Claudia Mills, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
Based on a true story that is still honored and celebrated in Japan, this may well be the book of the year most guaranteed to leave its readers with full hearts and streaming eyes. Professor Ueno’s faithful Akita, Hachi, waits for his 3:00 train every day at the railway station, while he is off teaching his classes at the university--until one day the professor, dead from an unexpected heart attack, fails to arrive on time. Hachi proceeds to continue to wait for him--and does so for a full ten years, cared for by the kindly station master, and in Newman’s fictionalization of the tale, by a young boy who grows into maturity while witnessing the dog’s touching faithfulness. At the ceremony dedicating the statue of Hachi placed in the station after his death, the young boy, now a young man, speaks: “Hachiko taught us that we must never give up. He taught us about loyalty and devotion. He taught us about hope and faith. He taught us about patience and responsibility. But above all, Hachiko taught us the true meaning of friendship.” The Japanese flavor of the story is strong both in Newman’s evocative text and in Kodaira’s detailed and realistic black-and-white illustrations. This beautiful story manages to be simultaneously a heart-piercer and a heart-breaker and a heart-warmer. 2004, Henry Holt, $15.95. Ages 7 to 10.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2005)
In 1920s Japan, a dog named Hachiko who met his owner at the train station each day continued his vigil for ten years after his master died. Newman's fictionalized version of this true story is well told and avoids undue sentimentality, while Kodaira's black-and-white illustrations will help readers with the historical setting. An author's note provides information about the actual Hachiko. Glos. Category: Intermediate Fiction. 2004, Holt, 96pp, 15.95. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 3: Recommended, satisfactory in style, content, and/or illustration.

Twyla Wallace (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 17, No. 3))
Professor Eizaburo Ueno lives in Japan in 1924 with his new Akita puppy Hachi. He loves the dog and trains him. Hachi follows the professor to the train station and then returns a little before three o’clock to greet his master. One day in 1925, the Professor does not come home on the train because he has died. Hachi continues to watch for his master, living at the train station for over ten years. This novel was inspired by a true story. It is a sweet story of an animal’s love and devotion to his master. Hachi was honored for his loyalty in 1934 when the people of Japan erected a statue of him at the same Shibuya Station where he waited for his master. Fiction. Grades 5-7. 2004, Holt, 96p., $15.95. Ages 10 to 13.