What the Dog Knows Young Readers Edition: Scent, Science, and the Amazing Ways Dogs Perceive the World

Gr 3-7–Warren revises and reorganizes material from her adult title, describing how she and her German Shepherd Solo become a cadaver search team. Though Warren and her husband hoped for a companion animal when they adopted their dog, the author sought a way to harness Solo’s high-energy personality. She chronicles their development as a working team and Warren’s growing awareness of the intricacies of canine-human relationship. She also integrates details about types of working dogs, the science of a dog’s sense of smell, and search dog history. This edition sets some science-related information apart in bordered text boxes. The many people and dogs who helped Warren and Solo in their training can become overwhelming, and the book’s hefty page count may put off some readers. The smooth writing turns choppy in later ones.