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The Winner's Walk

by Nancy Ruth Patterson
Illustrated by Thomas F. Yezerski



      Everyone in the Callahan family except Case is a winner.  Mom is an actress who receives standing ovations for her stage performances, Dad trains champion jumping horses, and Case's sister Quinn won a blue ribbon for her butterfly stroke in the state swimming championships. Case has plans though.  He feels sure he will be able to win the talent show with his juggling.  His project for the science fair is going to be a sure winner, and if all else fails, he and his pony, Sherman, will surely win a jumping championship.   But, things never work out quite the way they are supposed to.

His juggling act was a disaster and so was the science project, then the McGee's Basset caused Sherman to miss a jump and Case hits the ground, breaking his arm.

Case finds a beautiful golden retriever who is nearly starving and with matted fur.  Case manages to talk Mom into letting him stay just until he finds the dog's owner. But what a dog he is! The amazing Noah, as Case names his new dog, picks up the phone when it rings, opens the door, and puts his dish in the dishwasher, among other neat tricks he already knows. Noah and Case win the blue ribbon at an agility trial for dogs. Finally, Case is a champion at something!

This wonderful, funny, but emotional story will introduce the exciting world of Partners With Paws; dogs trained to be helpers for the disabled. Case meets Meg, Noah's previous owner, and learns all about the training program for pets trained to help disabled children like Meg, who is in a wheelchair. Meg has another dog now, so she no longer needs Noah...but what about other disabled children who need a helper?

Nancy Ruth Patterson has crafted an exciting story with an appealing hero. Case reminds us all of what being a winner is really all about in this story that is perfect for sharing with the whole family.

The Book

Farrar, Straus and Giroux
September 5, 2006
Hardcover
0374384452
Children/Fiction - Ages 8-12
More at Amazon.com
Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Beverly J. Rowe
Reviewed 2006
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© 2006 MyShelf.com