The Trouble with Tuck

Whoever said that dogs were man's best friend was sadly mistaken. Sure, men can truly benefit from the friendship of a canine; but canines can also change the life of a female - drastically. Especially when his name is Friar Tuck, and it's up to you to protect him from the cruel world that has suddenly fallen upon him. Helen was just nine-years-old when her father came home with a chubby, wriggling, golden furball. A Labrador that was just for her, to hopefully help her to come out of her shell a bit. As a child with coke-bottle glasses, braces, and frizzy hair, it was no wonder that Helen suffered from self-esteem issues, and it was her parents belief that a new friend to take care of would help her adjust to the world. Quickly christened Friar Tuck - after a character in Robin Hood - Helen doted on the handsome Lab. He awaited her arrival from school, spent all night standing watch over his precious girl, and even put his own life on the line two different times, just to rescue Helen from daunting, life-threatening situations. He was Helen's knight-in-shining-armor no matter what. Now, however, it is time for Helen to repay the favor, and act as Tuck's knight-in-shining-armor. His personal cheerleader. His guide through the dark shadows. Now 1956, thirteen-year-old Helen is forced to face the greatest challenge of all: coming to terms with Tuck's deteriorating eyesight. No one is quite sure when Tuck began to go blind, but the light likely began to fail for the three-year-old playful canine long before he crashed through the screen door while chasing some howling cats. From then on, Helen and her family are thrust into attempting to cope with Tuck's new handicap, and assisting him in adjusting to the new challenges he will surely be encountering. Helen, however, is affected the most. Tuck brought her out of her private bubble, and made her much more confident, and she is determined in doing the same for him. Together, Helen and Tuck work alongside one another to change Tuck's world forever as they know it, and turn the current tragedy into a triumph for the whole family. As the proud owner of a blind cat, and a cat with one eye, I always find it fascinating to indulge in stories that discuss characters who are owned by animals with disabilities, which is why THE TROUBLE WITH TUCK instantly appealed to me. Theodore Taylor has done a wonderful job of weaving a story that is simple, and easy to follow, yet unique, and impossible to put down. Helen is a delightful character, whose compassion and determination to assist Tuck in leading a normal life is refreshing, and remarkable; while Tuck's ability to smile in the face of adversity, and face every new challenge head-on, makes the pair awe-inspiring and lovable. A must-have for animal lovers! Erika Sorocco Freelance Reviewer

This is a wonderful story of a yound girls love for her dog, and her devotion to making his life easier during some tring times. Helen has had Tuck since he was just a puppy, and she has loved him from the first moment she held him. When Helen and her family discover that Tuch is going blind Helen is scared for her friend and will do anything in her power to protect him and keep his with her.Helen's love for Tuck is one of a kind, and it is the one reason I loved this book so much. I think this is a ownderful novel that was beautifully written for children, but has something in it that even adults could stand to learn. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if this one became a made for TV movie if it h asn't already.

Helen is a girl who comes from a family who lived in the 1920's. Her father came home one after noon with a yellow Labrador, and gave the dog to Helen and said that the dog is hers. She named him Tuck. Tuck was Helens dog and it was all up to Helen to care for Tuck. After a few years, Tuck started having problems, and they found out he was going blind. Helen did everything she could in her power to help Tuck, she even went as far as trying to find a seeing eye dog for Tuck! This is a great story for anyone who loves dogs, and a great way to see how a child can care for an animal so much.

This was a wonderful book with an inspiring story of a little girl and her dog. I didn't think I would like it at first...I had trouble getting into it, but once I got started, I couldn't put it down! I would recommend this book to readers of all ages. It is a great story that can be enjoyed by everyone--especially pet lovers! Any pet lover would understand Helen and the lengths that she would go to in order to keep Tuck happy. I felt that this story had an original ending...there was a bit of foreshadowing to give hints to the ending, but other than that, I would've never expected it to end that way. I really liked this book, and I can really relate to it, because I have a yellow lab. I can't imagine what Helen was going through. I think it is also inspiring for children to know that they can make a difference, and all it took was one determined little girl to make a difference in that dog's life. Helen is a little girl with a big heart. This story almost seems like nonfiction, because it is very believable and could very possibly happen. It would be a good book for a child that is encountering a similar situation to read. It would probably be good for any pet lover whose pet is ill. It is sad, yet inspiring, with a wonderful ending. Once you pick up this book, you'll have to finish it before you put it down!

This is one of the best books I've ever read! It's about a girl who trains a German Shepherd, Lady Daisy, to be a guide dog for her blind yellow Lab, Tuck. I'm not just saying this because German Shepherds are my favorite breed- I just thought it was an exceptional book!