“Two puppies experience an
unexpected adventure in Tiner’s middle-grade reader. Bo meets Rico at a pet
store after being separated from his mother for the first time. The puppies
bond over their loneliness. Their chances of being adopted by a family are
thrown into disarray when a pair of thieves breaks into the store and steals
them both. Bo and Rico manage to escape but find themselves out on the streets
for the first time in their young lives. A junkyard dog named Tank teaches them
the ways of the streets. However, after Tank is unexpectedly adopted, Bo and
Rico once again find themselves on their own. Months pass before the twosome
happen upon Pearl, a pampered poodle who has been mistakenly left behind by her
owner, Margaret. The puppies’ new mission is to find Margaret and reunite her
with Pearl. Instead of concluding with Bo and Rico finding their own new homes,
however, the story ends with the pair returning to the streets and happily
reaffirming their friendship for one another. Tiner (Welcome Home, 2011) manages
to breathe life into the book’s four main characters; Tank is perhaps the most
memorable. The best scene in the book is one when Tank bonds with a
firefighter; in that moment, when he “leans into the man’s embrace,” he transitions from Bo
and Rico’s street-tough mentor to an average dog that needs a home. Still, the
narrative could use tightening. There are moments when Bo seems to be the main
character of the story and others when he and Rico seem to share the spotlight.
The book is divided into two rather disparate storylines: the puppies’ youth
with Tank and the adventure with Pearl. Considering the reading level of the
text, the narrative would likely be better served if split apart into smaller,
more easily digestible chapter books. Furthermore, the book’s theme of
friendship as being more important than anything else is contradicted by the
importance the narrative places on Tank finding a home and Pearl being reunited
with her owner. The reader is led to believe that Bo and Rico’s story will
conclude similarly, but it does not. An entertaining read that may leave young
readers confused.”-Kirkus Review
Author's note: The story of Bo and Rico is continued in Welcome Home.
This review was confusing to me until I figured out why the reviewer didn't get the ending of the book and thought it would be confusing to young readers. The book was about friendship either between animals and/or human and animals. I wondered if the reviewer has ever heard the expression, "man's best friend". Tank and Pearl's best friends were human but Bo and Rico's best friend was each other. I thought it refreshing that a dogs best friend could be with another dog. Having read "Welcome Home" before reading "Friends for life", I knew what happened to Bo & Rico as adult dogs. "Friends for Life" told their story as puppies. But I guess this reviewer didn't know this and that is why they ended their review so oddly. I loved "Friends for Life" and I thought it was a good book standing on its own. But I also realize that having read "Welcome Home" first helped me have a good feeling about how "Friends for Life" ended. I did totally agree with this reviewer when they mentioned Tank. I loved that dog. All in all "Friends for Life" is a wonderful book and I hope this review doesn't scare off readers from reading it. You will be glad you did.
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