Harvey Comes Home - (The Harvey Stories) by Colleen Nelson

About the Book

"A young boy volunteering at a retirement home finds a stray dog and notices that it revives decades-old memories for a bitter resident. The boy bonds with the resident as he listens to stories about growing up in Saskatchewan during the Great Depression. Thanks to his new friend and his canine companion, the elderly man is able to pass away peacefully, immersed in fond memories of his youth."--

Book Synopsis

The award-winning story of a lost West Highland Terrier warming hearts and bringing generations together

A dog's world is a world of scents, of adventure. When a Harvey the West Highland Terrier wanders out of his old life guided only by his nose and his heart, lives begin to converge.

Austin, a young volunteer at the Brayside retirement home, quickly finds that the audacious Harvey inspires Mr. Pickering, a bitter resident coping with memory loss, to tell stories of his childhood. Moved by the elderly man's Dust Bowl recollections of grinding poverty and the perseverance of his friends and family, Austin begins to trade his preconceived notions for empathy. But is it enough to give him the resolve to track down Harvey's original owner?

Supported by warm graphite illustrations from acclaimed artist Tara Anderson, author Colleen Nelson immerses readers in a rich and unflinchingly human tale of struggle and hope--all inspired by one curious dog.

★ STARRED REVIEW "[T]his gently paced, character-driven narrative captivates on every level, transforming a 'lost dog' story into a deeper reading experience. Present-day and historical time lines (with a few grim moments) are seamlessly interwoven and keep readers invested. Back matter reveals that the tale was inspired by Nelson's grandfather, accounting for the book's authentic, intimate feel. Nelson's first middle grade novel is heartwarming and inspirational; a first purchase."--School Library Journal Starred Review

Review Quotes

Praise for Harvey Comes Home

2019 Northern Lights Book Award: Pre-Teen Fiction Winner

2021 Forest of Reading Silver Birch Fiction nominee

2020 SYRCA Diamond Willow Award Finalist

2020 CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens Spring Selection

2020 Bank Street Best Book selection

2021 Rocky Mountain Book Award - Fiction Shortlist

2019 Kirkus Reviews 30 Most Anticipated Middle-Grade Books for Fall selection

★ STARRED REVIEW "[T]his gently paced, character-driven narrative captivates on every level, transforming a 'lost dog' story into a deeper reading experience. Present-day and historical time lines (with a few grim moments) are seamlessly interwoven and keep readers invested. Back matter reveals that the tale was inspired by Nelson's grandfather, accounting for the book's authentic, intimate feel. Nelson's first middle grade novel is heartwarming and inspirational; a first purchase."--School Library Journal Starred Review

"Affecting, riveting, and evocative, this character-driven tale within a tale...believably reveals the best and sometimes the worst of human nature....Much more than a lost-dog story."--Kirkus Reviews

"Throughout, alternating third-person chapters from Maggie, Harvey, and Austin give readers a rounded view of each prominent character....Dog lovers will drool over this multi-generational story."--Booklist

"The chapters alternate from the perspectives of Austin, Harvey, and Maggie, an effective device that allows readers to develop an understanding of the emotions and behaviors of the characters."--ILA Literacy Daily, "Compassion, Empathy, and Understanding"

"Both Harvey Comes Home and Harvey Holds His Own are heartwarming tales that will be much loved by anyone who has ever owned a dog or wanted one....The chapters are also kept short so that even reluctant readers will not find these stories too challenging to read....I highly encourage parents, teachers and librarians to add these two titles to their shelves and hope there will be another story coming soon."--Canadian Children's Book News

"Rating: E...Children who love animal stories will be eager to devour this story. The narrative is simple, endearing, and gentle but is touched by some sadness at the end....Harvey Comes Home is a sweet, lovable and adorable story that readers will enjoy regardless of their age. Colleen Nelson's wonderfully woven story of a dog, a boy, and some seniors deserves a place on a shelf in every school and public library."--Resource Links

"Harvey Comes Home is a gentle story about a slow build to friendship between generations that would be of interest to all readers and a wonderful choice for reading aloud. Harvey Comes Home is about so much more than a lost dog, and I can see this book being one that any reader would treasure. Highly Recommended."--CM Magazine

"Rating: 5/5...This story flips from the present, Maggie searching for Harvey and Austin trying to keep up the ruse, and the stories of Mr. Pickering that take place in the 1930's during some particularly challenging times....I found it was the stories provided by Mr. Pickering that kept me turning the pages of this book. I really wanted to know what happened to him, his family, and his special friend..."--Youth Services Book Review

"Colleen Nelson has written a new book that will especially resonate with pet lovers....Mid-grade readers will enjoy this story of love, loyalty and endurance, in which Tara Anderson shows her versatility by supplying charming black-and-white illustrations."--Winnipeg Free Press

"In her first middle-grade novel, [Colleen Nelson] is able to grab the reader's heartstrings while blending a dog story with an intergenerational relationship and embedding profound reflections on the Depression and the Dust Bowl. It's a complete package as Harvey's, Maggie's and Austin's stories converge, integrated with heart and important messages about connecting with others and forgiveness for mistakes made when scared, hurt or alone."--CanLit for LittleCanadians

"Not only will the reader enjoy learning about Harvey's adventures and whether he will get back to his family, but also about the dust storms, droughts, poverty and difficult lives of those who lived on the prairies during the 1930s. Readers will also learn about how dogs greatly enrich our lives, including the special work done by therapy dogs, and how people often aren't as they appear. Excellent book for middle-grade readers!"--Toronto.com, "Good novels for older children and teenagers"

"The power of Harvey Comes Home lies in Nelson's skilled storytelling. Fully drawn characters, including the curious little Westie, are absolutely believable. Her ability to bring history to life for any aged reader makes this book a must read. Delightful illustrations by Tara Anderson add a touch of whimsy to an already 5-star book."--Sheryl McFarlane, author of Waiting for the Whales

"A joyful and heartrending story of life and love and loyalty...perfect for fifth, sixth and seventh grade classroom novel studies, perfect for teaching the elements of fiction and of human values."--Books for Kids Blog

"We rated this book: [5/5] I loved Harvey Comes Home because of the feeling and emotion in it....If I had to describe this book in 1 sentence I would say, 'heartfelt and wonderful.'"--Kids' Book Buzz, Natalie, Age 9

"This book is special. It's a story of unlikely friendships... I like it because of the many storylines and the depth of the story."--Brayden, 12, WFP Summer Reading Challenge