Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt

Nubs, an Iraqi dog of war, never had a home or a person of his own.

He was the leader of a pack of wild dogs living off the land and barely surviving. But Nub’s life changed when he met Marine Major Brian Dennis. The two formed a fast friendship, made stronger by Dennis’s willingness to share his meals, offer a warm place to sleep, and give Nubs the kind of care and attention he had never received before. Nubs became part of Dennis’s human “pack” until duty required the Marines to relocate a full 70 miles away—without him. Nubs had no way of knowing that Marines were not allowed to have pets.

So began Nub’s incredible and danger-filled journey to find his friend; his courage led Dennis on a mission that would touch the hearts of people all over the world.

Nubs and Dennis will remind readers that friendship has the power to cross deserts, continents, and even species.

Awards

Bestseller Lists: 

  • New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Indiebound

National Awards:

  • The Christopher Medal, 2010
  • 2009 National Parenting Publication Gold Award

State Children’s Choice Awards:

  • Washington Children’s Choice Award
  • Kentucky Blue Grass Award
  • Maine Student Book Award (grades 4-8)
  • Delaware Diamonds Book Award
  • Colorado Children’s Book Award
  • Michigan Great Lakes Great Books Award
  • Beverly Cleary (Oregon) Children’s Choice Award
  • Missouri Show Me Award
  • Wyoming State Buckaroo Book Award
  • Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award 2012-1023
  • Nebraska Golden Sower Primary Award, 2012-2013
  • California Young Reader Medal, 2012-2013

State Children’s Choice Nominations:

  • Illinois Bluestem Award 2013-2014
  • Iowa Goldfinch Award

Librarians’ Lists/Reviews

  • The Texas Horned Toad Tales
  • 2010 Capitol Choices selection
  • Starred review in Booklist

Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt

Nubs, an Iraqi dog of war, never had a home or a person of his own.

He was the leader of a pack of wild dogs living off the land and barely surviving. But Nub’s life changed when he met Marine Major Brian Dennis. The two formed a fast friendship, made stronger by Dennis’s willingness to share his meals, offer a warm place to sleep, and give Nubs the kind of care and attention he had never received before. Nubs became part of Dennis’s human “pack” until duty required the Marines to relocate a full 70 miles away—without him. Nubs had no way of knowing that Marines were not allowed to have pets.

So began Nub’s incredible and danger-filled journey to find his friend; his courage led Dennis on a mission that would touch the hearts of people all over the world.

Nubs and Dennis will remind readers that friendship has the power to cross deserts, continents, and even species.

Reviews

Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery, authors of the Hurricane Katrina survival story Two Bobbies, pair with Dennis on this hugely inspirational true account. The gritty, low-res shots of the two companions against the bleak Iraqi countryside are married with text so gracefully that many of the compositions could be book jackets. Dennis’ emails and various other official documents liven the layout, but the payoff is the grinning face on Nub’s American passport. At long last he was going home.” —Booklist, (starred review)

“Told in brief text augmented by Dennis’s facsimile e-mails and illustrated with clear color photos, this story presents a view of the Iraq war that makes it accessible to very young grade-schoolers, a welcome addition to collections serving that audience and especially seful for children of soldiers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.” —Kirkus

This is a feel-good entry in the current trend of inspirational true animal stories.” —School Library Journal

“Everyone, from school kids to senior citizens should read this story of U.S. Marine, Major Brian Dennis, and the scrappy leader of a desert pack… The journey of this soldier and his canine soul-mate, told in sparse prose with e-mail messages from Dennis highlighting each section, is astonishing and unforgettable. Read it yourself, read it to your children, and pass it along to family and friends. Just make sure you have plenty of Kleenex handy.” —Family Dog Magazine