I read this book when I was in third grade (25 years ago). Unlike many books I read as a child, I've never re-read this but have always meant to. Part of the reason I've never read it is that I always forget the title. Someone on my children's literature list knew the book and I made it a point to write it down right away. The other reason I haven't re-read it as an adult is that I've never come across a used copy at a yard sale, book store, etc. Maybe nobody ever wants to part with theirs! Honestly, all I remember from reading this book was it is about a lost dog. But it made such an impression on me as a child. It really moved me in the way that Black Beauty moved me. And the memory of the feelings the story envoked have lasted with me always. I look forward to finally re-visiting this little gem.

I first read this book in junior high school, some 25 years ago, and it affected me deeply then as much as now. A wonderful book for children of all ages to learn compassion for animals, it will make you cry with both sadness and joy for all the trials that little Candy goes through. I am so pleased to finally have my own copy from Amazon.com and will definitely use it in my classroom as a teacher.

I read this book over 20 years ago and was reminded of it after talking about books that effected our hearts with a few friends. Every child should read this!

I had this book read to me by my 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Reed. It is my favorite book of all time, and the story is fascinating. Even now, while in college, I still remember how often I would read this book as a child. However, there was only one copy at my elementary school library, so I have been unable to find this book--until now. Thanks to Amazon, they found a copy for me and it's on its way to me now!! I'm thankful I'll be able to read this book to my children of an incredible tale of a child-hood must-have book!

I read this book aloud to my sixth grade reading class. They loved it, and always wanted to hear more. Its also a great way to introduce students to some of the history of China, Japan and US involvement in the war there.

Boys can be picky readers, so I always take notes if they actually love a book. My 8 year old carried this book everywhere and told be about it every night for a week. Besides Redwall or Harry Potter, this is the first book he has raved about.

I told my young son about what a good book this was when I read it growing up, encouraging him to read it as well. He too enjoyed it, and I read it again in my fifties. Excellent book, would certainly encourage children to read it. Now in his teens, we still use a memorable quote from the book, "the heart understands without words".

I LIKED THE BOOK SHADRACH!I LIKED DAVIE BECAUSE HE WAS BRAVE TO CATCH THE RAT.I LIKED THE BOOK BECAUSEI LIKE ANIMALS.FROM THE START OF THE BOOK I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BORING.WHEN I READ IT IT WAS GREAT.

I read this book over the summer and felt my fourth graders would enjoy it. It offered a counterbalance to the fast action books they are used to. I realized it must be a dated style because of the absence of t.v. and other diversions we are unfortunately accustomed to. I recommend children being able to be exposed to a very well written, nurturing book. Actually, the children probably had to use more imagination while reading than in contemporary novels.

I was browsing throw the library to find a book for myself when i found the book shadrach. At first i didn't realy care for it until i started skimming throw the pages. To a kid like me it looked easy to read, but when i started reading it i couldnt stop. It was like the harry potter books when you just cant stop reading. So after two hours i checked the page and i was on page 147 and i couldnt believe it. To someone it might not be very impessive but it was to me and my family,because i hate reading. By the time i was finished i had two weeks to finish my ritten book report. Since i read it so quickly i got a A on it. So the book shadrach is a very iteresting book to read for all ages.

This is so much more than the story of a group of school children trying to bring storks to their Dutch fishing village on the North Sea. It is a story of people - people everywhere. It is a story of how important people are, irregardless of their age, physical condition, or how they make a living. It encourages us to go beyond what we see on the surface. It shows us that when we help others and care about others, good things will come to us. The children originally wanted to lure storks to their little village because the storks were said to bring good luck. Little did they know that storks would send good fortune ahead in the form of new-found friendships, help for others, and a community that came closer together than it had been before. Miendert DeJong does a masterful job of telling the story and providing strategically planted links as the events take place and unfold. I am an elementary teacher in Cabarrus County, NC. I have read this book to my children each year for many years. When I ask my new class if anyone has heard of the book, no one raises a hand. By the time we finish, the children feel like they have been right there with Lina and the boys. They have also grown to realize that Janus was far from being the mean old man that they met at the beginning. They realize that he just needed to be needed. Each time I read the book, I see more and I learn more. Don't read this story just once. You will be walking over a hidden treasure.

The Wheel on the School, a powerful well-written book, about the determination of young children. Meindert Dejong has a writing talent to write such a adventures book with the warm hearts of children. The story starts when Lena, a school girl in the only class full of boys, wondered why storks never came to the fishing villege of Shora. Why do they never come to Shora? That's what Lena and her friends wanted to find out. So what did they do, set out to bring them back. Soon the whole villege was trying to bring them back.And slowly thier wish began coming true.This 1955 Newberry award winner is a detailed story that everyone can enjoy of all ages.

What a thrill it was to "find" this book. I bought it originally on an endorsement from the Chinaberry catalog. Neither the cover nor the title was particularly catchy. It sat on my teacher shelf for a couple of months...and then one rainy day at indoor recess we began reading. The basic story is of a small group of schoolchildren in Holland and their communal efforts to bring storks back to nest on the rooftops of their village. In the process of achieving this dream the story is an intergenerational tale of love and friendship. Finding help and providence in the places you might least expect them. It touched my young listeners deeply. We built a model of the village in our classroom. We compared people in our own lives to the characters in the story and gained new insights. One last strong endorsement...I had my students rank their top three book choices so far this year. The Wheel On The School came out as #1, and yes, Harry Potter was one of the contestants.

Meindert De Jong is a master of simple yet powerful stories. Ordinary settings, with ordinary people, tell extraordinary tales of love, fear, friendship and survival. You cannot read a De Jong book without tears flowing and Happiness triumphing in the end. I recommend this book for all ages, as well as any other Meindert De Jong books.

I loved the story! Anyone who has lived with a dog and knows the behavior and emotions a dog is capable of can relate to this book. It is a tender story of compassion and acceptance.

This is a lovely, sensitive story about a lonely dog searching for a home and the friendless little red hen he loves and protects. The author tells the story from the dog's and the hen's points of view, displaying a keen understanding of animal behavior. Sensitive children will identify with the protagonists, and it is impossible to avoid caring deeply about the fate of the two friends as the reader is drawn into their world. The story is suspenseful without being too scary for young children, and also includes a valuable message about accepting those who are "different." I loved this story as a youngster, and borrowed it dozens of times from my elementary school library. I just re-discovered it now at 36 years of age (I had assumed that it was out of print). It has not lost any of it's charm in the 25 years since I last read it.

I think people should read this book because it is a funny story about a boy and his duck. The boy wants a pet because he is lonely. All sorts of good things start happening when he gets a duck at the fair.

I recommend this book because it is a surprising story about a boy and his vegetable garden. It taught me that sometimes if things don't turn out like you thought they would, they might be good in another way. A lesson in this book is that if someone starts teasing you and you think you are doing the right thing, keep on doing it. Jim Jordan felt very happy when his father put the cabbage on the table for a centerpiece because his whole family could see how hard he had worked.

This is a book about a skunk who befriends a tramp. I thought it was a sweet book, and the length was satisfactory. The author is award-winning (in fact, he has won awards for other books). If you like animal stories, or dislike long books, then I would recomend this book.