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(More customer reviews)Heroes and Hounds is an enchanting tale of a young girl named Carly growing up on a large Virginia farm with her grandfather. She is filled with enthusiasm and considers the animals living on and around the farm as her best friends, including the mice in the barn and a clever red fox. This involves a complete lack of prejudice that serves Carly throughout the tale even as she begins to befriend people. "Carly wished people wouldn't kill the animals. They were her friends. All of them."
It is Carly's unfailingly cheerful and helpful attitude that pulls the reader into the story. She is an imaginative girl and daydreams of being a hero and also of taking her pony to a horse show. Carly also has a determined and practical side which we see when she assists in locating a lost hunting hound. Later, this same determination and courage is needed as Carly attempts to help the police find her friend, Freddie.
Sections of the narrative follow non-human characters to show their unique personalities. The characters might be archetypes -- the crafty fox, the naïve hound, the determined young girl, the misunderstood social outcast -- but the descriptions of their interactions remain quite enjoyable despite their familiarity. The manner in which the story is told is original, however. Each character, whether human or animal, has something quite pressing motivating them to action, though it is not always obvious right away what this is. The author describes these motivations in detail by giving the reader an understanding into the character's thoughts, intelligence, and unique awareness.
For example, as a canine, Hampton's dominant sense is smell. The author is able to impart the way in which Hampton understands his environment through his nose. "He sniffed the air, drinking in the smells of a new October day. It was the sweet smell that lingers after a heavy rainfall." Although human noses are not as keen, the reader is still able to absorb this vivid description.
This book's ability to communicate to older children on their level and help them become interested in reading is another one of its great advantages. The story is fast paced and the way it switches story lines every chapter keeps it very entertaining. Yet, interspersed into the plot are sophisticated themes such as forgiveness to those who have shown anger or cruelty towards you, showing kindness and trust to strangers, and even standing up for what you know in your heart is right and true.
Perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of this book is Carly's transformation as she begins making human friends and then realizes she must protect them from the dangers of the world. Could she really be the hero she dreams of being? Only by reading the tale can one answer this question, but rest assured it is well worth the journey. This tale may be about heroes and hounds but it is about so much more as well.
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Carly is 11 years old and lives with her grandfather on a 200-acre Virginia farm while both parents serve in the military overseas.She loves the farm, and befriends all of the animals including a sneaky red fox that stalks her grandfather's prize chickens. Her best friend is her pony, Monroe, who shares her enthusiasm for adventure.Carly's constant dream is to ride with the Riverdale Hunt Club that passes through her grandfather's property. On one particularly rainy Saturday, Carly watches from her front porch as the finely dressed ladies and gentlemen ride to the hounds.Later in the day, Carly finds out that a young hound named Hampton has become lost and Carly is determined to find him and by so doing endear herself to the hunt's Master; perhaps to be asked to ride Monroe in an upcoming meet.Carly enlists the help of her friend, Freddie, but the adventure is just beginning.Carly, Monroe, Hampton and the red fox have no idea what dangers await them.
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