For young readers captivated by tales of survival, this book explores courage, quick thinking, and teamwork when faced with a sudden, life-threatening natural disaster.
A parent might reach for this book when their middle-grade reader is fascinated by survival stories and ready for a tale that balances high-stakes action with real emotional depth. Based on a true event, Night of the Howling Dogs follows a Boy Scout troop on a camping trip in Hawaiʻi when a massive earthquake and a terrifying tsunami strike their remote beach. The story is a pulse-pounding account of their fight to survive and rescue one another in the chaotic aftermath. It masterfully explores themes of courage, quick-thinking, and teamwork under extreme pressure. While intense, it's an excellent choice for readers ages 10 to 14, providing a powerful model of resilience and how ordinary kids can become heroes when faced with the unthinkable.
The story includes themes of grief, loss, and trauma in the aftermath of the disaster.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with character death. Two supporting characters die as a result of the disaster. The approach is secular and realistic, focusing on the shock and grief of the survivors rather than dwelling on the act of dying itself. Injuries are also described with some detail (e.g., a badly broken leg). The resolution is realistic: the main characters are rescued, but they are forever changed by their trauma and loss. It ends on a hopeful note of resilience.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a 10 to 14-year-old who loves high-stakes adventure and survival stories, such as Gary Paulsen's work. It's also a great fit for a child processing news about natural disasters, as it provides a model of competence, bravery, and teamwork from a young person's perspective.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for the intensity of the disaster scenes and the deaths of two characters. The tsunami hitting the camp is particularly frightening. The descriptions of injuries are realistic but not overly graphic. The book can be read cold, but discussing the fact that it's based on a real 1975 event at Halapē, Hawaiʻi could add valuable context. A parent has noticed their child is fascinated by survival shows or disaster movies, and wants to give them a story with more character depth and emotional realism. The child might also be asking questions about earthquakes or tsunamis.
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-11) will likely focus on the thrilling plot: the escape, the survival tasks, and the action. An older reader (12-14) will connect more deeply with Dylan's internal journey from uncertain follower to capable leader, the complex group dynamics under pressure, and the emotional weight of the loss they experience.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many survival novels that focus on a lone protagonist against nature, this book's core is about group survival. It powerfully illustrates that in a catastrophe, collaboration, varied skills, and mutual support are just as critical as individual courage. Its basis in a true story lends it an affecting authenticity that sets it apart from purely fictional adventures.
Read plot summary
Thirteen-year-old Dylan is on a Boy Scout camping trip at a remote Hawaiian beach when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami strike their campsite in the middle of the night. The story is a gripping, minute-by-minute account of the boys' and their leaders' struggle for survival. They must contend with the powerful waves, crumbling cliffs, and finding and caring for the injured, all while cut off from any help. Dylan is forced to overcome his self-doubt and step up to help lead the group through the terrifying ordeal.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Before the earthquake, Dylan saw Casey as the natural, confident leader. How did the disaster change Dylan's view of leadership and his own abilities?
2
Teamwork was essential for survival. Describe a specific moment where one character’s small action or special skill made a huge difference for the whole group.
3
The scoutmaster, Mr. G, makes a critical decision to move everyone to open ground right after the first tremor. Why was this so important, and what does it show about thinking clearly under pressure?
4
After the immediate danger passed, the survivors had to deal with shock and grief. How did different characters cope with the loss of Mr. G and the fisherman?
