Pint Bottle Press, 2023
Paperback: $10.99
Genre: Children’s Middle Grade
Review by Emma C. Fox
How does an orphaned mutt become one of the most famous dogs in history? Mostly, as Diane R. Weber shows, by loyally serving his comrades and doing the next right thing.
In Stubby’s War, a wonderful book for middle-grade readers on up, Weber chronicles the adventures of the brave, beloved pit bull terrier who fought alongside his human companions in World War I and became the first dog to receive official rank in the U.S. Army. Although the story—told from Stubby’s perspective—is fictionalized, Weber has clearly done her research on the facts of Stubby’s life and the experiences of the 102nd Infantry Battalion in which he served.
Stubby fought in 17 battles, witnessing the horrors of trench warfare firsthand. Although he was gassed and struck by shrapnel, Sergeant Stubby never gave up. He helped to find and comfort wounded men, alerted his soldiers when poisonous gas was near, and even captured a German spy—by grabbing onto the seat of his pants and refusing to let go until the American troops discovered him!
Telling the story from Stubby’s perspective allows for a first-hand narrative that’s frank, compassionate, and often quite funny. He’s a mutt, after all, and the story is very much told from a dog-level view—a dog who’s attuned to all the smells and sounds of the battlefield and forest, needs to pee when nature calls, relishes bacon whenever he can get it, and thinks rats are fun to hunt.
Although Weber addresses the horrors of World War I with honesty, she doesn’t revel in the gore. Instead, she focuses on the camaraderie that Stubby and his human “pack” share—how the soldiers care for one another despite their differences, hold onto hope in the face of despair, and face their fears with courage.
Appendices at the back of the book give a pictorial overview of World War I. Weber also includes newspaper reports and photos of the real “Sergeant Stubby”—including how he “shook paws” with three U.S. Presidents and received a medal from General Pershing!
Though set against the dark backdrop of one of the bloodiest wars in history, Stubby’s War is a bright treasure of a book that will warm readers’ hearts and help them face their own battles with more courage and compassion.
Emma Fox lives in Birmingham, Alabama, where she tutors writing and tends to her three kids and an energetic border collie. She’s the author of several award-winning YA fantasy novels, including The Arrow and the Crown and The Carver and the Queen, and a contributor to various anthologies of short stories and poems, including The Lost Tales of Sir Galahad. Visit www.emmafoxauthor.com to learn more about her work and subscribe to her free author newsletter.
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