Joyful Trouble by Patricia Furstenberg– Book Review

Book: Joyful Trouble

Author: Patricia Furstenberg

Independently Published with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

ISBN: 978-1521089576

ASIN: B07227P973

Publication date: 17 April  2017

Target audience: 6-10

Genre: Children's, Animals, Historical, Humour

Synopsis:

A humourous read about an incredible dog and how he had found his true, yet unexpected calling.

A dog. A friendship. A purpose.

When a Great Dane arrives in a navy base nobody expects him to win everybody’s hearts, although breaking some rules along the way. But things soon turn sour as somebody threatens to put him to sleep. Who will stand up for this for-legged gentle giant?

Tackling universal themes and voicing animal rights and the importance of fighting for what is right.

Book Review by Nadaness In Motion

Joyful Trouble by Patricia Furstenberg is a fun, fast-paced read about a Great Dane named Joyful Trouble, who befriends seamen on a naval base in South Africa and is later added to the base as a member.

The book opens with Ana and Tommy, who are nine and five, respectively, asking their grandfather to tell them the story of Joyful Trouble.

"Doggies! I want to see the custard Danish!"

"Great Danes, Tommy. They are Great Danes."

The Great Dane easily befriends the seamen, but its unpaid rides on the train anger the ticket collectors and officials, who ask that he be put to sleep so they can get rid of him. 

"The poor dog was in trouble for being a friendly, four-legged creature."

What happens after that is beautiful and according to the author based on a true story.

Joyful Trouble is enlisted as "ordinary seamen" and becomes part of the navy.

I liked how Patricia Furstenberg weaved the story of Joyful Trouble as a story within a story.

There are intermittent parts where the children ask questions, express worry or excitement about the events of the story and so on, which reminds the reader that they're not just reading about the dog but about other people as well. It also provides some comedy, especially when Tommy jumps in.

"Choo-choo train!" Exclaimed Tommy and he was soon a train himself, running along the living room, following the carpet lines like imaginary train tracks.

The characters are adorable, especially Tommy, whom I absolutely loved. He's super cute and funny and makes the book light, whereas his sister Ana is the grown up one who keeps asking her grandfather to tell her more about Joyful Trouble and his adventures.

"I knew what was at stake."

"'Steak!' Exclaimed Tommy suddenly, wide awake. "I'm hungry!"

Photo credit: Patricia Furstenberg

It is worth mentioning that the novella has several tales about Joyful Trouble, from the day the grandfather as a young seaman meets the dog till the day Joyful Trouble dies (which made me cry).

Overall, Joyful Trouble is a must read for all ages.

Overall rating: 5 stars

Note: I received a free copy of Joyful Trouble from its author Patricia Furstenberg in exchange for an honest review.

Update: Check out Nadaness In Motion's interview with author Patricia Furstenberg.

About the Author:

Patricia Furstenberg came to writing through reading. She is known to carry a book or pen and paper everywhere she goes.

Patricia enjoys writing for children because she can take abstract, grown-up concepts and package them in attractive, humorous, child-friendly words and pictures, while adding sensitivity and lots of love. What fuels her is a need to write and… coffee, “None. Plus? Five cups.”

After completing her Medical Degree in Romania, she moved to South Africa, where she now lives with her husband, children, and their dogs.

Connect with author Patricia Furstenberg via her Author Website, Amazon UK, Amazon US, Huffington Post SA, Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.