Hobie's is a very understandable wavering we can all relate to. He has conflicting feelings about what he has done and changes his mind about volunteering Duke to Dogs for Defense over and over, even trying to get him back. Duke is a story about bravery, and what that means for Hobie and by I finished the book, I realized that I liked the fact that Hobie's courage isn't perfect. Undaunted, as bullies often are, Mitch later tells Hobie he doesn't have what it takes to give up his beloved dog.Ĭhallenged by Mitch, remembering his father's words about doing what needs to be done while he is gone, but feeling somewhat less heroic that the other Hanson men in his family, Hobie makes the big decision and before he knows it, Duke has left for basic training in the Dogs for Defense program.Ĭan he stick to his decision even after he learns that Duke is being trained for combat?Īt first, I didn't care much for Hobie, but he grew on me. Impressed by what he sees, a man walking a Doberman, asks Hobie if he would be willing to donate Duke to Dogs for Defense, of which he, Olin Rasmussen, is regional director. Only this time, he has Duke with him, who doesn't hesitate to go to Hobie's defense (no, Duke doesn't hurt Mitch). But, later that day, it is Hobie's turn to get bullied after Mitch takes his bike. Hobie just stood there and watched, wanting to avoid Mitch's meanness. His name is Max Klein and the class bully, Mitch Mitchell, immediately starts picking on him because of his German name. When Hobie gets back to school after Christmas break, there discovers a new boy sitting at Scooter's desk. How could Hobie ever seriously consider giving up Duke?

Not even when his favorite radio show, Hop Harrigan, talks about kids who have given their dogs to Dogs for Defense to help win the war.

Gilbert told him that his nephew had just donated his dog to the military's Dogs for Defense program and they sure could use a well trained dog like Duke, Hobie's German Shepard. So Hobie wasn't too happy when his neighbor Mr. He collected scrape he spent 10 ¢ on a 'savings stamp' every week to put in his Victory book he had watched his father go to war, flying B-24's in Europe and now he had to say good bye to his best friend Scooter, whose father was needed at the Portland shipyard. It is Janua new year and Hobie Hanson, 11, thought he was doing everything a kid his age could do for the war effort.

Duke by kirby larson chapter summaries