A dog's devotion, courage, and intelligence stand between two French teens and despair. Love and determination sustain the threesome as they flee the tidal wave of war. A story of hardship, peril, resilience, and hope.
Abby is the Durand family dog, a companion for fifteen-year-old Marcel and his sister, Geneviève. Marcel is plagued by doubts about his courage as he approaches military age. Geneviève has severe pneumonia and is convinced she will soon die. Evacuation is ordered as the German army barrels toward their home village. The doctor tending to Geneviève warns their mother that the rigors of evacuation will kill the young girl on the eve of her thirteenth birthday. Their mother waits until the last moment to leave their home in search of shelter.
A disastrous escape leaves them orphaned and alone.
Marcel and Geneviève must find a distant relative, Cousin Henri, who lives near Paris. However, they have never met him, are not sure of his last name, and don't know his address. Abby is the key—Henri is her former owner, though she begs to differ on the "owner" concept. If anyone can find him, she can. The teens confront their worst fears while seeking refuge amid the chaos of war, armed only with their faith in Abby.
John F. Andrews is the award-winning author Our Desperate Hour, An American Nurse in Paris, and Dogs Don't Cry. He writes from the perspective of a military service family member, critical care physician, and fire department EMT to craft unique stories based on real events. Andrews has been a "dog boy" since his youth, with a particular love of border collies. The character Abby is based on one of his border collies and provides a dog's point of view throughout the novel. Dogs Don't Cry shows the plight of French children seeking refuge from one of the most horrible conflicts in human history. His novels are stories of struggle, survival, hope, resilience, and love.
"This is often a profoundly forlorn story, but not a hopeless one, and it is as emotionally affecting as it is historically authentic. A remarkably sensitive depiction of the teenage psyche under unthinkable pressure. GET IT recommendation." — Kirkus Reviews
"The novel is filled with action and suspense, from airplanes shooting at civilians to deserting French soldiers attempting to loot abandoned towns. It skillfully captures the feel of the time, with details of cars, medical treatments, and war atrocities, creating a powerful sense of life then, especially for civilians. Abby's humor balances the story's pathos with playfulness, and character development, especially Marcel's is authentic and moving.With rich characters and a unique perspective that explores lesser-known aspects of WWI, Dogs Don't Cry is a powerful and entertaining read. STARRED REVIEW." — BlueInk Review
"An effectively engaging and deftly crafted blend of adventure, suspense, and coming of age during the chaotic turmoil of World War I, Dogs Don't Cry is part of author John F. Andrew's exceptional 'Novels of the Great War' series and a truly memorable read from beginning to end. A prized pick for personal reading lists and community library World War I historical fiction collections . . ." — Midwest Book Review
"An absolutely exemplary story; it was difficult to not pick this story as my winner. This story is a must-read." — Judge, 32nd Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards
"Dogs Don't Cry is a poignant and heartwarming novel about the plight of French refugee children during World War I . . . Andrews' description of their journey and the hardships they face is powerful. I highly recommend this book." — Vicki Kondelik, Historical Novel Society Magazine
"In this charming, touching story, the kids and the dog are brave, clever heroes. Adding to the fun, we get to see the adventure from the dog's Point of View. It's beautifully written by an author who's expert in the time and place. Highly recommended for teen and pre-teen readers, plus adults." — Margaret Rodenberg, Author of Finding Napoleon
"This was undoubtedly the most heartwarming book I have read in The Great War/World War 2 genre. It was overall an uplifting book written with sensitivity. Oh, there was sadness which brought the tears & giggles/laughter throughout the book. I will not spill any beans, but trust me, once you read it, you'll thank me. If you are a dog lover, this is a must read book. At this time this was a perfect read for me." — Amazon reader, Amazon Reader Reviews
