Star in the Storm

Gr 4-7-Harlow's descriptive prose clearly evokes images of the Newfoundland coast and life in 1912, and she carefully incorporates folklore of the region into her story. Maggie, 12, is determined to keep her beloved Newfoundland, Sirius, in spite of a new law that bans all but sheepdogs from this sheep-raising community. The characters are drawn with a heavy hand and are either evil or good at the beginning. Maggie's determination makes her the most interesting and endearing character. Howard Rand, the wealthiest man in town, is the villain who champions the law that threatens Sirius's very existence. Obvious foreshadowing shows the canine's bravery and amazing abilities to perform rescues from raging sea conditions. How convenient that the dog is able to save Mr. Rand's older daughter and grandchild from almost certain death when the steamer they are on crashes into some rocks close to shore. At this point, Rand mellows, and he withdraws his opposition to Sirius. Even his nasty younger daughter, Maggie's nemesis, comes around in the end. It's unfortunate that the story and the changes in the mean characters are so predictable. Still, in spite of its shortcomings, the book will be a popular choice among readers who love dog stories.-Renee Steinberg, Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ Copyright 2000 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.