Tuesday, September 21, 2010

PROFESSOR BINGO PRESENTS DAY: HUCK- REVIEW and GIVEAWAY

WELCOME TO
BOOKIN' WITH BINGO'S
"PROFESSOR BINGO
PRESENTS DAY"
I'M EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THIS TUESDAY'S
"PROFESSOR BINGO PRESENTS DAY"
CHILDREN/YOUNG ADULT BOOK CHOICE IS.....
GIVEAWAY ENDED
HUCK
The Remarkable True Story of How One
Lost Puppy Taught a Family—and a Whole Town
—About Hope and Happy Endings

BY JANET ELDER


ABOUT THE BOOK:

Huck is a page-turning, unforgettable true story of the tenacity of one small dog, the unexpected, extraordinary kindness of strangers, and a family’s devotion to each other.

Michael was four when his relentless campaign for a dog began. At seven he made a PowerPoint presentation, “My Dog,” with headings like “A Childhood Without a Dog is a Sad Thing.” His parents, Janet and Rich, were steadfast; bringing a dog into their fast-paced New York City lives was utterly impractical.

However, on a trip to Italy, a chance happening leads Janet to reconsider, a decision then hastened by a diagnosis of breast cancer. Janet decides the excitement of a new puppy would be the perfect antidote to the strain on the family of months of arduous treatments for her illness. The prospect of a new puppy would be an affirmation of life, a powerful talisman for them all.

On Thanksgiving weekend, soon after the grueling months of treatments are over, Huck, a sweet, mischievous, red-haired, toy poodle joins the family and wins everyone’s heart.

A few months later the family ventures to baseball’s spring training, leaving Huck with Janet’s sister in Ramsey, New Jersey. Barely twenty-four hours into the trip, Janet receives the dreaded phone call: Huck has slipped through the backyard fence and run away.

Broken-hearted and frantic, the family catches the first plane to New Jersey to begin a search for their lost puppy. It is a race against time, for little Huck is now lost in an area entirely unfamiliar to him, facing the threat of bears and coyotes, swamps and freezing temperatures, rain and fast cars.

Moved by the family’s plight, strangers – from school children to townspeople to the police lieutenant – join the search, one that proves to be an unyielding test of determination and faith.

Touching and warm-hearted, Huck is a spirit-lifting story about resilience, the generosity of strangers, and hope.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Janet Elder is a senior editor at The New York Times. She lives in Manhattan with her husband, Richard Pinsky, their son, Michael, and the family dog.





MY REVIEW:

Janet Elder’s HUCK is the heartwarming, stand-up-and-cheer story of how one toy poodle taught a whole group of people about hope. When Janet, her husband Rich, and Michael, their eleven-year-old son, went on vacation to Florida, they were looking for some fun in the sun and some spring training preseason baseball with the Yankees. Sure that their much loved, reddish toy poodle Huck would be fine with Janet’s sister, they were OK leaving him home in New Jersey, with her. When, however, they got a call saying Huck had gotten out and run away, it was the same as if one of them had gotten lost. You see, Huck was more than just their pet.

When Michael was growing up, he wanted a dog so much and his parents had resisted especially since they thought New York City wasn’t conducive to raising a puppy. But as fate often does, with its cruel hand, it struck Janet and when she learned she had breast cancer, she realized that a puppy would be just what Michael, and really all of them, might need. Her hope was that a dog might keep them in a positive frame of mind and validate life while Janet battled the cancer with her husband and son by her side. Far exceeding their expectations, Huck had been there for them and now, with him lost, they raced to be there for him. Lost in a strange area, in woods and with all kinds of hidden dangers, the family knows they face an almost impossible task as they race home.

This true story is extraordinary in that it shows not only how much this family loved their dog but how people can pull together and in time of need, renew our hope in each other. I read this book in one sitting on a good day and it just made it better. I love dogs, as you can tell, and so it made this inspiring little story even more appealing to me. The characters are likable and the personality of Huck is quite evident in the way Janet Elder portrayed him.
GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO JENNIFER AND RANDOM
HOUSE, I HAVE TWO COPIES OF THIS
WONDERFUL BOOK TO GIVE AWAY




--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY:
COMMENT AND TELL IF YOU HAVE A "HUCK" IN YOUR LIFE

+1 MORE ENTRY:
BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

+1 MORE ENTRY: WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE AND COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU THOUGHT INTERESTING, OR NOT, ABOUT IT



+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON HOW YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, YOU MAY COMMENT MORE THAN ONCE AND EARN EXTRA ENTRIES.

GIVEAWAY ENDS
6 PM, EST,
OCTOBER 5!

100 comments:

Sandy Jay said...

I don't have a "Huck" in my life at the present but I remember well the panic and desperation of finding a much loved puppy missing. This book is going to be a tear jerker.

forwhlz@gmail.com

Sandy Jay said...

I tweeted http://twitter.com/ForWhlz/status/25130185695

forwhlz@gmail.com

Sandy Jay said...

I follow with Google Reader.

forwhlz@gmail.com

Sandy Jay said...

GFC follower.

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Linda Henderson said...

Sadly I'm not allowed to have dogs where I live, but when I was growing up we had a wonderful St.Bernard that my grandmother used to say smiled at her. He was a very special dog.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I tweeted this giveaway.
http://twitter.com/BookOwner/status/25133774263

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

It was very interesting listening to the author tell the story about their dog.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I follow on GFC.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I follow on Networked Blogs.

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Linda Henderson said...

I subscribe via RSS feed.

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Anonymous said...

+5 Swagbucks


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

No huck here! But I do remember when I was condo hunting in California that we met a very affectionate dog that actually looked like Huck. We got to go back for a second visit and I got a little more time with him. He was so outgoing.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I follow with GFC.


CarolNWong@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I am an e-mail subscriber of this blog.

CarolNWong@aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I follow with FB too.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I finally got my Twitter password changed so I tweeted:


http://twitter.com/Carolee888


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Steve Capell said...

We have two “Hucks” is our life both of them the physical size of a very small toaster and both of them have an attitude of a Pit Bull. I am talking about out two adorable Chihuahuas named Pepper and Milie. We love them both very much. I am sure this book would an emotional read and one that I would love to read if I win your contest. Thanks for the opportunity.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

StephTheBookworm said...

No need to enter me in... I just read and reviewed this one and thought it was a really cute story. Thanks for sharing that video! I hadn't seen it before and it's great! Huck is soooo cute!!!

traveler said...

I have two Hucks. an adorable Maltese,Guido and a small mix,Bogie who is tolerated by Guido. This book sounds lovely. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

I don't have a Huck but look after my son's dogs whenever he asks which is often so I think of them as mine. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

The video was excellent and sweet. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Margie said...

We don't have a "Huck" now, but we did have a black lab for 16 years.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

You could tell from the video how much the family loved Huck, and how much Huck loved them in return. Very cute.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Follow by GFC
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Margie said...

email subscriber
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Margie said...

Facebook fan
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Margie said...

blog is on my Networked Blog list
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Margie said...

+5 Swag
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justpeachy36 said...

I totally have a Huck, my service dog Sundae... She's like a member of the family and I depend on her a lot.

Please enter me in the giveaway.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

justpeachy36 said...

I am a GFC follower.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

justpeachy36 said...

I am e-mail subscriber.

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I don't have a Huck in my life. But I can understand the emotions you through when you lose a beloved pet since we lost a cat when I was younger and than found the cat. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Linda Kish said...

I have a wonderful 9 year old min pin named Puppy. We adopted him at age 4 after we lost our previous min pin to renal failure. He likes to camp out next to me and protect me from the world.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

holdenj said...

Our "huck" is a beagle! She is a sweetheart and has brought great joy to our family!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I'm a GFC follower.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Pamela Keener said...

Yes most definately I have two Hucks in my life and also a crazy cat. If one of them would disappear I would move heaven and earth to find them. My Golden Lady who is at the rainbow bridge was lost 13 years ago and I canvassed the neighborhood until she was found. She was gone for 5 days and it was heartbreaking to me.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I follow your blog via GFC
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I follow your blog via Google Reader.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I am an e-mail subscriber to your blog.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I like Bookin w/Bingo on FB/Pam Keener
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I watched the video and Oh that face! How could you not love that dog.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

arceli said...

I do have a Huck in my life, a wonderful old boxer mix named Sadie.

a(dot)long(at)tcu(dot)edu

Reading said...

We a have a Huck, he is a labradoodle named Rocco. The kids just adore him and he adores them right back.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Jeff said...

we have a cat but no dogs.

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

http://twitter.com/jeff72768/status/25911969117

jeff727682yahoo.com

Jeff said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000609680005&v=wall&story_fbid=155692094454249&ref=mf

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/Jeff72768/review/46236510/

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I found it interesting, I believe animals can bring comfort.

jeff72768@yahoo.com

Jeff said...

I'm a facebook Fan

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Jeff said...

I follow RSS feed

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Jeff said...

I follow you on twitter
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Jeff said...

I'm a GFC follower
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Jeff said...

I'm a email subscriber
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Jeff said...

I follow you on network blogs
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Shirley said...

I have a Huck in my life, My son has her right now while I'm staying at my daughters. shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/25912618150

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100001626411320&v=wall&story_fbid=163746776972471

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/shundelt45/review/46236761/

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I agree with whats she saying about dogs, They are your friends no matter how bad a day your having or if you might be sick.

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'm a facebook Fan
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Shirley said...

I follow RSS feed
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Shirley said...

I follow you on twitter
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Shirley said...

I'm a GFC follower
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Shirley said...

I'm a email subscriber
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Shirley said...

i follow you on network blogs
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Unknown said...

No Huck exactly I have a cat named Tyler and he's like my baby.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/chirth7/review/46237195/

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000641625482&v=wall&story_fbid=151015271602970

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/Romantic73/status/25914093077

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I believe all animal are inherntly good and dogs especially with love you no matter what!

chiirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I follow RSS feed chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'm a facebook Fan
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Unknown said...

I follow you on twitter
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Unknown said...

I'm a GFC follower
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Unknown said...

I'm a email subscriber
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Unknown said...

I follow you on network blogs
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Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

Oh my gosh, after watching that video I have to read this book. I loved the part with Huck at the piano :) thank you for the contest!

inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

rubynreba said...

I don't have a Huck in my life. While I was growing up I had a dog who meant everything to me and it brings back memories of "Tippy."
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Watching the video I want to get a dog!!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I am an email subscriber
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

hendy said...

I don't have a Huck in my life but I do have a Monty in my life (my cat)-I've had wonderful dogs before they are man's best friend.
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

Follow via GFC
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hendy said...

Subscribe via email
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hendy said...

Subscribe to feed via google reader
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hendy said...

I watched the video and it's very heartwarming and I can relate to the your dog is another part of the family concept but leaving Florida right away to look for Huck is pretty amazing.
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

Allison said...

I don't have a Huck in my life but I'd love to read this book.

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Allison said...

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Unknown said...

this looks like such a cute story. I love inspirational stories

misaacmom at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

we just adopted a puppy who was abandoned after losing our dog. He has helped us through the loss.

Unknown said...

I follow via google friend connect

Nancye said...

The Huck in my life is a 2.5 year old Miniature Schnauzer named Abby. Oh, how I love that dog!! Talk about unconditional love!!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!
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Nancye said...

When I watched the video I could totally understand just how helpless you feel when your dig is lost. My dog Abby has gotten out a few times and it scared me to death! All the "what-ifs" start to run thru your mind.....luckily she came right back.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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