Captain's Command

by Anna Myers

It's up to Gail and Captain, the golden retriever Gail's father gave to her before he left to fight in World War II, to save Uncle Ned-from himself!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens, War

Hardcover

First published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[Stephanie Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was actually very sad for a children's book. I appreciate the author's willingness to present such a heavy topic in a way that while it was sad, it was not overly so and not too terribly scary for younger readers. This book was one that I originally read when I was actually within the target age range and even now 20+ years later, I still enjoyed it.

[Hannah S.]

I liked this book, but it sort of tricks you. It was sad.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading this book when I was in elementary school and I decided to re-read it years later. I feel it’s a sweet story, but a lot sadder than I recall. This story is about a girl and her golden retriever named Captain and it takes place during WWII in a small Midwestern town. Her father goes missing in action during the war, her uncle was also wounded and is blind. Her loving dog helps her find her way through these things.

[Wayne Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book opens during World War II with five men in a B-17 bomber who are shot down over occupied France. Two survive, the navigator who is seriously injured and the gunner who tries to get them both to safety. They find refuge in the home of a French family whose father was killed by the Nazis. Gail Harmon, a sixth-grader, lives in a yellow house in Stonewall, OK, with her mother Eva, younger twin siblings Timmy and Mary Nell who are five, and Captain, the Labrador retriever named Captain that her father gave her before he went away to fight in the war.

Then the Harmons receive a telegram that Gail’s father, Virgil Harmon, has been shot down and is missing in action. Nearby live Gail’s great-grandmother, Big Mama, and Uncle Ned. When Virgil and Ned were boys, their parents were killed in an accident and their grandmother came from Mississippi to take care of them. Now, Ned, who became a geologist, has returned from the war broken and blinded to find that his wife has left him. He is very bitter, drinks the home-brewed whiskey that the neighbor gives him, and acts as if he doesn’t want to live. Yet Gail has received a letter from her father asking her to take care of his younger brother. Is there anything that Gail and Captain can do to help Ned, especially when he wanders off by himself in the snow? And will Gail ever see her father again?

My reaction after reading this book is basically positive. Yes, there is a great deal of sadness, but of course many families experienced great sadness during World War II. However, there is also a feeling of hope, especially at the end. So it is not morbid or depressing. There are references to smoking a pipe, dancing, and an age of millions of years for some of Ned’s fossils, and the euphemistic term “gosh” is used once. And, of course, there is Ned’s drinking, but both Mrs. Harmon and Big Mama refer to it as poison, and the implication finally is that Ned will give it up. All in all, Captain’s Command gives a good picture of what it was like for typical American families with men in the service during World War II and the kinds of problems that they faced.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sad but sweet little book about a young girl learning to deal with loss, while the adults around her are responding to the same pain in different ways - not all of them helpful to a grieving child. It's an easy read, and I think even fairly young readers wouldn't have any trouble understanding the conflict. I would perhaps have given it only 3.5 stars if I could, because the plot isn't that impressive (and felt rushed in the wrap-up), but I rounded up to 4 because Meyers does a wonderful job describing the world in a way that conveys Gail's simple, childlike perspective.

[Jie Hao · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often wish that I will be blind, then I can learn the feelings those people felt. Also, a dog can be my friend. Help me, protect me, and listen to me. This book sorta told me how the guide dogs helped people. The girl is really brave. She give up her dog to help her uncle. It's something I could never do. How I separate from my dearest friend like that? Even if I know someone can gain a lot by having thatt dog, I don't think I could do it. So I really pay respect to those who give up their dogs for other.

[MacKenzie Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rated this a 3 star. Gail the girl and the main character in the story is trying to beleive in the tough time of World War 2. She is trying to find hope in everybody while her father and others are gone away fighting. Her dog Captain helps her trough this story. I liked it because she never gave up hope even when her father dies. She is a very strong girl.

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was sad! Now I want to get a golden retriever...

[Ashley Reger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books as a child. Although it is very sad, this story is wonderful and really touches your heart!

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually had hope...im frustrated