However when he finds out that dogs are targeted by the enemy for a hefty price he digs deeper into what goes on in Vietnam with the dogs, and after receiving a letter with Wolfie's handler's details he takes it upon himself to write to the guy and find out more whilst keeping updated on how well his beloved companion is doing. Letters From Wolfie is a relatively short story about a thirteen year old boy named Mark who (mostly out of envy) sends his beloved dog Wolfie to help the army in Vietnam without really knowing much about what he has done, all he knows is it gets his older brother (who is a soldier already) out of the spotlight for a little while and gives him a few moments of glory. The book stays on the list and I will certainly recommend it to my animal-loving students. That said, every parent is responsible for monitoring the reading of his or her children, and it is well within the mother's right to have her daughter read something different. It makes me sad that this mother has disallowed her child from reading this book. The mention of 'reproductive processes' and Playboy has to do with the main character (a 7th grade boy) recalling having learned about that in school and then he and his friend searching for Playboys and finding nothing. It is funny and sad and just such a great book for kids in grades 5-8. The result: Letters From Wolfie is a beautiful story about a boy who donates his dog to the US army during the conflict in Vietnam. My director asked me if I'd read the book and since I hadn't, I told her I would right away. Next thing we knew there was a parent complaint because the book mentioned the term 'reproductive processes' and Playboy. One of my students checked it out and brought it home.

Why I read it: This book is on our historical fiction 'Recommended Reading' list for the sixth grade.

Letters from wolfie by patti sherlock