Book of the Month

My favourite book of the summer has to be The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. This first novel tells the story of a mute boy, his dog breeding family and the dogs he raises and communicates with only by sign language. The story takes place in Wisconsin and tells the story of the Sawtelle family whose grandfather began to breed unusual dogs that come to be known as the Sawtelle dogs.

These dogs are remarkable and highly intelligent being bred for temperament and intelligence and kept and rigorously trained until young adulthood, rather than sold as young puppies then ruined. His sons carry on his work, but among human families, undesirable traits aren't so easily predicted, and family tragedy brought on by bad blood and evil ensues.

When Edgar must vanish, he takes three of his dogs and the story of their journey through the backwoods of Wisconsin is startling bursting with courage, loyalty and undeniable beauty. If you own dogs, you will never look at your dogs the same way!