Strongheart: Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen
Written by Candace Fleming, Illustrated by Eric Rohmann

Publisher’s Summary:
A German shepherd is transformed from Etzel, a police dog in Berlin, to Strongheart, a silent movie star that will need his best acting skills to prove himself innocent of attacking a girl.

Primary Source Pairing:
Candace Fleming brings the story of Strongheart alive in her historical fiction book. Along with lively and detailed illustrations by Eric Rohmann, readers will feel like Strongheart is in the room with them. For this primary source pairing, invite students to watch a YouTube video about Strongheart himself. Students will notice the differences in the stories, and it will be a good reminder that Strongheart: Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen is a historical fiction title and not nonfiction. Encourage students to discuss why the author may have chosen to edit the story and add certain details.

Questions for Discussion:

• Describe what you see and hear.
• What do you notice first?
• Do you only see live action, or are there any special effects or animation?
• Describe any words you see on the screen.
• Who are the people who appear in it?
• What feelings or ideas do you think its creators wanted to communicate?
• Make a connection to the book Strongheart: Wonder Dog of the Silver Screen.
• What is the same about Strongheart’s life? What is different?
• Why do you think author Candace Fleming made changes from the true story in her historical fiction novel?

Credits:
Book Cover and Summary: Follett
Film Histories Episode 46 – Strongheart: YouTube