Reviews for Nugly
Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
A puppy gets lost in the big city and learns about life on his winding way home. Nugget is born into an idyllic setting: The Vandyck family lives in a cozy home in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood. They dote on their dog, Wendy, and her puppies, all named after foods and drinks. Just as Nugget embraces family life, his owners announce a sudden move to San Francisco and expedited plans to rehome the pups. Heartbroken Nugget, the runt of the litter, impulsively runs away, becoming lost amid Boston’s maze of streets. He stumbles into the Franklin Park Zoo in a haze of exhaustion, where a porcupine full of prickly wisdom nurtures him for a spell. But a horrible accident lands him once again in human care. Nugget is adopted by overworked mother Linh Trần and her bullied daughter; the bullies’ cruelty sends Nugget on the run again. He falls into the care of the McLaughlins, a large, chaotic, working-class family who embrace him easily, scars and all. The story, related by a loquacious omniscient third-person narrator, is dense and lyrical and celebrates Boston’s vibrancy. The reflective storytelling may challenge those seeking high-speed entertainment, but Nugly’s demands for emotional engagement will reward thoughtful readers. The Trầns are cued Vietnamese; the Vandycks and McLaughlins are not described and may be intended to read white. An emotional journey about realizing one’s worth within loving, complicated relationships. (Fiction. 9-13) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
