Stella

This is a middle grade book told by a dog named Stella. Stella is trying to get over explosive chemical mistake and during that event her handler got killed. Stella is having some major anxiety issues, and she is going through new owners. I loved Stella has a character because I love seeing things for the eyes of a dog. I did wish Stella talked to the our dogs in this book. Stella was a great character, and this is a great book. I will be buying this book for my daughter and the school library. This is a great middle grade book from 3rd grade and higher (even adults). I think adults can learn to slow down and see things from other points of view while reading this book, and there are many other messages in this book. I loved the ending of this book so much. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Shadow Mountain) or author (McCall Hoyle) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

<blockquote> <i>All of a sudden, I realize I don’t just want to be good anymore. I want to be brave again too.</i> </blockquote><br /><b>What an absolutely HEARTWARMING story.</b><br /><br />I loved reading Stella’s inner monologue—she’s the <i>goodest</i> girl, filled with love and loyalty for her humans. McCall Hoyle also writes Stella’s POV in such an interesting way: with descriptions that are unconventional for a human but perfect for a dog. (For example, when someone dies, Stella says that they smell like the “outside” of themselves; a sheep, on the other hand, smells “vaguely like Connie’s old sweaters.”) <br /><br />The language in this novel is <b>accessible and uncomplicated without diluting the complexity and emotion of Stella’s experiences.</b> Hoyle deftly writes about coping with trauma, grieving one’s human, and trying one’s best to be loved despite recognizing one’s own shortcomings. Stella’s blossoming friendship with eleven-year-old Cloe was an especial highlight for me.<br /><br />Shout out to my good friend <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8022062-sheena" rel="nofollow noopener">Sheena</a> for recommending this to me! She warned me that I’d be needing a box of tissues on hand… and she was absolutely right.<br /><br /><b> <u>Bottom line:</u> </b> Stella may be a dog—a very, very good dog—but her experiences, her story, transcend species.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><i>Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. </i>

<br />Stella suffers from ptsd and the loss of her human after missing the scent of an explosive at an airport. The book is told from her point of view and I think Hoyle did a wonderful job in portraying her. She felt so real and I absolutely loved her. I even cried about five times.<br /><br />The story is very wholesome, full of love and hope. There’s an underlying message that every dog deserves another chance but I think it can also be taken into a context where everyone and anyone deserves a second chance as well. This is perfect for any readers of all age and I do think the underlying message is lovely. I plan on buying a copy of this for my shelf when it is published. <br /><br />Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.<br />

Stella Bella is THE star of this book, and rightly so. She has been through the trauma of losing her handler in an airport bombing incident. Two foster homes since have not found a way to help her move forward. A last minute reprieve when Stella is about to go under the needle leads Stella to meet Cloe. Cloe's mother Esperanza is experienced with dogs and sets down some sensible rules and regulations for Stella. There are two other dogs and a crafty cat named Oscar on the farm where Stella now resides. I love how she describes her new roomies and especially her thoughts on the sheep! What Esperanza and Cloe don't know yet is how Stella's sniffer will be a lifesaving skill in the future. If you love books written from the perspective of the animal, then you will love this book. It reminded me of 'The One and Only Bob' and 'Bad Bella.' <br /><br />Thank you to Shadow Mountain and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Recommended by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8022062-sheena" rel="nofollow noopener">Sheena?</a> and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62495635-emma" rel="nofollow noopener">Emma☀️</a>

Aww! This was a sweet book!<br /><br />Characters:<br />This was told through Stella's POV (the dog) and it was so cute! I loved her! Just the sweetest beagle ever!!!<br /><br />Themes:<br />That sometimes we have to do the things we think we can't and that our mistakes don't define us. Its was a cute story...there was some instances of Stell hearing Connie (her deceased handler) talk to her that I wasn't entirely comfortable with but...that was it.<br /><br />Overall:<br />This was a cute book! Not exactly what I was expecting based on the blurb but still a really cute story!

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.<br /><br />Stella is a children's book (which I thoroughly enjoyed as an adult) about love and friendship and how the two together can rescue and save people and in this case an animal too.<br />Stella is a beagle and the POV in this story is told through Stella. Stella is an ex-service dog who worked at the airport with her owner until a chemical blast killed her owner and caused Stella PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Stella has been placed in several adoptive homes but because of her PTSD she keeps being moved on. Stella desperately wants to survive and be with her old owner and doesn't understand why she can't be with her anymore. <br />Stella gets help in rehabilitation and finds another new home with a little girl with epilepsy. Stella saves her life and unbeknown to the girl, she saves Stella's too with her live and friendship. <br />This is such a beautiful book and so cleverly well written. It brought tears of sadness and joy to my eyes with its powerful story and message. <br />Thank you for such an amazing story. This will stay in my heart and mind forever.

I kept seeing this book cover at the library and finally decided I needed to add it to my books I love because of the cover. Guess what? I loved it!<br /><br />Cloe is a young girl whose mother, Esparanza, trains dogs. Esparanza loses a friend in an explosion at the airport and she adopts her dog, Stella. Stella is a beagle that has had one job her whole life: sniff out explosives. She failed once and now her life is upside down. She is suffering from PTSD and after trying different homes, Esparanza is her last chance at a normal life.<br /><br />Cloe is immediately in love with Stella. Stella knows Cloe is her human now and wants to be with her always. There is some mayhem that ensues, but it all is good in the end. <br /><br />I loved the warmth between Cloe and Stella. I love that the book is told from Stella's POV. I'm so glad I picked this up. <br /><br />

This book reminded me why I love middle grade so much! Stella was so charming and full of heart, my heart broke and mended for our brave protagonist. <br />The book was told in Stella’s POV and Hoyle did a fantastic job at portraying Stella’s emotions and misgivings. She really felt like a real, fleshed-out character that you can’t help but root for until the very end. Stella’s PTSD was well-handled and researched, which is a huge plus.<br /><br /><i>Stella</i> was a powerful tale of love, hope and bravery. Perfect for dog-lovers alike and I highly recommend!<br /><br /><i>Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I cried tears of joy as I read STELLA, a heart-grabbing story told from the POV of an injured service dog. The beagle has one last chance to be adopted after she develops PTSD following an explosion that kills her handler. Retired from service, she fails with one adoptive family after another. But an expert trainer has faith in her, and Stella so badly wants to be useful again. <br /><br />Her match with young Chloe and her family proves a godsend. Stella can smell chemicals released before Chloe has an epileptic attack, and just as Stella’s gift saves Chloe, the girl’s love saves Stella. That precious cover captures the sweetness of their bond. A must-read for middle graders or anyone awed by the canine-human connection. <br /><br />5 of 5 Stars<br />Pub Date 02 Mar 2021<br />#Stella #NetGalley<br /><br />Thanks to the author, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.