{"id":2174346241,"title":"Gabe","handle":"gabe","description":"\u003ch1\u003eGabe\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Story of Me, My Dog, and the 1970s\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/shelley-gill\" title=\"Author Shelley Gill\"\u003eShelley Gill\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/marc-scheff\" title=\"Illustrator Marc Scheff\"\u003eMarc Scheff\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eComing of age in the Age of Aquarius.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthor Shelley Gill was seventeen-years-old in 1972 and a free spirit protesting the Vietnam War, marching for civil rights, and finding her way in a changing world. While volunteering in the medical tent at a gathering, Shelley met Gabe—an abandoned blue merle-husky mix puppy. Gabe quickly became Shelley's best friend and protector. They traveled the country together, hitchhiking to New Orleans, Indiana, New York City, the Rocky Mountains, and eventually to Alaska, where they stayed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShelley Gill has lived full-force, and her spirit and attitude are ever-present in this autobiography—a snapshot of a turbulent time in American history, as well as a love-letter to a cherished dog.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/emily-and-carlo\" title=\"Emily and Carlo\"\u003eEmily and Carlo\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/gabe-spread.jpg?1222918125662851290\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShelley Gill, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShelley Gill is hte author of many children's books, including \u003ci\u003eAlaska\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eHawai'i\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eSitka Rose\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003ePrickly Rose\u003c\/i\u003e. Shelley lives in Homer, Alaska.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/shelley-gill\" title=\"Author Shelley Gill\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Shelley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarc Scheff, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarc Scheff works as an illustrator, art director, curator, educator, and art evangelist. Marc lives in Brooklyn, New York.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/marc-scheff\" title=\"Illustrator Marc Scheff\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Marc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe saga began in 1972, as 17-year-old Gill administered first aid at a counterculture event called the Rainbow Gathering. When the crowds disperse, she was left with an unclaimed and injured dog, whom she dubs Gabe. This is an autobiographical account of Gill’s journey as she and her canine companion navigated the vast United States during the turbulent years at the end of the Vietnam War. Although the story may have been more successful with an older audience had it been told with more detail, it will be a fantastic supplement if used in conjunction with classroom discussions about the post-Vietnam era. Some of the references may be a bit adult for middle schoolers (e.g., hitchhiking, bad trips), while other allusions may simply be outside of the typical preteen frame of reference (e.g., Evel Knievel). Addressing this hurdle, the author provides contextual information at the back of the book, including simplified explanations of the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement, the women’s movement, and the meaning of the phrase Age of Aquarius. The illustrations are a fitting accompaniment to the text and exude a kaleidoscopic 1970s vibe. Gabe is no cute and cuddly pup and occasionally looks pretty terrifying. Nevertheless, animal lovers will appreciate the author’s attachment to her dog. VERDICT Although some of the themes may require explanation, this is a solid example of autobiography for younger teens. Times may have changed, but this tale of a young woman and her dog looking to find their place in the world will resonate across generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver five brisk chapters, Gill (Alaska's Dog Heroes) shares stories from her itinerant youth with an adoptive husky named Gabe as her steadfast companion. As readers follow Gill from city apartments to a Colorado teepee and the Alaskan wilderness, \"big and wild and full of possibilities,\" newcomer Scheff evokes the 1970s setting in dynamic full-bleed images that blend a whiff of psycheldelia with the sweeping lines of the Art Nouveau movement and a comic-book sense of dramtic action. Through it all, Gill's relationship with Gabe is at the forefront; this as much a tribute to him as it is autobiography. It's an undeniably unusual project--a middle-grade memoir in the form of an illustrated chapter book--yet Gill never talks down to her audience, whether mentioning the rampant drugs on the street in the 1970s New Orleans or a stint working illegally as a bartender. For readers beginning to realize that a conventional path may not be for them, Gill demonstrates the rewards of a life governed by a sense of adventure, a strong moral compass, and a dog at your side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust as Steinbeck took Charley on his travels, teenage Gill went with Gabe: \"Home was where your friends were, so Gabe and I became each other's home.\" More in search of a satisfactory place to settle down than some nebulous America, Gill recalls leaving home at 17 and meeting the blue merle husky mix that became her canine companion in a first aid tent at a 1972 Rainbow Tribe festival in Colorado. From there, the two hitchhiked to New Orleans, then onward across the country before fetching up, ultimately, in Alaska. As a late, glancing reference to marriage and divorce indicates, Gill leaves a lot out, but what she includes strings both simple adventures and emotionally complex moments one after another into an episodic but loving tribute. She describes living in the French Quarter, where \"overdoses and pistol-whippings by the police were common,\" losing her beloved dog and then being joyfully reunited, raising a litter of husky pups abandoned by their mother, and, in later years, running an Iditarod and finally holding Gabe in her arms as old age takes him. The tale is printed on full-bleed color paintings that add considerably to their vividness by centering on the author's independent, confident-looking figure and on a dog that, as often as not, is posed with teeth bared in a feral snarl. The story's focus on Gabe, as cranky and independent as his human, makes for a surprisingly accessible introduction to the 1970s for middle graders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith cover art reminiscent of a psychedelic rock poster, this illustrated memoir, full of rich color, is clearly rooted in the early 1970s. That's when Gill, at 17, left home to begin a vagabond life that would take her from festivals in Colorado to dicey streets in New Orleans, concrete canyons in New York, and finally to Alaska. Centered around Gill's dog--the titular Gabe--this story is one of countercultural adventure. Because of references to hitchhiking, break-ins, and drugs, this is ideal for teens--and even adults--interested in tales of alternative lifestyles and the turmoil of the post-Vietnam era. Scheff catches the roiling times and Gill's obvious nostalgia with busy brushstrokes and captures Gabe's ferocity and tenderness. This quick read, appealing to those who struggle with longer memoirs, will satisfy readers when Gill settles down in the snowy forty-ninth state, where Gabe's wolf-dog tendencies are especially suited. The concluding pages, called \"Signs of the Times,\" explain Vietnam protests, the Age of Aquarius, and the Equal Rights Amendment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/gabe-cvr.jpg?1222918125662851290\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/gabe-hires.zip?14005800259474850291\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-57091-354-9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-645-6 EPUB\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: 978-1-60734-762-0 PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 8-12\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 64\u003cbr\u003e6 x 9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCorrelated to Common Core State Standards:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Informational. Grade 4. Standards 1-5, 10\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Informational. Grade 5. Standards 1-4, 8,10\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2015-10-05T16:01:00-04:00","created_at":"2015-10-05T14:55:01-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Age_Middle Grade","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Nonfiction","Browse by Format_Chapter Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_History \u0026 Biography","Browse by Subject_Social Studies\/Cultures"],"price":648,"price_min":648,"price_max":648,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":1295,"compare_at_price_min":1295,"compare_at_price_max":1295,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":7057601793,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"13549","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Gabe - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":648,"weight":428,"compare_at_price":1295,"inventory_quantity":106,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"deny","barcode":"978-1-57091-354-9","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/gabe-cover.jpg?v=1586795261"],"featured_image":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/gabe-cover.jpg?v=1586795261","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"Gabe: A Story of Me, My Dog, and the 1970s book cover","id":2473733750863,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.667,"height":900,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/gabe-cover.jpg?v=1586795261"},"aspect_ratio":0.667,"height":900,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/gabe-cover.jpg?v=1586795261","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch1\u003eGabe\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Story of Me, My Dog, and the 1970s\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/shelley-gill\" title=\"Author Shelley Gill\"\u003eShelley Gill\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/marc-scheff\" title=\"Illustrator Marc Scheff\"\u003eMarc Scheff\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eComing of age in the Age of Aquarius.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthor Shelley Gill was seventeen-years-old in 1972 and a free spirit protesting the Vietnam War, marching for civil rights, and finding her way in a changing world. While volunteering in the medical tent at a gathering, Shelley met Gabe—an abandoned blue merle-husky mix puppy. Gabe quickly became Shelley's best friend and protector. They traveled the country together, hitchhiking to New Orleans, Indiana, New York City, the Rocky Mountains, and eventually to Alaska, where they stayed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShelley Gill has lived full-force, and her spirit and attitude are ever-present in this autobiography—a snapshot of a turbulent time in American history, as well as a love-letter to a cherished dog.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/emily-and-carlo\" title=\"Emily and Carlo\"\u003eEmily and Carlo\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/gabe-spread.jpg?1222918125662851290\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShelley Gill, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShelley Gill is hte author of many children's books, including \u003ci\u003eAlaska\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eHawai'i\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eSitka Rose\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003ePrickly Rose\u003c\/i\u003e. Shelley lives in Homer, Alaska.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/shelley-gill\" title=\"Author Shelley Gill\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Shelley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarc Scheff, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarc Scheff works as an illustrator, art director, curator, educator, and art evangelist. Marc lives in Brooklyn, New York.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/marc-scheff\" title=\"Illustrator Marc Scheff\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Marc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe saga began in 1972, as 17-year-old Gill administered first aid at a counterculture event called the Rainbow Gathering. When the crowds disperse, she was left with an unclaimed and injured dog, whom she dubs Gabe. This is an autobiographical account of Gill’s journey as she and her canine companion navigated the vast United States during the turbulent years at the end of the Vietnam War. Although the story may have been more successful with an older audience had it been told with more detail, it will be a fantastic supplement if used in conjunction with classroom discussions about the post-Vietnam era. Some of the references may be a bit adult for middle schoolers (e.g., hitchhiking, bad trips), while other allusions may simply be outside of the typical preteen frame of reference (e.g., Evel Knievel). Addressing this hurdle, the author provides contextual information at the back of the book, including simplified explanations of the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement, the women’s movement, and the meaning of the phrase Age of Aquarius. The illustrations are a fitting accompaniment to the text and exude a kaleidoscopic 1970s vibe. Gabe is no cute and cuddly pup and occasionally looks pretty terrifying. Nevertheless, animal lovers will appreciate the author’s attachment to her dog. VERDICT Although some of the themes may require explanation, this is a solid example of autobiography for younger teens. Times may have changed, but this tale of a young woman and her dog looking to find their place in the world will resonate across generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver five brisk chapters, Gill (Alaska's Dog Heroes) shares stories from her itinerant youth with an adoptive husky named Gabe as her steadfast companion. As readers follow Gill from city apartments to a Colorado teepee and the Alaskan wilderness, \"big and wild and full of possibilities,\" newcomer Scheff evokes the 1970s setting in dynamic full-bleed images that blend a whiff of psycheldelia with the sweeping lines of the Art Nouveau movement and a comic-book sense of dramtic action. Through it all, Gill's relationship with Gabe is at the forefront; this as much a tribute to him as it is autobiography. It's an undeniably unusual project--a middle-grade memoir in the form of an illustrated chapter book--yet Gill never talks down to her audience, whether mentioning the rampant drugs on the street in the 1970s New Orleans or a stint working illegally as a bartender. For readers beginning to realize that a conventional path may not be for them, Gill demonstrates the rewards of a life governed by a sense of adventure, a strong moral compass, and a dog at your side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust as Steinbeck took Charley on his travels, teenage Gill went with Gabe: \"Home was where your friends were, so Gabe and I became each other's home.\" More in search of a satisfactory place to settle down than some nebulous America, Gill recalls leaving home at 17 and meeting the blue merle husky mix that became her canine companion in a first aid tent at a 1972 Rainbow Tribe festival in Colorado. From there, the two hitchhiked to New Orleans, then onward across the country before fetching up, ultimately, in Alaska. As a late, glancing reference to marriage and divorce indicates, Gill leaves a lot out, but what she includes strings both simple adventures and emotionally complex moments one after another into an episodic but loving tribute. She describes living in the French Quarter, where \"overdoses and pistol-whippings by the police were common,\" losing her beloved dog and then being joyfully reunited, raising a litter of husky pups abandoned by their mother, and, in later years, running an Iditarod and finally holding Gabe in her arms as old age takes him. The tale is printed on full-bleed color paintings that add considerably to their vividness by centering on the author's independent, confident-looking figure and on a dog that, as often as not, is posed with teeth bared in a feral snarl. The story's focus on Gabe, as cranky and independent as his human, makes for a surprisingly accessible introduction to the 1970s for middle graders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith cover art reminiscent of a psychedelic rock poster, this illustrated memoir, full of rich color, is clearly rooted in the early 1970s. That's when Gill, at 17, left home to begin a vagabond life that would take her from festivals in Colorado to dicey streets in New Orleans, concrete canyons in New York, and finally to Alaska. Centered around Gill's dog--the titular Gabe--this story is one of countercultural adventure. Because of references to hitchhiking, break-ins, and drugs, this is ideal for teens--and even adults--interested in tales of alternative lifestyles and the turmoil of the post-Vietnam era. Scheff catches the roiling times and Gill's obvious nostalgia with busy brushstrokes and captures Gabe's ferocity and tenderness. This quick read, appealing to those who struggle with longer memoirs, will satisfy readers when Gill settles down in the snowy forty-ninth state, where Gabe's wolf-dog tendencies are especially suited. The concluding pages, called \"Signs of the Times,\" explain Vietnam protests, the Age of Aquarius, and the Equal Rights Amendment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/gabe-cvr.jpg?1222918125662851290\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/gabe-hires.zip?14005800259474850291\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-57091-354-9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-645-6 EPUB\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: 978-1-60734-762-0 PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 8-12\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 64\u003cbr\u003e6 x 9\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCorrelated to Common Core State Standards:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Informational. Grade 4. Standards 1-5, 10\u003cbr\u003eEnglish Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Informational. Grade 5. Standards 1-4, 8,10\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}

Gabe

Gabe

A Story of Me, My Dog, and the 1970s

By: Shelley Gill / Illustrated by: Marc Scheff

Coming of age in the Age of Aquarius.

Author Shelley Gill was seventeen-years-old in 1972 and a free spirit protesting the Vietnam War, marching for civil rights, and finding her way in a changing world. While volunteering in the medical tent at a gathering, Shelley met Gabe—an abandoned blue merle-husky mix puppy. Gabe quickly became Shelley's best friend and protector. They traveled the country together, hitchhiking to New Orleans, Indiana, New York City, the Rocky Mountains, and eventually to Alaska, where they stayed.

Shelley Gill has lived full-force, and her spirit and attitude are ever-present in this autobiography—a snapshot of a turbulent time in American history, as well as a love-letter to a cherished dog.

$ 12.95
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Shelley Gill, author

Shelley Gill is hte author of many children's books, including Alaska, Hawai'i, Sitka Rose, and Prickly Rose. Shelley lives in Homer, Alaska.

Read more about Shelley.


Marc Scheff, illustrator

Marc Scheff works as an illustrator, art director, curator, educator, and art evangelist. Marc lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Read more about Marc.

  • Coming soon!

School Library Journal

The saga began in 1972, as 17-year-old Gill administered first aid at a counterculture event called the Rainbow Gathering. When the crowds disperse, she was left with an unclaimed and injured dog, whom she dubs Gabe. This is an autobiographical account of Gill’s journey as she and her canine companion navigated the vast United States during the turbulent years at the end of the Vietnam War. Although the story may have been more successful with an older audience had it been told with more detail, it will be a fantastic supplement if used in conjunction with classroom discussions about the post-Vietnam era. Some of the references may be a bit adult for middle schoolers (e.g., hitchhiking, bad trips), while other allusions may simply be outside of the typical preteen frame of reference (e.g., Evel Knievel). Addressing this hurdle, the author provides contextual information at the back of the book, including simplified explanations of the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement, the women’s movement, and the meaning of the phrase Age of Aquarius. The illustrations are a fitting accompaniment to the text and exude a kaleidoscopic 1970s vibe. Gabe is no cute and cuddly pup and occasionally looks pretty terrifying. Nevertheless, animal lovers will appreciate the author’s attachment to her dog. VERDICT Although some of the themes may require explanation, this is a solid example of autobiography for younger teens. Times may have changed, but this tale of a young woman and her dog looking to find their place in the world will resonate across generations.

Publishers Weekly

Over five brisk chapters, Gill (Alaska's Dog Heroes) shares stories from her itinerant youth with an adoptive husky named Gabe as her steadfast companion. As readers follow Gill from city apartments to a Colorado teepee and the Alaskan wilderness, "big and wild and full of possibilities," newcomer Scheff evokes the 1970s setting in dynamic full-bleed images that blend a whiff of psycheldelia with the sweeping lines of the Art Nouveau movement and a comic-book sense of dramtic action. Through it all, Gill's relationship with Gabe is at the forefront; this as much a tribute to him as it is autobiography. It's an undeniably unusual project--a middle-grade memoir in the form of an illustrated chapter book--yet Gill never talks down to her audience, whether mentioning the rampant drugs on the street in the 1970s New Orleans or a stint working illegally as a bartender. For readers beginning to realize that a conventional path may not be for them, Gill demonstrates the rewards of a life governed by a sense of adventure, a strong moral compass, and a dog at your side.

Kirkus Reviews

Just as Steinbeck took Charley on his travels, teenage Gill went with Gabe: "Home was where your friends were, so Gabe and I became each other's home." More in search of a satisfactory place to settle down than some nebulous America, Gill recalls leaving home at 17 and meeting the blue merle husky mix that became her canine companion in a first aid tent at a 1972 Rainbow Tribe festival in Colorado. From there, the two hitchhiked to New Orleans, then onward across the country before fetching up, ultimately, in Alaska. As a late, glancing reference to marriage and divorce indicates, Gill leaves a lot out, but what she includes strings both simple adventures and emotionally complex moments one after another into an episodic but loving tribute. She describes living in the French Quarter, where "overdoses and pistol-whippings by the police were common," losing her beloved dog and then being joyfully reunited, raising a litter of husky pups abandoned by their mother, and, in later years, running an Iditarod and finally holding Gabe in her arms as old age takes him. The tale is printed on full-bleed color paintings that add considerably to their vividness by centering on the author's independent, confident-looking figure and on a dog that, as often as not, is posed with teeth bared in a feral snarl. The story's focus on Gabe, as cranky and independent as his human, makes for a surprisingly accessible introduction to the 1970s for middle graders.

Booklist

With cover art reminiscent of a psychedelic rock poster, this illustrated memoir, full of rich color, is clearly rooted in the early 1970s. That's when Gill, at 17, left home to begin a vagabond life that would take her from festivals in Colorado to dicey streets in New Orleans, concrete canyons in New York, and finally to Alaska. Centered around Gill's dog--the titular Gabe--this story is one of countercultural adventure. Because of references to hitchhiking, break-ins, and drugs, this is ideal for teens--and even adults--interested in tales of alternative lifestyles and the turmoil of the post-Vietnam era. Scheff catches the roiling times and Gill's obvious nostalgia with busy brushstrokes and captures Gabe's ferocity and tenderness. This quick read, appealing to those who struggle with longer memoirs, will satisfy readers when Gill settles down in the snowy forty-ninth state, where Gabe's wolf-dog tendencies are especially suited. The concluding pages, called "Signs of the Times," explain Vietnam protests, the Age of Aquarius, and the Equal Rights Amendment.

Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-57091-354-9

E-book
ISBN: 978-1-60734-645-6 EPUB
ISBN: 978-1-60734-762-0 PDF

Ages: 8-12
Page count: 64
6 x 9

Correlated to Common Core State Standards:
English Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Informational. Grade 4. Standards 1-5, 10
English Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Informational. Grade 5. Standards 1-4, 8,10