Duke

In 1944, eleven-year-old Hobie Hanson is struggling with his father's absence as a B-17 pilot. When he hears about the Dogs for Defense program, he volunteers his beloved German Shepherd, Duke, hoping the sacrifice will somehow protect his father. The narrative follows Hobie's internal conflict, his letters to his father, and his growth as he navigates the home front in Washington State. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals with the fear of a parent dying in combat and the grief of losing a pet (though Duke is 'loaned'). The approach is realistic and historically grounded. While there is significant anxiety regarding the war, the resolution is hopeful and grounded in familial love. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story begins with a sense of duty and dread, building through a middle section of acute longing and doubt, and concluding with a sense of earned maturity and emotional release. IDEAL READER: An upper elementary student who is sensitive and empathetic, particularly those in military families or children who have had to give up something precious to help their family or community. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might choose this after seeing their child struggle with a difficult 'grown-up' decision or if the child is acting out because they miss an absent parent. PARENT PREP: Parents should be aware that the book contains realistic depictions of wartime anxiety and the fear of receiving a 'telegram' from the government. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers (8-9) will focus primarily on the bond between the boy and his dog. Older readers (11-12) will better grasp the nuance of the 'home front' sacrifices and the moral complexity of Hobie's choice. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many WWII stories that focus on the battlefield, Duke focuses on the specific, heart-wrenching domestic sacrifice of the Dogs for Defense program, a lesser-known piece of history that children find deeply relatable.