D-Day, D-Day Landing, WW2, Paratroopers, Syrian Refugees, Reserves
D-Day Dog
by Tom Palmer
Key information
Author: Tom Palmer
Illustrator: Tom Clohosy Cole
Release Date: 2nd May 2019
Book type: Barrington Stoke chapter book
Star rating: ★★★★★
Reader level: Growing
Age: Year 5+
Overview
D-Day Dog follows Jack, a schoolboy who is excited about anything to do with the military—video games, soldiers, and especially war heroes. When his class begins a project on D-Day, Jack is eager to learn more about the real events of the Second World War. But as he researches, he starts to uncover stories that challenge his ideas about war being exciting or “cool.”
Jack becomes particularly interested in the true story of Emile Corteil, a paratrooper, and his dog Glen, who were part of the D-Day landings. As Jack learns about Emile's bravery—and the huge sacrifice that Glen is expected to make—he begins to understand the real cost of war: fear, loss, and the hard choices ordinary people had to face.
At the same time, Jack’s dad, who is currently in the Reserves, is preparing for his own deployment. Jack’s growing fear for his father, paired with what he learns about Emile and Glen, forces him to confront his beliefs about duty, violence, loyalty, and love.
Before long, Jack finds himself surrounded by the past in Normandy where his Year 6 class are to pay their respects to the soldiers who fought for freedom. With him conscience torn between what is right and wrong, Jack finds himself unable to enjoy the trip as he had once thought he would.
The novel sensitively explores themes of remembrance, courage, and empathy, helping young readers understand the human impact of war through both historical and modern perspectives.
Key concepts/themes
- War
- Conflict
- Peace
- Bravery
- Friendship
- Animal companionship
- True story
Considerations
- Death of animals and people
- Parents in the reserves
- Family separation
- Refugees
- War
- Trauma
Curriculum links
- History
- D-Day,
- D-Day landing,
- WW2
- Allies
- Paratroopers
- Emile Corteil and Glen (true story)
Additional teaching opportunities
1. Writing
- Research project (Emile and Glen)
- Biography - Emile
- Non-chronological report (D-Day)
- Recount (soldier on D-Day)
- Setting description (Normandy on D-Day, modern Normandy, memorial sites)
- Character description (Glen and Emile)
- Discussion text (is war justified?)
2. Geography
- Normandy
- France
- Britain
3. Science
- Making and testing parachutes
Vocabulary
| Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
|---|---|
| Reserves, paratrooper, Para-dog, Emile Cortiel, Normandy, |
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