Digital Book Talk Script
Cracker! The Best Dog in Vietnam, by Cynthia Kadohata
Students will hold up a sign displaying the title and author. Student One will portray Willie’s character and Student Two will portray Rick’s character.
Willie: My name is Willie and this is my dog, Cracker! (holds up a picture of a dog). Cracker and I love to run and play. When I come home from school, Cracker is always in the window waiting for me. Then we go outside until dark, get some dinner, go outside for a walk and finally fall asleep together on my bed. But, now we have a big problem: my family had to sell our house and move to an apartment. This apartment doesn’t allow dogs and I have to find a new place for Cracker to live. We went to the shelter, but most of those dogs never get adopted. I’ve asked lots of people, but no one wants her. I just didn’t know what to do. I don’t want to give her away, but I don’t have a choice. I finally found an ad in the newspaper from the army. They’re taking German Shepherds like Cracker and training them for war. So I contacted them and someone from the army is coming to get her.
Rick: My name is Rick and I’m from Wisconsin. I joined the army so I could whip the world and save some lives! I am a dog handler and Cracker was assigned to me. Boy is she a lot of work! Things got better between us once we got to know each other. I sneak her some wieners when I can, even though Sarge tells us not to. We’ve done a lot of practice missions here in Fort Benning, Georgia. We’re getting prepared for our tour of duty in Vietnam. Once I ignored Cracker’s signal and tripped a pretend wire. I won’t make that mistake again! We’ll be shipping out tomorrow to Vietnam. I wonder what it will be like.
Willie: I sure do miss Cracker! My life seems so empty without her. I taught her a lot of stuff, though, so I bet she’s the best dog in Vietnam. I’ve been writing to Rick, but I haven’t heard back from him. I wonder how Cracker is doing.
Willie and Rick: Read our book to find out what happens to Cracker in Vietnam!