The wonder of lost causes : a novel

Title:

Author:

Trout, Nick, author.

Personal Author:

Trout, Nick, author.

ISBN:

9780062884305

9780062747945

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

440, 16 pages ; 24 cm

General Note:

Include reading group guide.

Abstract:

A single mother learns that her chronically ill son can communicate with a special dog, and the lessons this dog teaches can shape the future and transform their lives.

Dr. Kate Blunt will do anything for her son, Jasper, who has cystic fibrosis... except get him a dog. The daily medical routine that keeps Jasper alive is complicated enough, though her decision runs contrary to her work as the veterinarian in charge of a Cape Cod animal shelter. Then a scarred, mistreated wreck of a dog turns up. Whistler is too old, too ugly for anyone to adopt. But the dog forms an instantaneous bond with Jasper. He never makes a sound, yet he speaks to Jasper in a myriad of mysterious ways. Jasper would do anything to find him a home, but Whistler has chosen them-- for a reason. -- adapted from jacket

Subject Term:

Chronically ill -- Fiction.

Cystic fibrosis -- Patients -- Fiction.

Dogs -- Fiction.

Human-animal communication -- Fiction.

Mothers and sons -- Fiction.

Veterinarians -- Fiction.

Geographic Term:

Cape Cod (Mass.) -- Fiction.

Genre:

Animal fiction.

Domestic fiction.

Novels.

Summary:

A single mother learns that her chronically ill son can communicate with a special dog, and the lessons this dog teaches can shape the future and transform their lives.

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Shelf Number	Status
Searching... Belmont	Book	FICTION TROUT	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Main Library	Book	FICTION TROUT	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

"THE WONDER OF LOST CAUSES is equal parts heart wrenching and heartwarming as Trout pulls you onto an emotional rollercoaster that is sure to leave your heart filled to the brim. A true testament to the power of love in its purest and most absolute form."

-- Rachael Lippincott, New York Times bestselling author of Five Feet Apart

In this unforgettable novel, perfect for fans of An Unexpected Grace and A Dog's Way Home, a single mom and her chronically ill child receive a valuable lesson from an unlikely source--a very special dog who unexpectedly enters their lives and shows them that one person's lost cause can be another's greatest gift . . .Dr. Kate Blunt will do anything for her son, Jasper. Well, almost anything. Since Jasper has the incurable lung disease cystic fibrosis, Kate's always told him he couldn't get a dog. It's a tough call, but she's a single mom taking care of a kid who fights for every breath he takes. The daily medical routine that keeps Jasper alive is complicated enough. Worse still, Kate's personal resolve runs contrary to her work as the veterinarian in charge of a Cape Cod animal shelter, where she is on a mission to find forever homes for dogs in desperate need.

The scarred, mistreated wreck of a dog that turns up doesn't stand a chance. Named Whistler, he's too old, too ugly. But the dog forms an instantaneous bond with Jasper. Whistler never makes a sound, yet he speaks to Jasper in a myriad of mysterious ways. The clock's ticking, the dog's future hangs in the balance, and Jasper would do anything to find him a home; but Whistler has chosen them--for a reason.

Reviews (1)

Kirkus Review

A disfigured rescue dog changes the lives of a single mother and her chronically ill son in this inspiring story.Eleven-year-old Jasper Blunt volunteers at the animal shelter where his mother, Kate, works as a veterinarian. Jasper has cystic fibrosis, and he endures frequent hospital stays as well as marginalized social status at school. One day, Jasper shows up at the shelter as multiple workers wrestle a badly scarred dog who has just arrived. To everyone's surprise, the dog calms instantly when Jasper appears. Jasper declares that the animal's name is Whistler, and when Kate asks how he knows, Jasper responds, "Because he told me." As Jasper insists that he can communicate wordlessly with this dog, Kate grows concerned that her son might be suffering from psychosis in addition to CF. Yet, as Jasper spends more time with Whistler, his health, social skills, and outlook on life all improve. Unfortunately, if Whistler is not adopted within two weeks of arrival, shelter policy mandates he be put down. Kate continually rejects Jasper's pleas to keep the dog, primarily because their housing development forbids pets. Kate finally receives a call from a man who claims he's been searching for Whistler for years. As Kate and Jasper journey from Massachusetts to New Mexico to bring Whistler home, both Jasper and his mother wonder if they can ever return to a life that doesn't include this special animal. This animal-centric narrative gets off to a slow start, but it gradually rises to an exciting crescendo. The author builds suspense by doling out revelations about Whistler's past and posing questions as to how this information should affect the dog's future. Told alternately from the perspectives of Kate and Jasper, the story tugs at the heartstrings by exploring the effects of chronic disease on both the afflicted and their caregivers, touching especially on issues of guilt, grief, and depression. Readers must be willing to suspend a certain amount of disbelief as they get to know Whistler, but the ensuing ride through this engaging tale will be worth the effort.An artfully crafted story about the connection between a boy and his dog and the deep bond between a son and his mother. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.