt with several dogs who were rescued from life on a chain. They always have the saddest eyes, and nothing is more rewarding than showing love to a dog like that and breathing life back into him or her. So yes, I'm very happy that someone wrote a rather good young adult book about this.

The writing in this book was pretty great! It's very easy to read and won't take you long to push through. I found a lot of parts to be extremely quotable (I wish I'd stopped to grab some, but it was just so easy to fly through!). There were also a lot of great training tips sprinkled here and there.

My only problem was the characters. To me, Clair seemed like more of a middle school aged girl than someone sixteen or seventeen. She seemed rather immature in her narrative style, and I had some trouble understanding her rather gloomy thought process. The romance wasn't the worst, but it kind of bothered me that the love interest is the guy who kept the dog chained in his own feces and lying on ice 24/7...

But, damn, that climax was intense. I did not think this book was going in that direction at all, though I rather enjoyed the element of suspense it added. Anyway, I'll definitely be recommending this book to any animal lovers I know, as well as non-animal lovers, actually, they probably need to read this even more.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! Extremely well written and plotted perfectly. I can't explain how happy it made me to feel like the characters here actually behaved like bona fide human beings! *shocker* This is a great dog story that evokes smiles, laughter, tears, and of course, nostalgia for your own four-footed pal. The canine wisdom woven into this novel is notable stuff and as neatly as it nestled into the story, I think it has changed the way I see and think of dog/human interactions and I expect it will affect how I treat my beloved doggie when I see her soon. Such a great read. I'm sure many a dog lover will be pulled in by those sweet sad eyes on the cover, I was one of them, and I know that they will not be disappointed.

Update: Have you seen the paperback cover?

[Denise Westlake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entirely wonderful, every single page! And btw, it's about a dog, not a bird... and a girl and her dad.. a boy with a broken, nasty father... and that sweet, sweetheart good dog, Wally.

"It's obvious, but worth saying: a boy can be a dog. Anyone can be a dog. You get what you put into a person, the same way you get what you put into a dog. You fill a dog with hate and that's what you get back (201).

A dog is part of heaven..a dog will (keep you whole and) lead you to heaven if you let it (227). ...all creatures will go away from pain and go to pleasure. Dogs do it and so do humans. .it's something you need to remember (258).

It's a terrible thing to see someone be unkind to a pet or any animal. .there's a victim on each side of the beating." (271)

[Julia Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! From the first page to the last I was charmed and engaged. This is a beautifully tale
crafted by a master story teller. I can't wait for the next one Mr. Monninger!

[Ellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 out of 5 Stars

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having recently finished the previously published “Whipporrwill” by Joseph Monninger, I am happy to have had the chance for the Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy; thank you NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group, Clarion Books!

Clair and Wally and the boy next door. This was a compassionate and entertaining story about new friendships; of the two-legged and furry four-legged kind. I enjoyed the connection and uncertainty as Clair and Danny learned how to care for Wally. The dog training advice from Father Jasper's guide book they used was full of wisdom for anyone trying to understand and help our canine friends!

[S.E. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

No, no, I did not need this many emotions today.

I picked up this book thinking nothing of it: not expecting it to affect me the way it did. Now I am amazingly glad I read this amazing book. I’m still emotional over how it ended. There were tears.

Whippoorwill is a term for people who hang onto their junk - just like Clair’s neighbors, the Stewards, whose yard is crammed full of trash. One really shouldn’t be called junk, though, even if he’s treated as such: Wally, the labrador/great dane mutt who wants nothing more than to play. Clair has decided to take action: she’s going to treat the dog right, save Wally. But she didn’t expect Danny, the boy-next-door, to be something different.

What struck me immediately was how realistic and honest this novel felt. It was amazing how quickly I was drawn into Clair’s story, connecting with her. She’s a relatable young woman, smart, caring, but not an idiot. She doesn’t throw herself into rash actions.

The relationship with Danny is also something incredibly real. You don’t have the usual tropes you see in novels these days, no grand immediate crush, but a slow, growing connection that blossoms from a genuine respect for each other. And as some of Danny’s actions seem odd, Clair is quick to notice them as well, and the ending wraps them up well.

The ending was both perfect and horrible - horrible in the way it left me inside. I have so many questions! I want to know what happens to them all next, and I felt such a loss as Clair - well I’m not going to spoil that for you.

Whippoorwill will leave you emotionally in need of ice cream for the soul. It comes out September 1st.
Full review here - http://readcommendations.com/2015/08/...

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew when I got this book that it would make me cry, and it did. I know it’s a fictional story with a fictional dog and fictional abuse, but it felt real. I think it’s because the abuse to this animal in the story happens every day out in the real world. This and worse, and it really upsets me. The upside is that because it’s a fictional story I figured that would be a good ending – there was, and this was the part that made me cry.

This isn’t just a story about an abused dog.
It’s about a boy in an abusive home, who starts to take care of the dog to impress a girl, who then starts to think that things could be better for him too.
It’s about a girl who learns that no one really knows what goes on behind closed doors. There are evil people in this world but there are others who seem that way at first but if given a chance can be good.

I hate to call it a feel-good story because things didn’t end well for everyone, but I was happy when I finished it…even though it made me cry.

[Audrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book through Goodreads Giveaways.

This was a really sweet book. I kind of wanted to give it 3 stars but it just wasn't there for me. A cute story with a pretty dull main character, a really annoying best friend who served no purpose, an awful love interest, and a puppy that made the book worth reading.

Wally made the book for me - I really only cared about what happened to him. I could tell from the start Danny was blah, and I knew Clair would end up... fine. Because she is fine and her life is fine and everything is fine. Very dull and bland and emotionless and... fine. So I just didn't care about the people in the story. I cared about the puppy.

[Beverly Griffith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dog's love is the merciful acceptance he hoped to receive from God.
I never noticed dogs before at lest not in this way. Whether it was good or bad or fair to the dog..... Leave your people world for a second and see what it means to be a dog on a chain, in the back of the yard, in the rain, by yourself day after day. Empathy counts for a dog as much as it counts for a person. This book was a quick read, insightful and heartfelt. Doesn't everyone and everything deserve a second chance?

[Ashly Lynne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this book up at the Library because Goodreads kept recommending it to me. I checked out the ratings and they were phenomenal. Plus I love dogs, so I figured why not read this book? But, regardless of all the places it was cropping up, I had the strangest feeling that I should avoid it. I actually flip flopped the entire time I was at the Library debating if I should check it out or not.

I shouldn’t have.

This is the story of a dog, Wally, but it is the story of much more than a dog. This is the story of Clair – her relationship with her father, her relationship with Wally, and her relationship with the neighbor boy, Danny. Clair finds love in more than one place, but what happens when the boy she never liked but who she is all the sudden crushing on asks her to run away with him? What is he running away from? Is it just to get away from his abusive father, or is Danny running from something much, much worse?

I was really thinking I would like this book. However, I found it to be a chore to read and didn’t find much value. I don’t even know where to start with my complaints. There. Are. So. Many.

I guess I’ll start with the characters. Oh my goodness. The characters were so bland. I literally can not tell you a single thing about Clair except that she thinks she a boring, inconsequential, bland character. Which she is. I don’t have a clue what she’s interested in. I don’t know what she likes doing. She complains about her best friend all the time but then praises her at the end of all her complaining. She takes care of her dad (apparently, that’s what she says anyway). She describes in detail how much she resents and dislikes Danny and says that he’s always been that way since they were kids and then the next moment she’s dating him.

Then there’s her dad, and the only thing I can tell you about him is that he thinks he’s cool because he’s in a motorcycle gang but he’s actually not cool at all. Oh, and he can’t cook. That’s literally it. And like, he’s been raising his daughter for years, but he can’t cook for her? I find that very unbelievable. Overall He was super unlikable, versus cute and adorable like the narrator was trying to write him to

Then, finally Danny. Clair makes him out to be this awful and mean bully. She says he’s always been mean to her since she was a little girl. But, then she talks to him once and he’s literally the nicest guy in the entire world. Um, alright-y then.

So anyway, enough about the characters. On with the storyline. But, unfortunately, the storyline isn’t much more developed than the characters. I found most of what was happening boring and uneventful in a way that did not motivate me at all to keep reading. The only reason I actually finished this book was because it was short and the print was big. That’s it. I honestly had no interest in or connection to what actually happened at the end. That’s how little I cared about these characters and their story.

Overall, I found everything mostly unrealistic, especially in the way the topics are handled. Monninger appears to be trying to tell a heartfelt story, but has literally zero knowledge on how basically anything works.

One other aspect that really bothered me was that Clair checks this book out from the Library that a priest wrote on how to train dogs. She reads the entire book, multiple times (to the point of memorization) before she even considers taking Wally into her life. That just seems a bit unrealistic for a teenage girl.

If Monninger wanted to write a manual on how to train dogs, he should have written a manual on how to train dogs.

Also, when they start training Wally, an adult dog who’s been abused, malnourished, kept outside, and never properly trained all his life, he picks up on everything right away. Like, this dog goes from most misbehaved dog ever to perfect angel in about 5 pages. There’s no way that would happen in an adult dog that was faced with so much abuse. And it definitely wouldn’t happen that quickly.

And, as long as I’m complaining about this. A fair amount of time goes by and Clair still has the Library book. Then, she lends the Library book to Danny. It’s a stupid nit picky thing, but I wouldn’t do that with a Library book that you’re responsible for. Plus, it just doesn’t add up. She says she checks it out from the Library but then acts like it’s her book. Clair also says she’d read it multiple times, to the point of memorization, and recites passages word for word. Whatever, I just can’t with this book.

Last thing, I swear. That ending was so stupid. I hated everything about it. Plus, it made, once again, zero logical sense. Monninger just needed to not write this book, in all honesty. It wasn’t worth it.

Okay, this is the last thing, I double swear. There was some pretty blatant sexism in here that is pointed out but then accepted. Like, Clair recognizes on more than one occasional that either her father, Danny, or both are being sexist, and she’s like oh that’s fine; it’s cute. Um, it’s really not and that makes me uncomfortable that teens have another book telling them that sexism is normal and cute.

I’m done now. I’m done complaining. I really needed to get all that off my chest, though. I really wish I hadn’t read this book. It just irritated me, and I got nothing out of the experience.

I absolutely DO NOT recommend this book to anyone. It was mediocre (that’s a compliment), and had so many issues. Do yourself a favor and don’t pick this one up. It’s not worth it. I have no clue how this has a 4.02/5 star rating on Goodreads. Seriously? How?

Review originally published on my Wordpress blog Dreaming Through Literature.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Shiloh-but-YA offering is definitely a feels-jerker. It's a great mild (ish) novel of caring, friendship, trust, and first relationships. It's also great for dog loving teens not quite ready for Paul Griffin's STAY WITH ME (there's only kissing).

The opening abuse of the dog, Wally, is difficult to read, and the turn-around of his owner, Danny, to caring dog owner (once the main character, Clair, takes an interest) is a little obvious and forced on his part. But Monninger owns this, Clair often feeling uncomfortable with Danny's stalk-y nature, and slight attempts to control her and Wally.

I also loved the main character's father and his role in the book - especially at the end.

The dog training book theme throughout was really well done and, though written by a pastor, not obviously or overtly religious.

I'm definitely planning on buying this for my library and using it in a end-of-year 5th grade societal issues booktalk (once I check the ages reviewed for).

[SPOILER]



I did not expect the ending. Danny killing his father with a car battery -- WOW -- but it was fitting, and I'm not sure how else the story could have ended. Clair's choice to leave Wally with the pastor after visiting him in Main was heartbreaking, but because the reader knows that leaving Wally with the pastor was her only choice; she and her father couldn't have kept him themselves properly on their own.

[Briana White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC via NetGallery.

Tears were streaming down my face as I stayed up late last night to finish "Whippoorwill." The cover and description is what drew me in, and the story is what pulls it all together to make it one beautifully crafted novel. I often found myself throughout the novel stopping to go give my black lab, Titus a big ole' hug because of all the heartwarming feels.

Any dog/animal lover will find an immediate connection with the black lab, Wally and all of the great bits of wisdom shared. I loved all the metaphors between dogs/human nature. What makes this story so great is it is not just about Wally. Monniger has well-crafted characters that all have imperfections. I never found myself tired or annoyed with any of the characters, they seemed like real people with real problems.

I would rate this 4.5 if it gave me the choice because I wanted a little more closure with Clair and Danny, I felt that their story wasn't complete.

This is a story about unconditional love and the power it has. As an educator I could see this as a great read for book club, and would definitely recommend it to anyone.

[M Eubank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teenager Clair lives next to a house with junk all over the yard. One day, a dog on a chain joins all the junk. and Clair can't stop thinking about the neglected dog, which she can see and hear out her window. She eventually asks if she can walk the dog, and begins trying to train him. Her next door neighbor, who is around her age, gets involved in training the dog as well, and the three form a bond. Themes of abuse, neglect, and parental issues are woven throughout as the three characters struggle to find their place in the world and fall deeply in love with an old, mangy dog named Wally, who teaches them about life and unconditional love. If you are a dog person, you will love this book. If you are not a dog person, you will be a dog person after you read this book. It's clear that the author knows and understands dogs, and the power that loving a non-judgmental being can have on a lost soul. Trigger warnings for domestic abuse, animal abuse, and incarceration. Read with tissues close by, but please, please read. Beautiful!

[Terri Robinette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A teenage girl, quiet and unassuming, confused about her role in the world, reads a book that will change the pattern of her life. A book about dog obedience. Strange book for a young lady without a dog. But the book encourages her to pay more attention to the neighbor's dog which in turn, brings attention from the neighbor. A boy that she has known without really knowing. Now their lives are interwoven through Wally, the yard dog. She sees traits in the neighbor that mirror the dog. A need for love and a need for attention. She slowly begins to give him love and attention only to have life circumstances intrude on the unlikely trio. The story is unusual but intriguing. A must read. It slowly unfolds to reveal that life isnt always fair but always worth living.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual I'm going to start off with the cover of this book. It did not mislead, it was not complicated, it was true to the story. In fact, I think it added to the story because the description of the dog matched this one to a T.

I gave this book 5 stars because it was realistic. There was inner turmoil in the main characters, real life situations, confusion and tragedy. There were things in this book that you could learn and live by. This book shocked, amazed, and caused emotions of happiness and sadness for me. By the end of it I was in tears.

Job well done! I would recommend this book to people.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dog brings a boy and girl together. A beautifully crafted novel, thoughtful, poignant, and compassionate.

[Dianna Winget · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not giving this book three stars because it wasn’t a good story or well written, but simply because it had a little too much sadness for me. I don’t read much YA, preferring either MG or adult and I guess in a way this book reminded me why. Fortunately, things ended well for the dog. But the book itself didn’t end the way I’d hoped, and like I said, just too much sadness. I’m sure many others would feel differently, so don’t be afraid to give it a try.

[Susan C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! There are no words except “if you love dogs - read it - you won’t be sorry”. Thank you to Joseph Monninger for writing this story!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, boy, what a good book. Loved it.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know that the world can be an unkind, unjust place, but sometimes I really just want a book that shows us hope and the possibility of good overcoming evil. Most novels about dogs show the nobility of the animal over the cruelty of humans—and the power of transformation that comes from unconditional love bestowed upon us by our dogs. Whippoorhill goes beyond this and avoids falling into implausible, sappy plotlines or manipulative, tear-jerking moments. It is bittersweet and left me with mixed emotions of relief, sadness, and anger. Instead of focusing on a good versus evil narrative, the novel embraces the grey area in between and the results of negligence and inaction versus kindness. It was moving to see the cast of misfit characters bond over the hope of making a better life for Wally, the once neglected and abused dog. The acts of mercy and kindness towards one another and towards Wally are uplifting, suggesting a promising future that just might be out of their grasp after all.
Everyone knows that Danny’s father, Elwood, is violent, but there is no evidence that any adult ever tries to protect Danny from the abuse. Danny mentions a shop teacher who takes the time to nurture Danny’s interest and skills in cars. Though this may only be a small act of kindness, it no doubt left a major impact on Danny’s life as gave him a refuge from his difficult family life. Danny seeks a way to belong—to see other possibilities than a life of cruelty. Danny is searching for affection and attention. Clair, the novel’s protagonist, becomes a catalyst for change in the lives of Danny and Wally, when she seeks to offer the dog some comfort. Clair is complex character dealing with her own pain and disappointment. She is cautious and sometimes ambivalent of her developing relationship with Danny. While she does show several acts of bravery, she is also capable of inaction when others need her. Although Danny’s ultimate fate is left undetermined by the end of the book, the situation is saddening. His community acknowledges that the situation led him to snap, but the fear of Elwood gives the community an excuse not to become more involved. Although this may be understandable as families will protect their own interests, you can’t help but long for a hero who will help him rise above the conditions. Maybe it will be his caseworker, or maybe it will be Clair, but even the latter seems cautious about how to proceed with the friendship. In the end, Danny’s needs are probably more than anyone person can provide. He may prevail; however it is a tragedy that he was left unsupported for too long.
Wally’s fate seals a fitting and satisfying end to the novel, though it may make you cry nonetheless.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always been a sucker for a book that features a dog on its cover and this adorable lab certainly fits into that category. It's a Young Adult novel set in New Hampshire. Narrator Clair has recently lost her mother and when her "whippoorwill" neighbors acquire a dog, Clair's empathy causes her to read up on dogs in the guide of a priest who loves dogs and aims to experience the world through their eyes. Clair's attention to the Wally leads her to spend more time with her teenage neighbor, Danny, and the two grow close in their shared training of the dog.

As a young adult novel, with a female point of view, the perspective is not always convincing - I wish that Monninger had included Danny's viewpoint, because I think it would have been more authentic. Though the extended metaphor of Father Jasper's wisdom works well for both Wally and Danny - though as a narrator, Clair feels a bit removed. But, overall, it's a fast-paced and sweet read and perfect for a dog lover of almost any age (luckily the teen romance doesn't feel overly sappy or nauseating). The underlying message is strong and is laid with a solid foundation. The ending, though, is downright heartbreaking and all together too abrupt, and just not satisfying. There's no real sense of closure for any of the characters at all. The ending really lets the book down and what started up with a much higher rating from me, ends squarely in the middle because it is so unfinished feeling. It lets down the other messages and makes it so that it seems like little more than an extended argument for prong collars and giving the other side of town a chance!

[bjneary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a dog lover and I love to read any kind of book about dogs and as much as I loved this book, this book just really makes me sad. Clair lives next door to a very dysfunctional family (now only father and son) whom she characterizes as whippoorwills- they have lots of junk in their yard. But far more harsh is Wally, a black lab tied to a pole, left outside, and mistreated. As Clair tries to ignore his circumstances and pitiful whining, she becomes Wally's hero and with the help of Danny Stewart next door, begins to train Wally according to a book written by a dog whisperer, Father Jasper. But life gets in the way with Danny's sadistic father (who made his wife go crazy)and Clair is also confused about her feelings for Danny. I rooted for Clair, Danny and Wally. Their happy moments in training Wally were so important in defining the kind of caring pet owners they were but things will not be so easy in life for Danny and Wally. The harsh realities in this book reminded me of Gary D. Schmidt's Orbiting Jupiter - life can be so darned hard, you ache for Clair, Danny and Wally and hope against hope for a redemptive ending. Once again, I have to call this book a crossover book - all adults should read this too. Highly recommended.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a winner! Any reader who likes dogs and animals is going to love reading this story. While there is much within the story to cause one to feel sad, there is so much hope and love. Clair Taylor is sixteen and lives in rural New Hampshire in an area where folks fill their yards with junk; locals refer to such people as Whippoorwills. And yes, Clair would consider herself to be a Whippoorwill as is her neighbor, Danny. Clair has not been friends with Danny, who is eighteen, but has been friendly. Then a big black dog appears and Clair's and Danny's and even the dog's lives are changed forever.

This is a story that will stay with the reader for days. Very powerful. And from this reader's point of view, the story is not done! I want to read more about Clair, Danny and the dog, Wally.

I received ARC from NetGalley

[Mark Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My apologies for not including the fact that I won this ARC copy from Good Reads!

I loved the book from the start. Claire and Danny are believable teens whose lives become
entangled over a neglected dog. As they train Wally together, there is a growing affection
between the two. Is it love? It doesn't really matter. It is a very realistic look at the confusion of a growing attraction between two people. Just as things seem to be moving forward in their relationship, an unfortunate reality intrudes. The characters and settings are realistically portrayed in such a way as to make the mundane seem magical and gives romance to the realism of everyday life. It reminds me a lot of Tabitha King's Nodd's Ridge books. The book has a bittersweet ending that stays with you. I highly recommend this book.

[Rachel Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I started reading it yesterday, choosing it to start next because it was National Dog Day, and it seemed appropriate for the day. The story and the writing were simple and charming. The characters were very authentic and experiencing realistic issues. This was just an unassuming book that ended up being quite special. I was especially charmed by the sweet dog in the story, Wally, and the sweet dog on the cover matches the dog my mind would have seen on its own (nice job on that!). This is a quick read but filled with heart, and I recommend it, especially to dog lovers.

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

A one star maybe.
I Couldn't finish this. It's the first book I ever DNFd. The idea was good. A girl sees a mistreated dog and saves it. They grow close. But the the training and stuff in this book was the worst. It was like the author watch half an episode of the dog whisper once and thinks he knows all about dogs and how to work with them. And worse yet he's using the worst trainer to learn. Caesar sucks. The author has the lead character use backwards methods and references ideas about canines and their languages that have been disproven by science. I just couldn't get past it to even enjoy the heart of the book. For those who dont know. Positive reinforcement is the best method. Kindness is powerful. I would definitely not recommend this book.

[Morgan Humes · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I bent down and hugged Wally. I held him a long time. I whispered in his ear that he was the best boy, a good boy, my Gold Moon”. Joseph Monninger’s novel Whippoorwill captivated me with his fantastic story line, that had me flipping page after page. Clair and Danny’s perplexing relationship allows for Wally, a dog in need, to become the best he could ever be. I personally really enjoyed the book, however, I thought from the beginning that it would be about saving a dog, but it had turned out to be more about a relationship. Regardless, I still enjoyed the book.

After completing the book “Whippoorwill”, I have noticed an overall theme, that will help people learn a valuable life lesson. The theme do not take life for granted, for that you will know how fast your life could be taken from you was present throughout the entire novel. I believe that this is such an important lesson to learn because every day people take even the littlest things for granted. I have to admit that I am guilty of taking things for granted as well, but I am trying to work on that as much as possible. We all need to know how valuable life and its contents are. Dogs live such short lives that it is not fair to them to be so incredibly mistreated. I believe they were put on our Earth to know who to love, whereas us humans, have to search for love, thus living longer than our lovable pets. To add onto this, Clair and Danny’s relationship took a drastic turn that lead Clair wishing she was more grateful. We can see in this novel and in our society today that not appreciating even the tiniest things in life will fill your life with regret, which could lead you into a deep depression.

Joseph Monninger chose a unique style to write his novel in, which like most things in life, has many positive factors to it and many negative factors as well. Personally, I enjoyed the first person point of view and seeing everything from Clair Taylors’ perspective. Doing this, allows for myself, the reader, to have a true insight in the book. However, I wish I had known the feelings of her father and Danny Stewart. I believe this would’ve added a nice depth to the storyline. This is not unusual though, as I have read many books written in first person point of view.

A part of the novel that fascinated me most was the characterization of each one of the characters. It was interesting to see how a group so dynamic, different, and unique in their own ways, all got along in such a nice manor. For example, Clair is an average teen just trying to live her life who finds feelings and emotions for her polar opposite neighbor, Danny Stewart. Danny is interested in cars and jazz music, where Clair doesn’t really have many unique qualities about her that are noticed in the novel. Her father is a want to be motorcycle man, who wants to seem tough, has such a soft spot for Clair and Wally. I liked how the author portrayed them as real people. No one was better than another, making them “normal” people in society. Some of the actions the characters did were so detailed and full of emotion that it will change the readers thoughts and feelings of them. I know when I read about Danny’s troubled father, Elwood, it gave me a whole new perspective on the Stewart family. All in all, I enjoyed learning about each and every character and their personality.

In this book “Whippoorwill”, the setting takes place in a rural town in New Hampshire. This is a key detail in the text because New Hampshire is far north, creating a cooler and harsh environment, especially for a dog to be tied outside all day and night. I do not believe that it is okay to have any dog in any weather outside all of the time, but this is especially abusive. Monninger used many descriptive adjectives that have made me feel like a part of the novel. For example, when Clair talks about Wally being her “Gold Moon”, this all traces backs to the early morning sun that shines on Wally’s beautiful fur coat. I have also been able to visualize the repulsive area that Wally was being forced to live in. I was able to picture the junk present in the yard of the Stewart’ residence. To add on to this, I was able to visualize the beautiful motorcycle ride Clair and her father took on a nice spring evening, earlier in the book. I was mesmerized by the amount of detail I could envision through the entire book.

The novel “Whippoorwill” is all about a girl named Clair, wanting to save her neighbors dog, Wally. He is in a bad situation in which poor Wally is tied to a pole, all day and night in the New Hampshire cold. Her neighbors, Danny and Elwood Stewart, do not get along. They often fight because of the fathers mental issues. This later cause huge conflict towards the end of the novel. At first, Clair does not act upon Wally’s terrible situation, but she believes deep in her soul, that Wally will make her somebody special. She finally grows a unique connection with Danny Stewart which consistently grows stronger and stronger throughout the story. The interesting part of that is that Clair never though in a million years that she will ever feel that way about him. I encourage you to read this novel to fall in love with Wally and experience the amazing relationships that take form throughout the book!

After reading this book, I have made numerous connections with the problems presented in the story and our society today. It has been brought to my attention that we are all oblivious to those animals in need. We ignore those animals suffering by not standing up against animal abuse right in front of our faces. I hope this novel encourages you to observe your surroundings and take action to help those poor and innocent animals in need. We need our precious animals to strive throughout their short lives.

To conclude, I would definitely recommend this novel to a group of different people. If do not have a love for animals, you will not feel the emotion the author wants you to feel. However, if you love animals, as I do, you will fall completely in love with Wally. I would also recommend this book to those who enjoys a little bit of romance. You will be flipping page after page, wondering what will happen next in Clair and Danny’s relationship. I hope you add this heartwarming novel to your bookshelves! It will not disappoint you!

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in one day & thoroughly enjoyed it. This is classified as a young reader level book and I received it as a first reads giveaway.

The boy next door with an abusive father, a neglected dog chained up outside. Both tug at your heartstrings and those of the girl next door. Together they work at training the dog and turning him into a "good dog". The process brings the two closer, however, not everything turns out well. But real life is like that, and this story reflects both the good and bad in real life.