Marty Crisp: Run, Spot, Run!

"Dog is known as Man’s best friend, but Crisp speculates that a dog became Jesus’ best friend as well. Her curiosity piqued by the appearance of a white canine in various 14th to 16th-century paintings of the Nativity, the author has crafted a dramatic tale about a lowly kennel boy’s beloved white dog, the only possession Ameer has and the only one he deems worthy of giving the newborn Christ child. Cooper’s signature oil-wash paintings look as luminous as ever, depicting soft portraits of a multiracial cast, and the blues and golds of a nighttime desert awash in star glow."--Publisher’s Weekly  9/25/2006

"...The well-written text is full of rich language and dramatic moments, concluding with the Ra prancing along at the head of the procession on the flight into safety in Egypt." --Kirkus Reviews 9/1/2006

"...the novel's inherently gripping historical underpinnings, clearly well-researched by Crisp, keep the story afloat."--Publisher's Weekly

"This wonderful piece of historical fiction follows the accounts of what actually happened, includes real as well as fictionalized characters, and provides an accurate picture of what an upper-class boy and a dog would have undergone during the tragedy (of the Titanic sinking)."--Children's Literature

"A fresh approach to a popular topic that is both engaging and informative."--School Library Journal

"Filled with interesting facts about the famous ocean liner, this tale manages to offer some little-known tidbits and debunks some myths...an interesting look at a familiar subject." --Kirkus Reviews

Horrible photo, but, still, that's me with Milvina Dean, at a Titanic Society convention (below, in the oval in the upper right). Milvina Dean survived the sinking of the S.S. Titanic. She was a nine-week-old baby when the ship went down in April 1912. I'm in costume in the photo, dressed as a steerage (third class) passenger.

My favorite fan letter of all time was written about Private Captain:

Dear Marty Crisp,

Your book, Private Captain, was one of my favorite books. When I’m bored, I don’t usually read. That week in school in the fourth grade, we needed to find a historical fiction book. When I was in the bookstore, your book caught my eye. On the way home, I started reading, only because I had to. I did not expect the book to have such a good storyline and catch. After a while, I could only resist putting the book down. I had to keep reading…It has been one of my favorites, and I still read it today. I look around for books that I feel are the quality of Private Captain, and I still believe the book is on my number one spot.

Sincerely, Eric Tyskiewicz
Anchorage School District (K-12)


Other Praise:

"Written from the civilian perspective, the story of Ben's conflicting emotions illustrates the grim reality of the Civil War...the brutality of war is characterized through vivid description...(but) this story is also about the relationship between humans and animals, anchored by Captain and Ben's feelings for him...Crisp's extensive research is obvious, and her ability to capture the sights and emotions of the time make this novel a satisfying read."--VOYA

"This haunting story examines the inevitable futility of conflict that results in battle and the loss of human life...Beautifully written, this can be a most effective work to be used in conjunction with a study of the Civil War."--Alan Review

"Crisp manages a remarkable feat here: she melds the well-rounded characterization and vivid attention to detail common to classic writers of historical fiction with the more colloquial and leaner writing style of more recent authors." --School Library Journal

"Sturdy, unadorned historical fiction."--Kirkus Reviews

A Junior Library Guild Selection, a Scholastic Book Clubs pick, a Carolyn Field Honor Book, and a Pennsylvania Children's Choice List Book

"The text never seems overwhelming or intimidating... with broad appeal for both browsers and researchers, makes a good addition to natural history collections" --School Library Journal

"...a companion to the author's "Everything Dog" once again uses a Q&A format to reveal the truth about these often mysterious creatures." --Publishers Weekly

"...chatty, informal style that makes for easy reading...Children will love sharing odd facts about these mysterious animals." --School Library Journal

"Good captions, factoids, and an attractive, kid-appealing layout make this slim volume the cat's meow."--Kirkus Reviews

A Scholastic Book Clubs pick

"Organized by questions phrased the way a child might pose them, `Everything Dog' answers a plethora of queries."--Publisher's Weekly

"readable text...plenty of canine facts in a browsable format. A first purchase."--School Library Journal

"...a crisply written collection of canine trivia that will intrigue young readers...This first entry in the Kids' FAQs series will be useful for both recreational reading and school reports on man's (and many a kids's) best friend."--Kirkus Reviews

A Scholastic Book Clubs pick

"the simple rhyme will appeal to a read-aloud audience." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Eisner's full-bleed spreads make the most of Crisp's satisfying singsong text with a palette of frosty greens, purples and blues, and subtle snowflake motifs throughout the volume...even the most summer-loving readers will likely appreciate this young hero's cool fantasy."--Publishers Weekly

"Written in catchy poetic jingles, Peter is sure to capture the hearts of all who love winter."--Children's Literature

"Whether sailing to Popsicle ports or building a gigantic snowman, it is great fun to share in Peter's polar obsession and be drawn into the action." --Cahners Business

A Storytellers' Association of America honor book and a Scholastic book clubs book.

The Maxwell Medal is given by the Dog Writers Association of America. 

It was won by "Ratzo" and "Private Captain." "Everything Dog" was a finalist.

Ratzo won the Dog Writers Association of America Children's Book of the Year Medal in 1999 

"...Josh and his family are well-drawn, believable characters with strengths and weaknesses readers will understand...this should be popular with dog lovers.'--Booklist

"...Ratzo is the first book of its kind to sensitively and effectively introduce young readers to the plight of the racing greyhound in a manner that does the subject justice. Marty Crisp's non-patronizing style does not sacrifice fact for safer fiction...Similar in spirit to the much acclaimed "Shiloh," Ratzo is the story of a boy's empathic coming-of-age. As the book concludes, the moral lesson is that "one person can make a difference." Indeed, Marty Crisp has, by educating the next generation of potential track-goers."  --Animal People, News For People Who Care About Animals

Buzzard Breath was named to the Maryland Children's Choice Black-Eyed Susan List, 1996-97

"This is a promising debut, full of energy and ripe with thoughtful themes." --Publisher's Weekly

"...formulaic but still funny...Abbie sees that size is not as important as he thought...middle-graders will recognize the milieu and the characters, especially as they are portrayed in True Kelley's amusing ink-and-wash illustrations." --Booklist

A Scholastic book clubs pick, a Tennessee Children's Choice list book