Books for gifted children from Royal Fireworks Press, publishers for the gifted education curriculum.

Blue Ribbons for Juliet

Novel

Class sets of 20 or more: $7.00 each. (Order Code: 3970S) Add to Cart

“...charming canine personalities.... The reader is engaged and amused...the rules for fair play and the search for self-confidence apply to all ages. Blue Ribbons for Juliet will be a cherished addition to any collection for years to come.” The Royal Spaniel.

Whispering Pines Kennel in Hollywood Hills, California, breeds toy dogs, Pekinese and English Spaniels. It is in financial trouble because Flashfields, a new kennel, is tak­ing its puppy sale business. Flashfields dogs are winning ribbons, even though its dogs are using dirty methods in the show ring. And show winners mean puppy sales for the kennel.

Young Tristan’s parents are divorcing and until his mother gets resettled, he is sent to live with his uncle, who owns Whispering Pines. The boy is in the throes of feeling guilty about the divorce and his self-esteem is at rock bottom. Grudgingly at first, he accepts his assignment of grooming a puppy for her first show.

Blue Ribbons For Juliet takes the young reader behind the scenes of the show ring through the eyes of the experienced show dogs and through apprentice Tristan’s views. Amazingly, Tristan is granted the ability to hear and speak to the dogs for a short time, the time it takes him to understand that he and the English Toy Spaniel puppy share a similar quest—the search for the “secret” to winning. Juliet must win to keep the ken­nel solvent and insure its reputation. Tristan must discover his own inner strengths. Together they find out about character, making mistakes, spirit and heart. Juliet wins her ribbons, and Tristan gains insight about who he really is. Along the way, there is a whole cast of vocal and active canine characters ready to support or defeat them.

This is a wonderful book about winning and values for young people. That it plays against the accurate detail of the dog show ring, arena and kennel, enhances its appeal for most juveniles who simply love dogs.

Author, Marilyn Lowery owns Juliet, and shows her. The author speaks from her heart about a subject she knows well. She is a resident of California.

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