Author: Michaela Muntean
Photographer: K.C. Bailey and Stephen Kazmierski
© Date: 2012
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Pages: 40
Chapters: No
Photographs: Yes, every page has at least one
Publisher Recommended Age: 4-8 years
Bonus Activities at End of Book: No, but there is a letter from Luciano at the end which feels like a bonus
Summary from Book: Meet Luciano Anastasini, a man who calls the circus home. Meet ten dogs that have no home. When fate brings man and dogs together, a remarkable story of belief and second chances unfolds. So step right up and prepare to be amazed!
Page Pig Thoughts: This is a beautiful story of a man and ten dogs finding each other at just the right time. A man that could see the beauty and sparkle in ten different dogs and help them become the best version of themselves. Ten dogs that helped a man find his joy and a new spot in the circus life that he loved. This remarkable story of refinding your life journey when the original path that you desired is no longer possible is so inspiring. We loved the dogs and admired the man.
Page Pup gives this two thumbs up and looks forward to reading it again…and again.
Family Unit: Luciano lives in a home next to the trailer for the dogs, each dog has its own area, bed, and blanket.
Conflict/Social Issues:
- After an injury, Luciano dreamed of having his own act in the circus again.
- Ten dogs didn’t fit in at their homes and were in need of a new home.
Positive Items:
- Luciano and the dogs found joy with each other, and a love deep love that true understanding brings.
Items of Interest:
- Luciano was born into a circus family. He performed for many years in the circus. He loved the circus, and never stopped loving it after he fell fifty feet from the high wire. Four operations put his bones back together, but couldn’t give him any more fancy stunt acts.
- Luciano sold tickets and put up posters.
- Luciano imagined a new act that would give himself a second act. To make his idea work, he went looking for some dogs that needed a second chance.
- The story of each dog is included, what habits they had that meant they didn’t fit in their old home and what skills they found with Luciano.
- From their first performance at an elementary school to performing in the big top, the heartwarming story grew.
- More dogs joined the act over time. The original dogs guided the new ones, but each dog found their own unique spot.