Brian DennisReseñas

This is a great true story about a dog with a lot of grit and heart, who immigrates to America during the war.

In western Iraq there was a group of wild dogs that survived off the land. The leader of the pack was a thin dog who had its ears cut off. One day, Major Brian Dennis and his team showed up to help train the Iraqi soldiers. Brian and the dog with its ears cut off, who he later named Nubs, bonded right away. Nubs and Brain shared dinenr together that night and Nubs kept Brian company when it was his turn on guard duty. The next day, the Marines hoped in their Humvees to drive off and the group of wild dogs chased after them. Most the dogs gave up, but Nubs continued to chase after the Humvees not knowing that Marines were not allowed to have pets. Brian came back to the fort several times and was greeted by Nubs each time. On one visit, when he was leaving Nubs chased the Humvee for as long as he could before his body gave out. When Nubs stood back up, rather than returning to the fort, he began walking in the direction that the Humvees went. Nubs walked 70 miles to the Iraqi Battalion headquarters where Brian was stationed. Nubs happily ran into Brian's arms. The Marines built Nubs a dog house, fed him, and even made him his own collar. Brian was given four days to get rid of the dog "or else" because dogs were not allowed at the outpost. The Marines raised enough money to transport Nubs to America. Nubs and Brian now live together in San Diego.

A heartwarming story about a marine and a stray dog that formed an unlikely friendship in the middle of a war. This story chronicles the life of the dog in Iraq, the rough journey he made to be reunited with his friend, and his transition to a comfortable life in San Diego.½

Kids will love this story about an abandoned dog's fierce loyalty to a Marine major and Nubs' subsequent rescue from the harsh desert life of Iraq. Illustrated with color photographs that include heartwarming shots of man and dog together. Co-written by Kirby Larson, author of the terrific "Hattie Big Sky."

A sweet little story of love, loyalty and devotion between a dog and a soldier in war-torn Iraq. It was heart-breaking to see the hardships Nubs went through, but I admired the kindness the author showed to a homeless, scruffy dog. Loved the photos of Nubs that were scattered through this book.

B All animal lovers will enjoy this story. Nubs is a wild dog that follows a marine from Iraq to Jordan in the middle of a war. Due to the fact that soldiers are not allowed to have animals Brian, the marine that takes care of Nubs, sends Nubs to live in the United States with his family. This nonfiction story depicts the loyality of dogs and the relationship that develops between people and dogs.

Nubs is the true story of a Marine, a dog, and an incredible journey. Nubs and Brian meet in the Iraqi desert and become instant best friends. Brian realizes he must figure out a way to bring Nubs back stateside when his tour is over.

This is an excellent book for young readers and is a great way to discuss geography, distance and time, as well as a loving story about a determined dog. It would be great for students who are just starting to read chapter books.

This book is certainly incredible and a tearjerker. It shows that anything is possible and kids will relate to it because most like animals, especially dogs. The story was written from the dog's point of view as well as the human's so that the reader feels emotionally invested in the story. It is inspiring and it would be a good book to read out loud to a group of student and have discussion questions about similar experiences or the feelings that the book brought out.

I heard of this book from a friend back in Montana that teaches 1st grade. She told me how she read this story to her class and got an amazing response when she finished. The kids were so touched by the story they wanted to write letters to Captain Dennis and see how Nubs is doing among other things.
This is an amazing story of the bond between dog and man. To think a wild dog meets a group of soldiers in the middle of the desert and through blistering sun, freezing night and snowy days the dog waits patiently. And in the end he completes a true Homeward Bound story and travels 70 miles to find his best friend. I think it was pretty fun to see that Brian and his team took photos and kept records of all their time with Nubs. And the hard work puts into rainy funds to get him back to the U.S. Just a heart felt story in a time a of war where the bad stories usually are the ones that get the most attention.

Nubs is the leader of a group of wild dogs living in the desert of western Iraq. Life is hard for these dogs, who face hardships such as war, lack of food, and attacks from other packs of dogs. However, Nubs life soon changes when he meets Marine Major, Brian Dennis. The two quickly become friends, and Nubs keeps Brian company while he watched over the troops. However, Brian soon has to relocate 70 miles away. He can't take Nubs with him because Marines aren't allowed to have pets. Nubs ends up trekking 70 miles to find Brian. Brian is touched, and has a few friends take care of Nubs in the United States until he can return home. Now, Nubs and Brian live happily together in San Diego.

I absolutely love the way this book is illustrated with photos, drawings, maps and postcards. It helps the reader connect with this story even more. I am so moved at the soldiers act of kindness for this amazing dog, Their service never ends - it's in their hearts!

Recommended Ages: Gr. 2-4

Plot Summary: Major Brian Dennis first meets Nubs in outside a border fort in western Iraq. He named him Nubs because his ears looked like they'd been cut off. He pet the stray dog and was sorry to leave him when his unit moved on. When he returned to the fort a short time later, Major Dennis was happy to see Nubs again and gave him lots of attention and food. When his unit packed up again, Nubs followed him the 70 miles through the frozen desert. Major Dennis took care of Nubs in his new outpost until someone tattled on him for having a pet dog. He was given four days to get rid of the dog. Major Dennis wrote to all of his friends and family asking for donations to send Nubs to the US.

Setting: Iraq, US

Characters:
Major Brian Dennis - found the dog
Nubs - dog with no ears

Recurring Themes: war, stray dogs, animals, pets, military, donations

Controversial Issues: none

Personal Thoughts: I liked that the book included so many photos. I thought it was a bit choppy with the emails and letters, but I liked that they included them.

Genre: Informational text, biography of Nubs

Pacing: fast, big font, short paragraphs
Characters:
Frame:
Storyline:

Activity: collect items for needy dogs½

This book tells the charming story of Nubs, a dog who was once wild and without an owner, and Brian, a marine who befriended Nubs during his deployment in Iraq. The photographs are really those of Nubs and of Brian, making the story even more real to the reader. Nubs was an extremely loyal dog, making his way 70 miles across the desert to find Brian when he was moved with the military and found out that he couldn't take Nubs with him. Brian and Nubs now live in California together. One of the fourth grade girls in my class who read this book absolutely loved it, and said, "I don't normally like to read unless I have to, but that book was really good!" I found it to be just the right length for someone who is a less-than-avid reader, but still requires enough heft because of ability. This book also really gives students a feel for what it must be like to be in the military stationed far from home, and the importance of friendship and love that traverses any distance.

I loved this book because it connected two of my favorite things: the military and animals. My dad is in the army and I always felt as though there were not many picture books that featured the military for me to connect with as a child. I loved so many things about this book and found it to have many great features. I really liked that this book had actual photographs. Instead of drawn illustrations, there were real pictures of Nubs, Brian, and the places they went. I liked the photographs because they were realistic and fit the biographical genre of the book. It also helped me to relate the words to the pictures because they were not abstract but rather clear and realistic.I also loved the inside book ends of this hardback book. On the book ends were parts of letters written by children to Brian about Nubs. Some of the quotes include things such as, "You and Nubs are very brave," and "I'm glad he is safe with an owner like you." I think that is such a cool thing to include subtly in the book. It does not distract from Brian's story but rather enhances it because it is in the front and back of the inside of the book. The main message of this story is that friends come in all shapes, sizes, and species. Brian and Nubs were able to create a friendship that endured many tough times. They were able to pull through together with the help and support of many people. Nubs never gave up on finding his friend and was able to travel 70 miles in search of him. Hard work and dedication can pay off and make the end result worth the journey.

Maine Student Book Award Nominee 2010-2011

This is a really cute story about a dog in Iraq. I think it will melt even the stoniest heart.

Nubs was a wild dog in Iraq that found Major Brian Dennis, and found a life long friend. After Nubs followed Dennis 70 miles to another post, Dennis began making moves to keep him. When military rules prevented Dennis from keeping him on base, Dennis began the process to bring him to the States. Now, Nubs lives with Dennis in California.

This is a great, heart-tugging story. Everyone will love reading about this determined, loyal dog that makes an incredible journey. This book is in my elementary school library, and every time a student returns it, they declare it a wonderful story. The reading level is probably higher second grade, but the story is easily understood by all.

This book offers a wonderful true story of a dog rescued by Marines in Iraq. Although unable to keep the dog due to military rules, Nubs, the dog, refuses to let that stop him from attaching himself to the Marines. This is an inspirational story of resilience and perseverance. The story is illustrated with real life pictures that brings the tale to life.

a wonderful modern-day story of love and loyalty by a canine and a Marine. Children can relate to this true event during the conflict that still exists in the Middle East. Awareness of what the troops live like, as well as the plight of animals makes this book a valuable addition to the classroom library. It is also very well-written!½

Nubs is an amazing true story about a war dog living in Iraq. It is also about the great bond between human and animals. Nubs was one of many dogs living in the war zone in Iraq that suffered throughout his life. Brian was a Marine that came across Nubs during his stay in Iraq and fell in love with him. Nubs traveled 70 miles just to be with Brian! The story was really touching .

True story of a dog that bonded with an American soldier in Iraq. Nubs, as he was named, followed his favored soldier 70 miles across the desert to his base. Although not allowed to have pets, the soldiers adopted him and when a CO discovered him and ordered him removed, a group effort including fund-raising carried Nubs across the world to San Diego, where he now lives with his human, Maj. Brian Dennis.

You could use it to help students write their own personal narratives. The author included many interesting excerpts from the marine's actual e-mails and journals. Photographs of nubs and Brian were shown on each page. Good use of dashes. The writer shows the dogs perspective as well as Brian's. The pages change color along with the mood and feeling of the words on each page. Teach wordplay with-pawparazzi. Have students write an personal note or if they are writing about someone else have individual write a personal not to readers about his/her experience and appreciation for those involved.

I wasn't overly impressed wtih this picture book about Nubs, though the story is sympathetic and Nubs is cute. The photos do a very limited job at storytelling leaving most of the work up to the uninspired text, which is peppered with pseudo "emails" from Major Brian Dennis about the current situation with Nubs. (Nubs was a wild dog who lived near a fort that the Major and his unit would visit periodically. Eventually, Nubs tracked the Major down over 70 miles in order to reunite with him.) I read a review that said the book was an accessible view of the Iraq war for young gradeschoolers - I guess so, but the place and situation (Iraq during wartime/reconstruction) seems entirely incidental to the actual story, which is really about a lonely dog and the people who come to care for him. I guess maybe that was my issue with the story? I don't know.

I wasn't sure if a book about U.S. Marines would be a good fit for a Canadian school library, so I read this book with some reservations. However, this is just one of those feel good books and focused on relationship of Nubs and Dennis without delving into political issues. Although it isn't exactly a neatly organized and structured text, it has a sense of authenticity which would have been lost in a highly published book. I think younger readers would enjoy this true story.

True story of a dog saved by marines, and told with text and photos!