Review of Hachiko Waits

Hachiko Waits
Written by Leslea Newman
Illustrated by Machiyo Kodaira
Age Level: 7 – 12
Grade Level: 3 – 4

This is the most amazing story, and it’s based on what really happened in Japan in 1923. That’s when Professor Ueno adopted a young Akito. The puppy was bright, and training was easy. Every morning Hachiko walked his master to the train station before heading home. Every afternoon before 3:00, Hachiko returned to wait, until one day, the professor never returned. If you want to find out what happened, you’ll have to read the book for yourself. Warning – have your kleenexes ready because this is a heartbreaking story about love and loyalty. My daughter reads it every year to show her students how character affects emotion, and every year, they cry.

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