Benji

by Allison Thomas, Joe Camp (Screenplay)

Benji was a very special dog. Everyone loved that bright-eyed, independent mutt. Every morning Benji raced through town, greeting his friends and chasing the Finster cat. His best friends off all were the Chapman children, 9 yr. old Paul, and 7 yr. old Cindy. And the best time of all was a breakfast of delicious scraps in the Chapman Kitchen.Then suddenly, thrilling things began to happen! Benji found a beautiful girlfriend. Sinister intruders broke into Benji's secret hideout. The Chapman children were in terrible danger. And the only one in the world who could save them was heroic Benji!

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Animals, Dogs, Young Adult, Classics, Media Tie In

121 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Lobstergirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember when America was gripped with Benji fever.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benji was a huge love in my life as a preteen girl. I loved all things Benji. The movies, the books, the stuffed toys, etc. I even remember entering a contest to try to win a real live Benji puppy, and I had a "paw"tographed photo of Benji himself. So how can I say anything bad about the book. Benji will always hold a special place in my heart.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST CHILDHOOD BOOK EVER! I still have my childhood copy!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think I ever saw the movie, but I listened to the record over and over between the ages of about 4 and 6. I found a used copy of the book on Thriftbooks and I could hear the voices and inflection as I read. Despite the storyline, I don’t remember being especially worried that I would be kidnapped for ransom.

[Thea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a dog named Benji. He is a adventurous, outgoing, and a overall lovable dog that lived most of his life on the streets because his mother got captured by the dog catcher when he was just a young pup. Throughout his life he just traveled around from town to town until he went to this one small town where these two little kids named Carter and Frankie lived. Before Benji met the two kids their father had died and their mom had been struggling raising them on her own. The little boy carter found Benji and him and his little sister let Benji follow them to their house. Their mom doesn’t approved of the dog being there, “i can barley keep the three of us afloat, it's not happening”(Thomas 52). The two kids got really upset about this and let the dog go so that their mom wouldn’t take him to the pound. The next day they got out of school and went to a pawn shop that they have been going to for awhile to try and buy back this watch. When they went there, there ended up being thief's there trying to steal money from the safe. The thief's kidnapped the kids because they didn’t want them calling the police.
They took them to this abandoned house but while they were driving there Carter left a trail of strawberries so Benji could find them. Benji ended up finding them so he went back to the pawn shop and the policed got called. The police saw that Benji knew where the kids were so the followed him. Benji took them to the house but the house appeared to be empty. The investigator and the kids mom was upset at Benji thinking that he just took them this house for no reason. They went back to town to look for more evidence but the gave up hope and just went back to the house to see if they maybe missed something. They ended up finding a underground tunnel that lead to a ship yard, “It's a underground transport tunnel built way back for things you don’t even wanna know about”(Thomas 112). The investigators ended up finding the thief's and The kids. The kids got to keep Benji at the end and had a better relationship with their mom because of this experience.

[Jonathan Mosebach · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sweet short, fun read about a dog, some kidnappers, and how when good people do the right thing justice wins out. Benji the hero of the story, is just an ordinary mutt who through his canine cunning, helps solve a very sad kidnapping case, and how when a dog uses his smarts, a'int nothing a pooch can't accomplish! A charming read for anyone! Read it for THE 52 BOOK CLUB'S 2018 READING CHALLENGE PROMPT # 2 A CHILDHOOD FAVOURITE!

[Willy Boy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The classic amphetamine-fueled adaptation of America's (third) most lovable dog

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s not really a 4 star read, but I loved this movie so much when I was a kid, and the novel is just campy enough (35 years ago, they would have called it “wholesome”) to be feel-good nostalgic.

[Karin Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this at a thrift store. It brought back so many memories. I still have the plush Benji toy!

[Julia Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute read for all ages, but especially for kids. Quick read also

[Ellie Wyatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Identical to the movie.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this!! It really brought me back to my childhood watching Benji.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a sort of a stray dog who has many friends. But when he finds a girlfriend. Other stuff. BAD stuff happens. Two loving good hearted kids are kidnapped and he knows where they are. Can he save them? When no one understands what he is saying?
What I like about this book is how it is from a dog and a family’s ( who does not own him.) point of view.
What I learned from this book is if you know what is the right thing to do: DO IT!!!!!!!!!

[Jaime · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a sweet and simple story of the magical dog known as Benji. Benji is a free spirit who lives life and is tied to only those he chooses. He is the hero when he comes to the rescue of a couple of kids. It is a charming little novel for any child or dog lover. Unfortunately, it is slow-moving and quite bland at times.

[Viola Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride! A thrilling and adventurous story of a 'mutt' Benji and his love and affection for us humans. I loved how the book was told in Benji's perspective and it made me wonder if that is how my dogs look at life. Dogs are incredible creatures that liven up and make our lives more joyful in so many ways and this book does a magnificent job in portraying their precious souls.

[Gregg Zwillling MD · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book without pictures! It holds fond memories!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute read to add to our book/movie combo that my sister and I are doing.

[Ashlei A.K.A Chyna Doll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this being a great book. Full f love, cute dogs and good morals.

[Wynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still love you Benji!