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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
I absolutely loved this book! It was so sweet and such a great love story to rescue dogs. This book is wonderful because it highlights important topics in such a relatable way for kids. Stella was a heartwarming read and I loved every second of it. I’lll be recommending this one to all the kids in my life. My thanks to the publisher for sending me a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!
This book had me SOBBING and determined to be more patient and affectionate with my own dog. It does such a great job If depicting canine behavior in a way that’s both realistic and humanizing. I loved it so much and highly recommend it.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this because it is on the 2022/23 Texas Bluebonnet reading list. This book is a perfect addition to this list and I truly think kids will love it. There are tense moments, there are bullies, and there is an adorable dog narrating the whole thing. I loved the way the author describes the way dogs communicate and how things can be confusing to them, especially when they've learned things one way and are then forced to learn the exact things a different way or with a different word. I think kids who have dogs will see them in a whole new light after reading this. And, I think kids who don't have dogs will beg their parents to get them one after reading this. I will definitely put this in my library and promote to every student I can.
This is a heart-warming gem told from a dog’s perspective and her experiences with humans, other animals, feelings, and smells. The writing is very easy to understand but does not take away from the complexities of emotions Stella is feeling throughout the book. Hoyle does an exceptional job at addressing topics of death, grief, PTSD, trauma, trust, and healing. Stellas relationship with Cloe was especially heart-warming because it doesn’t happen overnight, instead it develops through trial, error and learning to trust one another. This is a must-have book in everyone’s bookshelf!
Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the complimentary ARC. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the complimentary ARC. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
Plot:
Stella is a beagle and was told she was the best girl in the world by Connie. But, Connie does not say that to her anymore, because Connie is dead and it is all Stella’s fault. As a bomb-sniffing dog, Stella worked at an airport and knew how important she and Connie's job was to keep people safe. Yet, when Stella was thinking about supper rather than the funny smelling suitcase, she sent it through and ended up causing a massive and deadly explosion. Now suffering PTSD, Stella has been with three families in a row, all unable to deal with her anxiety and behaviors. With her last human, Diana, sending Stella to her death sentence, a new opportunity appeared to Stella. One of Connie’s old college friends and experienced dog trainer, Esperanza, takes Stella on, bringing her home to her daughter Cloe. Cloe, knowing Stella’s risk, begs her mom to let her train Stella to be an agility dog, something beagles are normally not used for. Working hand in hand, Stella learns to sense Cloe's body chemistry and knows when her small human is about to have a seizure. With neighborhood bullies and a sheepdog that does not want to play, Stella must adjust to this new lifestyle, one she wants only knows it is only for good girls, and she is a very very bad one for hurting Connie.
Thoughts:
I never thought a dog would make me so emotional, but McCall Hoyle had me with this beautiful tale written from the point of view of Stella, a beagle. Stella has PTSD which causes her anxiety, and that is clearly demonstrated throughout the book as Stella knows what she has to do to be a good dog, but her body and mind will not let her. Every single main character is loveable in this novel, as Hoyle has you falling in love with Stella, Cloe, Esperanza, and the other animals on the farm as well. With easy writing and a short plot, I finished this book in a day, leaving me with happy feelings and wanting a dog. Hoyle did their research with this one, as research has shown that beagles can sniff up epileptic seizures in people with 100% accuracy for up to 45 minutes before it happens, which is what Hoyle has for Cloe and Stella. Honestly, this book hits you on both ends of the emotional scale, you have Cloe who struggles to make friends thus her reliance on pets, and Stella who is suffering from PTSD and relies on humans constantly being around her. Meant for a younger audience, like elementary students, I would read this novel even at my old age (23 is old friends), as it is a cute, funny, lovable story about a little girl and her dog.
Stella is a beagle and was told she was the best girl in the world by Connie. But, Connie does not say that to her anymore, because Connie is dead and it is all Stella’s fault. As a bomb-sniffing dog, Stella worked at an airport and knew how important she and Connie's job was to keep people safe. Yet, when Stella was thinking about supper rather than the funny smelling suitcase, she sent it through and ended up causing a massive and deadly explosion. Now suffering PTSD, Stella has been with three families in a row, all unable to deal with her anxiety and behaviors. With her last human, Diana, sending Stella to her death sentence, a new opportunity appeared to Stella. One of Connie’s old college friends and experienced dog trainer, Esperanza, takes Stella on, bringing her home to her daughter Cloe. Cloe, knowing Stella’s risk, begs her mom to let her train Stella to be an agility dog, something beagles are normally not used for. Working hand in hand, Stella learns to sense Cloe's body chemistry and knows when her small human is about to have a seizure. With neighborhood bullies and a sheepdog that does not want to play, Stella must adjust to this new lifestyle, one she wants only knows it is only for good girls, and she is a very very bad one for hurting Connie.
Thoughts:
I never thought a dog would make me so emotional, but McCall Hoyle had me with this beautiful tale written from the point of view of Stella, a beagle. Stella has PTSD which causes her anxiety, and that is clearly demonstrated throughout the book as Stella knows what she has to do to be a good dog, but her body and mind will not let her. Every single main character is loveable in this novel, as Hoyle has you falling in love with Stella, Cloe, Esperanza, and the other animals on the farm as well. With easy writing and a short plot, I finished this book in a day, leaving me with happy feelings and wanting a dog. Hoyle did their research with this one, as research has shown that beagles can sniff up epileptic seizures in people with 100% accuracy for up to 45 minutes before it happens, which is what Hoyle has for Cloe and Stella. Honestly, this book hits you on both ends of the emotional scale, you have Cloe who struggles to make friends thus her reliance on pets, and Stella who is suffering from PTSD and relies on humans constantly being around her. Meant for a younger audience, like elementary students, I would read this novel even at my old age (23 is old friends), as it is a cute, funny, lovable story about a little girl and her dog.
This story was absolutely adorable. It is written from Stella's point of view and that makes it such a fun read. I think readers of all ages would love this book, even my 1st graders! Stella was a bomb sniffing dog that had some PTSD from a bad explosion that killed her handler (all explained in VERY kid friendly terms and not too scary). She is getting rehabilitated by an 11 year old girl and her dog training mom. Together they learn how to become more than just a mini trainer and traumatized dog. It is so heartwarming and lovely.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Such a sweet story of Stella the bomb sniffing dog trying to find her place after she has been released from her duties following a tragic accident. This is a perfect middle grade book especially for students who love animals, as it’s told from the perspective of Stella the beagle. Another great book by McCall Hoyle!
I cried while reading this. It’s told from Stella’s POV. Stella is a beagle who’s been trained to sniff out bombs by her trainer, Connie. But when an explosion at a local airport goes horrible wrong, Stella is out into a foster home. She is then taken in by Esperanza, a fellow trainer, who thinks she can help. There Stella finds her true calling. Esperanza’s daughter Chloe convinced her mom to let her start training Stella. The two form a bond much deeper than either realize. Great book and I highly enjoyed it!!