DogStar

JUNEAU, ALASKA, 1932. This is where thirteen-year-old Jeff Beacon is stranded when his parents take him on an Alaskan cruise to help him get over the death of his beloved dog, Buddy. The problem is that Jeff is a twenty-first century kid, with a laptop computer and hightop sneakers. Why has he been transported in time to the Alaskan frontier? And how can he find his way home? Jeff must answer these questions quickly — and his only help is the town's Bull Terrier, Patsy Ann.

With Patsy Ann as his guide, Jeff befriends the gruff Captain of the old sailboat DogStar and an adventurous girl named Rose. Together, they uncover a dangerous secret. When the Captain, Rose and Jeff hatch a plan to set things right in Juneau, Jeff must make a surprising choice about going home — and, once again, Patsy Ann holds the key.

Patsy Ann was a real Bull Terrier known as the official "Greeter of Juneau" during the 1930s. Although she was deaf from birth, Patsy Ann "heard" ships' whistles and greeted all new arrivals. Today, a bronze statue at the Juneau waterfront honours Patsy Ann.