DOG HERO STORY IN VERSE READ-ALOUD EPIC POEM FOR KIDS AGES 9-12 (GROWN-UPS, TOO) In the tradition of the modern novel in verse and of story poems predating even written language, Kodiak & The Un-Hunted Place: An Alaskan Malamute Battles a Coyote for the Heart, Soul, and Future of the World... tells the tale of a big cross-eyed dog named Kodiak--a two-year-old Alaskan Malamute family pet--who, though cautious and shy, stands to fight a predatory coyote for the territory of his backyard. As the story unfolds and by virtue of his courage, readers witness Kodiak as he becomes not only defender of his yard, but protector of its many rabbits, squirrels, and chipmunks. Not only the pride of his human family, but in a deep, true sense... himself. This is a classic coming-of-age story... with a drumbeat for action... told from multiple perspectives... using powerful narrative devices borrowed from poetry. Kodiak is a story of conflict and honor pursued to the point of physical combat. In its final, climactic pages the young dog's purpose in life is made suddenly and completely clear. Readers can expect of this middle grade novel in verse... the high stakes of a cliffhanger of a dog story... one of some complexity... told with clarity in fewer than 17,000 words... words that accelerate toward a conclusion at once inevitable and which comes as a complete surprise. Kodiak is published with 23 illustrations by Vera Kulikov.