Cracker!: The Best Dog in Vietnam

By Cynthia Kadohata

CRACKER IS ONE OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY'S MOST VALUABLE WEAPONS:

a German shepherd trained to sniff out bombs, traps, and the enemy. The fate of entire platoons rests on her keen sense of smell. She's a Big Deal, and she likes it that way. Sometimes Cracker remembers when she was younger, and her previous owner would feed her hot dogs and let her sleep in his bed. That was nice, too.

Rick Hanski is headed to Vietnam. There, he's going to whip the world and prove to his family and his sergeant -- and everyone else who didn't think he was cut out for war -- wrong. But sometimes Rick can't help but wonder that maybe everyone else is right. Maybe he should have just stayed at home and worked in his dad's hardware store.

When Cracker is paired with Rick, she isn't so sure about this new owner. He's going to have to prove himself to her before she's going to prove herself to him. They need to be friends before they can be a team, and they have to be a team if they want to get home alive.

Told in part through the uncanny point of view of a German shepherd, Cracker! is an action-packed glimpse into the Vietnam War as seen through the eyes of a dog and her handler. It's an utterly unique powerhouse of a book by the Newbery Medal-winning author of Kira-Kira.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Release date: Jun 20, 2008
• ISBN: 9781439107096

Cynthia Kadohata

Cynthia Kadohata is the author of the Newbery Medal–winning book Kira-Kira, the National Book Award winner The Thing About Luck, the Jane Addams Peace Award and PEN America Award winner Weedflower, Cracker!, Outside Beauty, A Million Shades of Gray, Half a World Away, Checked, A Place to Belong, Saucy, and several critically acclaimed adult novels, including The Floating World. She lives with her dogs and hockey-playing son in California. Visit her online at CynthiaKadohata.com.

Reviews for Cracker!

[jadedog13 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Cracker is one of the United States Army's most valuable weapons: a German Shepherd trained to sniff out bombs, traps, and the enemy. The fate of entire platoons rests on her keen sense of smell. She's a Big Deal, and she likes it that way. Sometimes Cracker remembers when she was younger, and her previous owner would feed her hot dogs and let her sleep in his bed. That was nice too.

I knew what I was getting myself into just by looking at the cover. A dog (German Shepherd) in the Vietnam War.... Let's just say I had a feeling I would be crying before the book was over. And of course, I did cry. But it wasn't all sad.

We have had several German Shepherds as part of our family and they are amazing dogs, protective and very smart and sweet too. I love reading books from the dog's point of view. And this book does that well. The dog sees what happens in a different way than a person would and her thoughts about what happens are quite poignant and sometimes humorous.

One of the sad things about this book was how during the Vietnam War, these dogs (who are credited with saving approximately 10,000 human lives) were considered military equipment. At the end of the war, the majority of the dogs who survived were either euthanized or given to the South Vietnamese army (their fate remains unknown). The good thing is that after the Vietnam War, military policy changed and war dogs were allowed to come home. Today the policy is known as No Military Working Dog Left Behind.

Reading this book was part of my Historical Fiction genre of the month project. I do believe this book is not made for elementary school students and I am suggesting we move it to the Middle School library. There isn't much descriptive violence or bloodshed, especially considering this is a war based book. But, I just think it will appeal more to older readers.

Recommended to:
Students in grades 6 and up who like historical fiction or stories about wars. It is important that they know that the story can be quite sad at times.

[librarian1204 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I learned a lot about the dog scout program from this book. Told by the dog as well as the man. Relationships.

[sgrame_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Willie's german shepard Cracker has to find a new home when the family gets relocated to a small apartment. As much as he hates saying good-bye, the best option is to let Cracker be a work dog in the US army sniffing out bombs as they fight in Vietnam. After much training, Cracker and her new owner Rick are ready to head out to the war. Rick is sure she will be the best dog in Vietnam and he is ready to tackle the world. The world of war is a lot harsher than Rick imagined, however, with injury and death a part of everyday life. Rick and Cracker learn the power of persistence in this heart-rending story of a soldier and his dog. Suitable for grades 6 & up, but a warning- it is emotional.

[Kelly Denton Young · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

it's awesome

[starrgarzoni8 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Cracker was a really good book. The author was really intrusting.

[2jamiehorton2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Cracker is a heart warming book about a dog named Cracker and his two owners Willie and Rick. Cracker was originally raised by Wille, who was about 12 years old, with his parents. Cracker and Willie were bestfriends. One day Willie's parents told Willie that the apartment that they were going to be moving into had a no dog policy. Willie's parents were running low on money. That ment that he would have to give Cracker away. Willie decided he wanted to give Cracker away to serve in Vietnam so he culd serve his country. Rick was in his twenties and he was supposed to take over his dads hardware store, but instead he wanted to join the war. Thats how he met Cracker. He ended up being a dog handler and his dog was Cracker. At first Cracker didn't want to ovey Rick, but then they became friends. One day they were fighting, a bomb went off and it got them seperated. Cracker was lost for a few weeks and thats when Rick realized that Cracker and him had a special bond. They were best pals. Finally some other soldiers found her. They finally got to go home together. Willie missed Cracker and Cracker missed Willie, but Cracker didn't want to go home with Willie. Cracker wanted to go home with Rick. So they both hopped into Rick's car and Rick gave Cracker a peice of weiner and they drove home. Cracker was deffinately the best dog in Vietnam.

[meerkat4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think the book was based, even though it is fiction, on actual real accounts given in regards to dog service in vietnam. If that is true, then it certainly gives some insight into on of the more unknown aspects of the war (as defined by the general knowledge one gains growing up about Vietnam, not something you hear about to often). it was really impressive how intelligent the Cracker was. I wish my dog was 1/10th that smart! I think Cracker knew around 100 words or something? I can't remember specifically. Perhaps my favorite aspect, other than the historical insight one gains through fiction, was the writing style. the switching of perspectives really allowed the reader to gain a good perpective of the relationship generated through experiences between Rick and Cracker. All in all a very fun book. Keep in mind this book doesn't associate itself with any political ideology in regards to the war, its just a story. I would recommend it to a young reader.

[bookcat27 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cracker is a German shepherd dog that is trained to sniff out bombs in Vietnam. Rick Hanski is Cracker's handler and both will have to rely on each other if they want to make it home alive from Vietnam. Rick makes friends at the training camp where he and Cracker are put through special training. Then they're off the Vietnam with the other dogs and their handlers. Many adventures await them and on their last outing Cracker gets separated from Rick and has to decide what to do. Go back to the camp that she knows or try to make it back to the airport were they first arrived in Vietnam.

[karenamorg · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cynthia Kadohata’s story of the relationship during the Vietnam War between an American soldier, Rick Hanski, and his military dog, a German Shepard named Cracker, powerfully captures the intensity of feeling between man and dog on the battlefield. This well-researched novel (in the Acknowledgements section the author discusses her research and includes photos of the servicemen she interviewed and their beloved Army dogs) is told at times from Cracker’s point of view. As contrived as that sounds, it is a forceful device that underscores the emotional bond that often developed between the superbly trained dogs and their handlers. These dogs sniffed out bombs, traps and enemy soldiers. The scenes in which Cracker is entrusted with getting men through the jungle safely are exceptionally suspenseful and filled with information about the war-torn Southeast Asian countryside. The dialogue and camaraderie among the soldiers rings of authenticity, and the reader learns a great deal about the training and talents of these special dogs.The author explains in her notes that at the war’s end in the mid-1970s the Army dogs were either euthanized or given to the South Vietnamese Army—as Army “equipment” they were no longer deemed useful. That practice was changed directly following the Vietnam War, and Army dogs now are often retired back to the States. This is not a political book. The focus is the reciprocal acuity with which these dogs knew their handlers and vice versa. Yet it was haunting to be reminded that soldiers returning from Vietnam often changed clothes on the plane to avoid hostility from their fellow Americans at airports and other public places. Target audience grades 5-8.Kadohata, C. (2007). Cracker!: The best dog in Vietnam. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

[skyler2sims · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a good action packed book about a dog at war. the dog is taken from its home and goes to training. Crackers partener is a a young man who enlisted to fight in the war. Cracker and her partener are contantly attacked and later cracker is captured and her owner is injured and forced to go back to the US.This is a good action book that sill be good from beginnig to end.

[missboyer3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

CRACKER IS ONE OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY'S MOST VALUABLE WEAPONS:a German shepherd trained to sniff out bombs, traps, and the enemy. The fate of entire platoons rests on her keen sense of smell. She's a Big Deal, and she likes it that way. Sometimes Cracker remembers when she was younger, and her previous owner would feed her hot dogs and let her sleep in his bed. That was nice, too.Rick Hanski is headed to Vietnam. There, he's going to whip the world and prove to his family and his sergeant — and everyone else who didn't think he was cut out for war — wrong. But sometimes Rick can't help but wonder that maybe everyone else is right. Maybe he should have just stayed at home and worked in his dad's hardware store.When Cracker is paired with Rick, she isn't so sure about this new owner. He's going to have to prove himself to her before she's going to prove herself to him. They need to be friends before they can be a team, and they have to be a team if they want to get home alive.

[wkim17 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of the best books I have read because it has a lot of action and a lot of information about war and dogs. The book is about a dog and its trainer that have to work together to make it out of Vietnam alive.

[david031 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The novel, Cracker! The Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata encompassea the theme of war can change the lives of anything. In the beginning Willie strugles with the problem of giving Cracker his dog away, because of the land owners rule about animals. When WIllie went to school his parents gave Cracker away to the army in Vietnam. Throughout the story Rick a new recruit in the army was assined to Cracker as a dog handler. When he was first assined to Cracker, she hated Rick and later on during in training Cracker got to spend time with him and sstarted to like him. The first time in war with Rick and Cracker were the best, Cracker siffed out a booby trap and a sniper and saved many lives. Near the end of the story Rick and Cracker got separated by an explosion; when separated Rick's leg was injured and Cracker was lost. By the end of the story RIck was sent home and Cracker was found and sent home also. Rick got excited and contacted WIllie Cracker's first owner and whrn Cracker was returned home They were both very proud. RIck and Cracker both learned that war is a curle thing and that their relationship together will never be separated. (308)

[nikhilsuri · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a really great book! At first it is pretty sad, but after your keep reading, it is an amazing read. I would suggest this book to any dog lovers and people who like a good read!

[crochetbunnii · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Personal Response:I appreciated the multiple perspectives and how, in the beginning, the narratives of Rick and Cracker are disjointed and confused. As the two get to know each other, their narratives become more streamlined and the narrative flows more smoothly between their perspectives. There is a definite click when the two start to understand and rely on one another.I also enjoyed how the two narratives fit together, but their perspectives were still different. Rick distrusted all Vietnamese, while Cracker couldn't tell one human from another. Cracker was also motivated to accomplish her tasks for the simple approval of Rick, while Rick understood the danger they were in but was still ultimately motived by the approval of his fellow soldiers in the field. I like that Cracker's almost human-like narrative is interrupted by occasional outbursts at an animal or her confusion at not being able to totally grasp the situation. Kadohata makes a strong statement about the reliance on dogs for important missions during wartime and the bond formed between handler and dog as well as the struggle and loss handlers felt when they were unable to bring their dogs home with them. Kadohata mentions in the Author's Note about the Vietnam Dog Handlers Association and their work to make sure that dogs working in wartime are brought home and it made me interested to learn more about the stories of the handlers and their efforts to ensure the safe return of their four-legged comrades.Curricular Connections:This book would make for an interesting discussion about how we relate to and treat animals. A general discussion of the Vietnam War or discussion on dog training and how dogs have aided both in combat and in domestic settings could take place in a classroom or book group setting. Having trained dogs come in to meet and show off their skills or a visit from a Vietnam veteran would give life to this fictional story.

[jesouhaite · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great story about the friendship/partnership between 17-year-old Rick Hanski and Cracker, the German Shepard he’s paired with. This story is told by both of them and their journey from training camp to the front lines in the jungles of Vietnam. This story beautifully portrays the intelligence and service dogs can provide given the chance.Ages 12+

[cbjames_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I believe stories about dogs should come with a disclaimer stating whether or not the dog lives. If you read stories about dogs, you probably understand my position. While I can take dark, dystopian science fiction, stories with psychotic serial killers as protagonists, pain and suffering piled on top of angst and despair, if the dog dies, I do not want to read the book. This is not a rational position, I know. I cannot justify it; I simply acknowledge it.So. If you want to know if whether or not the dog dies before you read Cracker, simply leave your contact information in a comment. I'll be happy to let you know in an email. No spoilers here. Cracker!The Best Dog in Vietnam by Cynthia Kadohata has been very popular with my students this year. Hardly a day goes by that I don't see at a student with a copy of it in their hands during lunch or study hall. So, I took a copy home over winter break and read it. I can see why it's so popular.Cracker is a German Shephard, happily living with Willie, a boy who lives with his mother and father in the Chicago area in the early 1970's. When Willie's father loses his job and the family is forced to move into an apartment, Cracker must find a new home. Instead of surrendering her to a shelter, Willie gives her to the army which is looking for dogs it can train to sniff out booby traps in Vietnam. The book follows Cracker through boot-camp where she is assigned to Rick Hanski, a young man who volunteered for the army. Rick and Cracker train together as a team and are sent to serve in the closing days of the American involvement in the Vietnam War. Though Cracker's performance in Vietnam is heroic by any standards, her life is threatened when the army decides not to bring the sniffer dogs home at the end of the war. Most were put-down; some were assigned to the South Vietnamese army. Rick, who is sent home early due to a wound, begins a letter writing campaign to everyone he can think of hoping to get Cracker back. Cracker! is not high art. Kadohata is interested in telling her young audience a good story and tell a good story she does. Her characters are three dimensional enough and entirely believable, even when we are reading Cracker's thoughts and feelings. Ms. Kadohata's writing is crisp, clean, to the point. While very good, it never gets in the way of the plot. Her depiction of the war is exciting rather than disturbing. She does mention the bad stuff, but the book never leaves the realm of an adventure tale to become an anti-war novel. In fact, I found it a bit pro-war myself. While no one will ever confuse it with The Call of the Wild, in the end, Cracker! is completely safe for kids.If you find the child in your life looking it over on the shelf in the bookshop or the local library, don't hesitate to get it for them. I don't think it will change anyone's life, but it will certainly keep everyone reading through to the end.

[mrfclass · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is about a dog named cracker. She is sent away from his owner Willy, to fight in Vietnam. She gets a new owner Rick Hanski who wants to prove himself to his family. Cracker and Rick Hanski both have to work hard if they want to survive. I would recommend it to people who like dogs, want to learn about the Vietnam, or just like an adventure.

[librarymediaman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a fascinating work of historical fiction. Cracker is one of many dogs trained to serve in the Vietnam war to detect bombs and other hazards. The book follows Cracker's early life, training, and experiences in Vietnam.

[lhoward04 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a wonderful book by a great new author. The book is written more for older kids, middle school or high school. It has a lot of factual information that will keep the kids interested. The book is about using German Shephards during the Vietnam War.

[emitnick_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I listened to this on CD - Kimberly Farr does an excellent job of bringing this amazing book to life. Cracker has her own, appropriately doggy point of view as a German Shepherd who is sent to Vietnam to sniff out booby traps, enemy combatants, and other dangers. Her handler is a young soldier named Rick, who is wonderfully sensible, if not hugely introspective. Willy, Cracker's previous owner, is the young boy who loves Cracker so much that he sends 37 letters to Rick, asking about Cracker's well-being. Cracker and Rick's adventures in Vietnam are intense and heart-wrenching, but best is the bond that grows between them. A fabulous book!

[kc9333 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very interesting and action packed read.......we are shown a peek at the Vietnam War hrough the eyes of Cracker and his handler. Well done, but due to violence recommended for middle school kids on up.

[softball35 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A strong relationship between man and dog.

[lindgoldman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you like dog stories you will love this. Rick, who is not even especially a dog lover, is trained to work with a German Shepard who is being trained to sniff out bombs. They have a rough start but soon become very close. Realistic war scenes bring the Vietnam war to life. Great story >