Dogs bring out the best in us

Steven drives for a living. He drives people to airports and to other designations. He lives in a small cottage with his dog Oliver. One day he takes Oliver with him and when he stops for takeout Oliver is stolen from his car.

Steven is heartbroken and with the help of his sisters he searches for his dog. He searches for 7 days for Oliver. Steven is depressed. He thinks he has lost Oliver for good. Oliver is his whole life.

What lesson Stephen learns is that he is not alone, people care for him. His family, his friends, and strangers from the neighborhood and the internet.

Everyone helps him hunt for Oliver and it is a happy ending when Oliver is found. I love how there are little boxes that provide what Oliver is thinking, and other small boxes that tell Oliver’s story what he likes and about his dad Stee.

I think any young person would love this story of Stephen and his lost dog Oliver. I read it because I thought my great grand children would like it and I am always looking for new books for them. I have to admit that I was captivated by this cute story about a missing go named Oliver.

Thanks to Steven J. Carino, Thomas Nelson Children’s, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy in return for an honest review.

This would be a wonderful read aloud for a classroom read. The best part is that throughout, Oliver the dog says how he feels with what is going on around him. Again, this would be a great classroom read or just to have in your classroom library!!!

Oliver is a heartbreaking story that slowly puts your heart back together as you read on. Steven’s dog Oliver is stolen from his car when he was out picking up food. He thinks his best friend is gone forever but his sisters and friends help him begin the search. Soon, the whole town helps out with making sure Oliver is found. The community joins together, making Steve realize a lot about himself and others.

The community coming together for Oliver was so wholesome and Oliver himself is a wonderful dog. He sounds like SUCH a good boy. I’m so glad that he was reunited with Steven. (Not a spoiler, it says so in the synopsis that they find him). I also think that if knowing he wasn’t found, I’m not sure I would be able to read this because I was STRESSED waiting for them to find each other.

I can’t imagine losing your dog that way, for a whole week, and not knowing what happened to them. This is a lovely book for all ages, perfect for any dog lover. I love how much our author loved dogs and the passion he feels for them because I could relate. Your heart breaks for him and in my case, a tear may be shed. Plus, look how adorable he is.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson publishing, and specifically Lewis for an advanced copy of this book!

Both myself and my children really enjoyed this real. It was a lovely story and I can’t wait to read it to my class when we return to school.

When I first started this book…I was a little hesitant. I am such a huge dog lover and the thought of losing one of my dogs could absolutely send me over the edge. And, I had no intention of being traumatized because of Oliver. But there is so much more to this story.

The good feeling the reader gets from this book is a true joy! As a matter of fact…I may reread this one soon. Sometimes everyone needs to be reminded about the kindness of strangers.

I enjoyed so much about this read..but especially the characters. And of course Oliver! What a charming little guy!

Need a feel good book…this is it! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Oliver (for Young Readers) // by Steven J. Carino and Alex Tresniowski

Ever since naming my book blog after my German Shepherd Ivy, I have regularly been receiving requests to read and review books about dogs. And I have to be honest: I hardly ever am able to stop myself from accepting. When I was contacted about Oliver for Young Readers, I only had to take one quick look at Oliver's face on the cover and I was head over heels in love with the little rascal. The premise for this book is both heartbreaking as well as heart-warming, promising us a story full of tears, adventure, and love.

I wasn't quite sure at the beginning which age range books "for young readers" aim for but after a closer look at the cover, I realized that it is for middle-grade readers, age 8 to 12. I don't often read middle-grade books, in fact, I think this is only maybe the third or fourth in a very long time. While this isn't a genre I will seek out regularly, I still really enjoyed this book a lot nonetheless. The format reminds me of a diary for most of the book and it was cute how Oliver's thoughts were sprinkled throughout as well (I know, I know, there isn't a sure way to know what dogs think but this IS aimed at young readers after all). I now even find myself referring to a Steve at work as Stee. Hah. We also get to hear a little bit about Steve's childhood and random stories about Oliver, which makes this book feel even more personal. One of my favorite parts though were the picture of Oliver and his friends in the second half of the book. I always love it when we get to see the characters in a book up close with their friends.

I don't know how the adult version of the book differs from this one but I did feel that sometimes this one felt a little bit too... over the top maybe? I am not a dramatic person myself in general so I can be a bit iffy about that in my books but then again, I am extremely attached to my own pup and probably would find myself acting exactly the same way in that situation as well. So take my opinion on that with a grain of salt. It is impossible to know how you yourself would act in a specific situation until it actually happens to you and I sure hope that will never happen. My heart goes out to Stee and Oliver for having to go through that but I am so glad he was able to see the positive in the situation. This book really teaches us to appreciate our four-legged companions while they are with us and that community, compassion, forgiveness, and love can move a mountain. This is an excellent book for your children to read alone or you to read and discuss all the themes together.

Warning: Steve is Christian and takes his beliefs seriously in his day-to-day life. You will see him talk about them several times throughout this book. I know some readers like to avoid religion in books so I wanted to throw that out there but I personally am not Christian myself but still enjoyed the book a lot nonetheless.

Thank you to the authors, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written. It will make you cry. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. This book is set in New York. I enjoyed the family relationships within this book. The relationship between man and man's best friend is great. This book is in stores now for $16.99 (USD).