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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ETA: Apparently this is the book which was switched into the Nominee list instead of The List of Things That Will Not Change. I was made to read this book because of homophobia!
1.5/5 stars
This is a Golden Sower Chapter Book Nominee for 2022-23, which is why I picked it up as I'm not typically into books with animal narrators. Read attentively up to 65%, skimmed the rest; I would have left it without a star rating, but I grew impatient with the handling of language in this book and would like to leave a note about that in particular. I know this book is not really for me.
Stella is narrated in first-person present-tense from the perspective of a dog. Stella doesn't understand human language aside from certain phrases, like her name, commands, and foods. She mostly makes sense of what humans and other animals are saying through body language, smells, tone of voice, etc. But human dialogue is rendered in plain English - not, for example, italicized, or left indirect - so a reader will frequently have situations where they 1) read and understand what a human character is saying, 2) have it reinforced in the prose with Stella's reading of sight and sounds, and then 3) have Stella misunderstand the situation and react at odds. There is dramatic irony and then there is cognitive disconnect. Basic communication problems as a plot device are for sure a pet peeve of mine, but I really wonder at the editor's choice here, especially since Stella frequently talks about how human communication is weird to her, and she wishes she could understand them or speak with them, and there's even a moment where she tried. To top it off near the end of the book which not only broke my immersion but exasperated my major complaint to another degree.
1.5/5 stars
This is a Golden Sower Chapter Book Nominee for 2022-23, which is why I picked it up as I'm not typically into books with animal narrators. Read attentively up to 65%, skimmed the rest; I would have left it without a star rating, but I grew impatient with the handling of language in this book and would like to leave a note about that in particular. I know this book is not really for me.
Stella is narrated in first-person present-tense from the perspective of a dog. Stella doesn't understand human language aside from certain phrases, like her name, commands, and foods. She mostly makes sense of what humans and other animals are saying through body language, smells, tone of voice, etc. But human dialogue is rendered in plain English - not, for example, italicized, or left indirect - so a reader will frequently have situations where they 1) read and understand what a human character is saying, 2) have it reinforced in the prose with Stella's reading of sight and sounds, and then 3) have Stella misunderstand the situation and react at odds. There is dramatic irony and then there is cognitive disconnect. Basic communication problems as a plot device are for sure a pet peeve of mine, but I really wonder at the editor's choice here, especially since Stella frequently talks about how human communication is weird to her, and she wishes she could understand them or speak with them, and there's even a moment where she tried. To top it off near the end of the book
Spoiler
her old trainer, Connie, appears in a metaphysical haze and speaks to Stella
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Fans of Kristin Tubb’s A Dog Like Daisy or Zeus Dog of Chaos, will also enjoy this book. Told from Stella’s point of view, we learn how she went through the loss of her favorite owner and has had trouble since finding someone who can deal with her needs and behavior.
She was trained to sniff explosives and has a keen sense of smell and how to alert people in crisis. Since she lost her owner, she is scared of loud noises and losing someone else precious to her.
She finds someone she connects with, who has epilepsy. She can smell changes in her body, unbeknownst to those around her.
This short read is perfect for younger readers who love animal stories - even if they are a little sad at times; this one doesn’t disappoint.
I read this book for the Oklahoma Sequoyah 2023 children’s list.
“We all make mistakes. That’s what Connie said. I made one mistake—one time—long ago that day in the airport. But that mistake doesn’t define me. It doesn’t erase all the good work I’ve done. And it won’t stop me from doing the most important work of my life taking place right here, right now in this forest.” Ch 18
“It dawns on me that maybe that’s the meaning of true love. Maybe love isn’t something that can be earned through good work or destroyed by bad mistakes. Maybe true love is trusting someone or something so much that you feel safe enough to be yourself with them.” Ch 21
She was trained to sniff explosives and has a keen sense of smell and how to alert people in crisis. Since she lost her owner, she is scared of loud noises and losing someone else precious to her.
She finds someone she connects with, who has epilepsy. She can smell changes in her body, unbeknownst to those around her.
This short read is perfect for younger readers who love animal stories - even if they are a little sad at times; this one doesn’t disappoint.
I read this book for the Oklahoma Sequoyah 2023 children’s list.
“We all make mistakes. That’s what Connie said. I made one mistake—one time—long ago that day in the airport. But that mistake doesn’t define me. It doesn’t erase all the good work I’ve done. And it won’t stop me from doing the most important work of my life taking place right here, right now in this forest.” Ch 18
“It dawns on me that maybe that’s the meaning of true love. Maybe love isn’t something that can be earned through good work or destroyed by bad mistakes. Maybe true love is trusting someone or something so much that you feel safe enough to be yourself with them.” Ch 21
Really enjoyed reading this book with my 7 and 9 yr old advanced readers. We loved the emotional ups and downs of the story and how Stella had to battle her own fears to be the best dog she could be. The connection between Cloe and Stella was so sweet. We loved the progression of friendship and trust that was formed between the two characters. My children loved the various plot twists and the uncertainty that kept popping up whenever Stella found herself in a precarious situation. We all wished that Vern’s nephews would have been handed severe punishments in the story vs it being eluded to.
Overall this was a wonderful read that we really enjoyed together. It reminded of us what a special bond there is between animals and humans.
Overall this was a wonderful read that we really enjoyed together. It reminded of us what a special bond there is between animals and humans.
This book was very stressful to read. I hope it doesn’t stress students out. It is a good story that ends well.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced