"Castle in the Mist: Planet of the Dogs, Volume 2"

HOME SCHOOL BOOK REVIEW

Book: Castle in the Mist: Planet of the Dogs, Volume 2

Author: Robert J. McCarty

Illustrator: Stella Mustanoja McCarty

Publisher: Barking Planet Productions, 2007

ISBN-13: 978-0-9786928-1-0

Related websites: www.planetofthedogs.net (series), http://barkingplanet.typepad.com (blog)

Language level: 1 (nothing objectionable)

Reading Level: Ages 6-12

Rating: 5 stars (EXCELLENT)

Reviewed by: Wayne S. Walker

          McCarty, Robert J.  Castle in the Mist: Planet of the Dogs, Volume 2 (published in 2007 by Barking Planet Productions, 75 Clifton Ave., Marblehead, MA  01945).  Do you think that it is possible for dogs to stop a war?  The dogs from The Planet of the Dogs are back!  Now that a year of peace has existed between the people of Stone City and the people of Green Valley, a new threat has arisen.  Prince Ukko of the Black Hawk tribes does not like the fact that King Bik of Stone City has given up warfare, so he has Bik’s children, Nik and Nikki, kidnapped and brought to his Black Hawk Castle in the mist on Lake Ladok.  Bik is prepared to turn his men back into soldiers and to lead them in battle against the Black Hawk tribes.  Will the dogs who have come to earth to bring happiness and harmony to mankind be able to do anything to rescue the children and avert fighting?

     I said in my review of McCarty’s Planet of the Dogs (Volume I), “Author Robert J. McCarty has created a charming fantasy-allegory that can be read and understood on at least two different levels.  Children will enjoy the story about dogs who come from another planet to help people on earth.  But under the surface are the important messages of friendship, love, loyalty, and how to overcome evil with good.”  The same things are true as the story continues in Castle in the Mist.  The book is well written and easy to read.  It will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next, and, as with Volume I, leads to a satisfying conclusion.