Puppy mills are a grave concern for anyone sensitive to the plight of mistreated animals. These facilities usually keep breeding dogs and offspring in horrendous conditions in small, dirty cages. The object is to produce and sell as many puppies as possible. Profit, not the health of the dogs, is the main concern. Dogs rescued from these "businesses" are often in unspeakable physical condition.

Author Laurie Halse Anderson addresses this serious subject in Fight for Life, the first book in her Vet Volunteer series of juvenile novellas about animal issues. Through a fictional story, she educates young readers on the plight of dogs in puppy mills, and shows how the efforts of a few devoted people can help.


The Story

Eleven year-old Maggie lives with her veterinarian grandmother, Dr. Mac. She loves dogs and volunteers in the pet clinic. When a host of recently purchased puppies floods the clinic with serious illnesses, suspicions arise that they are from a puppy mill.

Three of Maggie’s school mates join the clinic as volunteers to help with the influx of patients. Maggie feels threatened by the inclusion of other volunteers on her turf. This is further complicated when her cousin, Zoe, comes to live with her, stealing all of the attention.

After the loss of one of the sick puppies, Maggie hunts downs the identity of the puppy mill operator. Realizing she can do little on her own, she swallows her pride and elicits the help of the other student volunteers. Together, they research laws about puppy mills and finger the perpetrator for the police.

But will their efforts put the guy out of business? And will the dogs and puppies survive their horrible conditions?


Character

The character of Maggie carries the story. She deals with multiple conflicts, including her failing grades, conflicts with her cousin, and being blocked out of activities at the clinic. Though the author never places a name on Maggie’s condition, it’s clear that she suffers from dyslexia or some similar ailment. She constantly reverses things. This almost causes a disaster when she writes down the wrong amount of food for a dog that almost experiences bloat as a result of overeating. When Maggie finally realizes the mistake, she takes full responsibility for it.
Maggie is a strong character with a lot of determination. Though she struggle with reading, she knows she must perform research if she is to find a way to close down the puppy mill operator. She’s afraid to ask for help at first, but her desire to help is so strong that she overcomes her anxiety. She never gives up, even when it looks as if the puppy mill operator may go free.

The other characters aren’t as well-defined as they become in subsequent books in the series. This first book belongs to Maggie and Dr. Mac. Dr. Mac is a strong, capable, and concerned character who jumps quickly into action. It’s nice to see an older female presented in such a strong, positive light in a children’s book.


What the Story Teaches

The book is full of information concerning veterinary care, animal handling, how puppy mills operate, and laws governing breeding and selling of animals. The library is featured here, since Maggie and her friends must research state laws regarding the operation of breeding facilities.

Dr. Mac writes articles for a local newspaper, and in an afterword to the book, author Anderson presents one entitled “Puppy Proof Your Home.” It’s a good factual summary of what dangers lurk for puppies in the normal household. It ends with a list of symptoms that could indicate a puppy needs veterinary care.

What I like about this book and the others in the series is the way in which the author weaves the factual information about pet care into an interesting and sometimes suspenseful story line.


Final Thoughts

Fight For Life is the first of 6 books currently featured in the Vet Volunteers series. It does not have to be read before the others. Each story stands on its own and provides enough detail in the first chapter to adequately introduce all of the characters.

The book is easy to read and the subject matter is quite appropriate for 9 to 12 year-olds. (But then, books about animals attract readers of all ages, don’t they?) The chapters run 8-10 pages and the story is only 135 pages long. This is a perfect book for juveniles transitioning to longer novels.

With an interesting plot, good emotional content, and solid factual information, this is a wonderful book for any middle grade reader.


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The complete Vet Volunteers series to date:
Fight for Life
Homeless
Say Good-Bye
Trickster
Manatee Blues
Storm Rescue


Recommended: Yes