I actually didn't realize that this was a put for young readers when I put the audiobook version on hold. I liked it anyhow! A very quick listen. I'd recommend this to older kids. ( )

After reading the picture book version of Gobi, the little dog with the big heart, I wanted to read this version. Dion Leonard came across Gobi while running a grueling 72 mile race, part of it through the Gobi Desert. When the little dog seemed to attach herself to Dion and run with her, he named her Gobi. The first part of this book describes the race, events that occurred, meeting Gobi and deciding to take her home to Edinburgh. The second part of the story is the difficulties Dion encountered trying to get Gobi home. Between the red tape, finding Gobi when she went missing and the culture of the area in China and their attitude toward dogs, it seemed like it was going to be an impossible task.

I enjoyed both parts of this book. The camaraderie the runners shared even though they were competing against each other was heartwarming. The dangerous situations and how they were solved were very interesting. In the second part, I felt Dion's pain when he could not bring Gobi home with him. When he found out Gobi was missing, I felt like crying along with him. I am an animal lover, but what Dion and his wife went through is amazing. The people he met that helped him along the way restores my belief in the goodness of others. This is a good book to read if you are an animal lover, a runner or sports enthusiast or just someone who wants to feel good about other people. A great book for a school or public library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. ( )

I reviewed the picture book of Gobi, which is a nice book for beginning readers (or earlier). The obvious difference between the two is the story. The picture book provides an overview of the story but simplified. The young reader's version goes more in-depth. I really enjoyed this read and think it would be a great addition to any young reader's library as well as in classroom libraries. Dion provides just enough details to give us an idea of what it was like to run the ultramarathon through the Gobi Desert. Wow, that alone is amazing. Then add to it the story of this little dog that joins his side during the run. Gobi embodied the fierceness and determination that was every runner in that marathon. Not only that, but she served as encouragement for Dion.

The trials and difficulties started when Dion decided to bring Gobi home, only to learn the little pup had gone missing. That's when a Kickstarter campaign showed how much the world wanted the little dog to go to her new home in Scotland. And the story continued! Groups of people helped in the search, journalists interviewed and spread the story worldwide. All in the hopes to find this pup. Can you believe a little furry thing could make such a huge impact?

If you have an early reader who loves books based on true stories, or those involving animals, this is definitely a must-read. Discover the strong bond that develops during the run and if Gobi makes it home. The book even has some colorful pictures of Dion and Gobi. After they read the story, help them go online to see the video about Gobi. It's a truly amazing story of a little dog with a big heart, lots of courage and endurance. Side note: 20th Century Fox is looking to bring this heartwarming story to the big screen.

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. ( )

Based on a true story, this detailed novel will captivate readers with a heartwarming story about a man, a dog and the desert.

Gobi won over Dion Leonard’s heart as he was running a multi-day marathon in the Gobi Desert and the story of how Gobi then became a part of Dion’s journey to the finish line and his family won over the world.

Leonard does a great job of creating a story that makes you feel as if you are running alongside him in the desert. The passages where it seems to come from Gobi’s point of view are cute and add a unique dimension to the story. The anecdotes of the runners helping each other and Gobi makes for some good lessons to remember and put into practice in your own life. You can’t help but cheer on Gobi’s determination to stay with the runners, feel glad when they finished the race so well and want to prance about with Gobi to celebrate.

This is one of those stories people will love reading because it’s so positive and upbeat with a real world happy ending and in this world where so much of our news and personal stories seem to end in heartache we need Gobi to inspire more of us. ( )