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Strongheart: Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen by Candace Fleming (A Book Review)

  • thenerdyhammy
  • Jun 20
  • 3 min read

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Ages: 8 -12

Description: Middle grade novel

Grade Level: 3 - 7

Pages: 256

Published: 2018


Location: USA

Time Period: 1920s



Blurb:


“When movie director Larry Trimble travels to Berlin searching for his next big star — a dog! — he finds Etzel, a fierce, highly trained three-year-old German shepherd police dog. Larry sees past the snarls and growls and brings Etzel back to Hollywood, where he is renamed Strongheart. Along with screenwriter Jane Murfin, Larry grooms his protégé to be a star of the silver screen — and he succeeds, starting with Strongheart’s first film, The Love Master, which is released in 1921. Strongheart is soon joined by a leading lady, a German shepherd named Lady Julie, and becomes a sensation.


But when Strongheart is accused of attacking a girl, he must prove his innocence — and it will take his best acting skills to do so,” (Taken from the author’s official website)



Review:


This book was such a sweet read. Set in the world of 1920s Hollywood, readers will learn of Strongheart’s journey from a mistreated, aggressive German police dog to an American silent movie star. They will also learn a little bit about the world of filmmaking. The book does a wonderful job of humanizing Strongheart and making him a relatable character. The illustrated pages are also a unique treat (a blend of picture book and chapter book) with full page illustrations sometimes appearing without text to emphasize emotion or the significance of an event. 


Be sure to check out the information included near the end of the book. “The Real Strongheart” displays black and white photographs of Strongheart and the significant people (and animals!) in his life. There is also a section titled “The Truth Behind This Tale” where the author separates fact from fiction and includes extra biographical information including a list of all the movies Strongheart starred in!


Readers who enjoyed Call of the Wild by Jack London, who love dogs, or who are interested in the history of film should definitely pick this book up. 


Note: One of the links recommended in “The Truth Behind This Tale” is no longer available.



Related Resources:




  • Slang of the 1920's

    This alphabetized list of 1920s slang compiled by the University of Oregon has a lot of fun words (some that have stuck around to this day). Just be aware there are terms included that refer to sexual content, drinking, or insults. There are also some that reflect the popular views at the time (such as referring to a engagement ring as a “Handcuff.”)



Content in Summary: 



The biggest issue here is animal cruelty (in the beginning of the book) and some violence. Otherwise, this is a very clean book. There is some name-calling (but no cursing) and in terms of romance, only kissing is mentioned.



Content in Detail:



  • Language

    • Someone listening to the radio orders the presenter to shut up and calls them a “gobstoppin’ old buttinsky!” (pg. 212)


  • Romance, Nudity, or Sexual References/Content: 

    • “Ingratiatingly” and “alluring” are adjectives used to describe the leading lady dog.

    • When describing how two dogs interact, the text declares that “Their love scenes sizzled.” (pg. 152) “‘At least somebody’s getting kissed around here,’ Jane muttered.” (pg. 152)

    • A man kisses a woman “Smoooooch!” (pg. 227)


  • Violence or Harm: 

    • Graphic animal abuse

      • Strongheart, as a puppy, is beaten and kicked by his first trainer. The same trainer also yanks on a leather collar, attached to a leash, to choke Strongheart if the dog misinterpreted commands. (pg. 10-11)

      • Other dogs attack Strongheart and there is a description of his injuries: “His fur stood out in little tufts where the dog’s teeth had mauled him. Blood ran down his leg, and his shoulder burned.” (pg. 20 - 23) 

      • A dog leaps for a man’s throat, but there is no harm. (pg. 39)

      • Strongheart is described as a “killer” and how he “will tear your hand off before he’ll let you pet him.” (pg. 42) 

      • “.. a few more seconds and he’d have ripped my throat out.” (pg. 194)

    • Dog is accused of swallowing a little girl.


  • +Other: 

    • Graphic animal abuse (detailed under Violence or Harm) brutally transforms Strongheart from a puppy to a police dog. The text describes Strongheart crying because of this abuse. (pg. 11)

    • A little girl is forced to participate in a scheme by her greedy uncle and aunt to frame Strongheart.

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