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Stella Batts #5
Who's in Charge
In "Who's in Charge" Stella gets a lesson in responsibility when she volunteers to watch her best friend’s dog, Bella, for a few days. The only problem with this plan is that Stella didn’t ask her mother for permission. With new baby Marco at home, Stella’s mom already has her hands full. But Grandma agrees it’s good for Stella to have some responsibility as she’s getting older. It looks as though Stella has things under control. It’s only for a few days—what could go wrong? When Bella gets loose and runs away, Stella is heartbroken. Will Stella find Bella before Evie gets back? And where does she even start to look? It’s just another day in the life of Stella Batts! In this early chapter book series, the ups and downs of Stella’s life are charmingly chronicled.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2013
151 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Courtney Sheinmel
41 books259 followersBorn in California. Raised in New York. Went to law school, now write full time. Love: long walks, fresh notebooks, the smell of brownies, pomegranate seeds. Don't love: yogurt, spam (the email kind, and the food kind), deep water, deserted city streets.
Newest book: THE SECRETS OF LOVELACE ACADEMY, co-written with Marie Benedict, available on April 22, 2025.
I love to hear from readers! Email me! Ask a question! I promise to reply.
Newest book: THE SECRETS OF LOVELACE ACADEMY, co-written with Marie Benedict, available on April 22, 2025.
I love to hear from readers! Email me! Ask a question! I promise to reply.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 3, 2020
157 pages. Book 5 proves to be full of dog drama when Stella agrees to keep Evie's dog while she is away visiting relatives in England. Once Bella escapes, Stella gets very upset and won't stop until she can find her friend's beloved pet. In the meantime, Baby Marco has arrived and gets a lot of attention, which upsets middle child Penny. This is a very realistic type book that third-grade girls will relate to easily and enjoy. Highly recommended for Grades 3-4.
October 13, 2020
3.5 stars
June 20, 2020
Miss 5 has loved listening to the entire Stella Batts series on Audible. She moved onto Stella (thankfully) after going through the entire Wimpy Kid series (who she called 'the moany kid'). The initial hook with the Stella book is that her family have a candy store and Stella often gets to help test the products. Mainly though the books are drama / fiction about her day to day life as she navigates friends, school, and a growing family. What we both like about these books is that Stella is a genuinely nice kid with a kind supportive mum who treats her children well. Stella's family is bigger now as it becomes three kids, a dog, and Grandma spending time with them as well to help. I imagine that it will resonate with parents of multiple kids when they need to explain to young ones why one of the other siblings might need them more right at that moment.
Miss 5 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 5 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
November 14, 2019
Stella watches her friend's dog in book five.
Lessons in responsibility and pet care.
The dog runs away but with help from friends and family, is found.
Elementary level readers will relate to the actions and feelings as Stella continues to figure out growing up.
Lessons in responsibility and pet care.
The dog runs away but with help from friends and family, is found.
Elementary level readers will relate to the actions and feelings as Stella continues to figure out growing up.
October 15, 2017
I love this book but I gave it a three because there wasn't a lot of detail and I NEED detail.
January 22, 2021
An adorable feel-good, enjoyable read. Great junior book 😊
May 17, 2021
its a good book
Read
December 6, 2024(Good for ages 6-9)
September 14, 2025
6 year old review - I was really worried about the dog going missing.
I’m so glad they got it back
I’m so glad they got it back
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2019
I just finished this for the second time with my oldest daughter. We loved the book and series. Full review to follow soon.
...
My oldest daughter and I just finished this book for the second time. And this time She read it out loud to her younger brother, sister, and me. My oldest daughter and I had read all 10 Stella Batts books in 2016 and 2017. Back when we first started reading them, they were a real struggle for her. At that time, I was reading two pages for every page she struggled through. Now she has read us this whole book in two sittings. It is a great book and wonderful series. She loved these books, and it was her request to go back and reread the whole series. Rereading the series together is proving to be a lot of fun. And with almost 2 years between when we last read this one and now, it is amazing to see the progress in her ability and comprehension.
This book has turned the Stella Batts books into a family favorite, this one has been read twice now, and is likely to be reread again soon. This time through the illustrations really captivated the attention of my girls, both the oldest and youngest stopped our reading a few times to go over the pictures. Maybe it was the dog, or maybe it was the giant mess in Stella’s room, but something this time really captivated them. Jennifer A. Bell has done some wonderful illustrations in this book and throughout the series.
This book is the midway point in the Stella Batts series, in the volumes before this one, she wanted a new name, had an incident with hair and gum, had a best friend move away, and met a new close friend, and dealt with a bully. In this book shortly after the birth of her little brother, her grandmother gives her permission to bring home a dog and dog sit for 4 days. Some conflict ensures between Stella’s mother and grandmother. Including Stella noticing her mother uses the same tone and looks on her mother when she is upset, that have been used on Stella herself. In this book it is interesting to watch the intergenerational interactions. But the main plot line is that Bella escapes, and Stella is heartbroken.
My oldest loves that these books are written as if Stella is writing them herself. She appreciated Stella’s mother coming around even though she is not a pet person. And She loved that Stella’s little sister tried to share her stuffie and climbed in bed to comfort her older sister. My youngest loves the bit about the middle child feeling left out and trying to act like a baby and act out. And both the girls could not believe the mess that was made in Stella’s room. (I had to be firm that this was not an idea to be copied, there are better ways to get attention.)
Overall it is a great Middle Grade read, in the realistic fiction genre. We love that the events in these books could easily happen in our home, or with friends, or family. We love watching the changes in the family as the stories progress. And the great things about these books is that my oldest, my most reluctant reader loves them and wanted to read them again. And not only that but she cant stop reading them we are doubling her minimum required reading time because she wants to keep reading.
A great read in an excellent series!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Courtney Sheinmel.
...
My oldest daughter and I just finished this book for the second time. And this time She read it out loud to her younger brother, sister, and me. My oldest daughter and I had read all 10 Stella Batts books in 2016 and 2017. Back when we first started reading them, they were a real struggle for her. At that time, I was reading two pages for every page she struggled through. Now she has read us this whole book in two sittings. It is a great book and wonderful series. She loved these books, and it was her request to go back and reread the whole series. Rereading the series together is proving to be a lot of fun. And with almost 2 years between when we last read this one and now, it is amazing to see the progress in her ability and comprehension.
This book has turned the Stella Batts books into a family favorite, this one has been read twice now, and is likely to be reread again soon. This time through the illustrations really captivated the attention of my girls, both the oldest and youngest stopped our reading a few times to go over the pictures. Maybe it was the dog, or maybe it was the giant mess in Stella’s room, but something this time really captivated them. Jennifer A. Bell has done some wonderful illustrations in this book and throughout the series.
This book is the midway point in the Stella Batts series, in the volumes before this one, she wanted a new name, had an incident with hair and gum, had a best friend move away, and met a new close friend, and dealt with a bully. In this book shortly after the birth of her little brother, her grandmother gives her permission to bring home a dog and dog sit for 4 days. Some conflict ensures between Stella’s mother and grandmother. Including Stella noticing her mother uses the same tone and looks on her mother when she is upset, that have been used on Stella herself. In this book it is interesting to watch the intergenerational interactions. But the main plot line is that Bella escapes, and Stella is heartbroken.
My oldest loves that these books are written as if Stella is writing them herself. She appreciated Stella’s mother coming around even though she is not a pet person. And She loved that Stella’s little sister tried to share her stuffie and climbed in bed to comfort her older sister. My youngest loves the bit about the middle child feeling left out and trying to act like a baby and act out. And both the girls could not believe the mess that was made in Stella’s room. (I had to be firm that this was not an idea to be copied, there are better ways to get attention.)
Overall it is a great Middle Grade read, in the realistic fiction genre. We love that the events in these books could easily happen in our home, or with friends, or family. We love watching the changes in the family as the stories progress. And the great things about these books is that my oldest, my most reluctant reader loves them and wanted to read them again. And not only that but she cant stop reading them we are doubling her minimum required reading time because she wants to keep reading.
A great read in an excellent series!
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Courtney Sheinmel.
January 28, 2018
I actually really enjoyed reading this to Megan. Well, I enjoy reading all of the Stella Batts books to Megan, but this one in particular does a good job describing a realistic story in which Stella has a big responsibility and then it goes badly. I feel like the book handles all the emotions that go with having responsibilities and what to do when you make a mistake.
There's also the subplot with Penny dealing with having a new baby brother and wanting to be a baby to get more attention that I also really liked.
This is one of my favorite Stella Batts books. I'm glad Megan randomly picked it out to read again.
There's also the subplot with Penny dealing with having a new baby brother and wanting to be a baby to get more attention that I also really liked.
This is one of my favorite Stella Batts books. I'm glad Megan randomly picked it out to read again.
June 15, 2013
When her best friend Evie has to leave town for a few days, Stella volunteers to take care of her puppy, Bella. But taking care of a dog is a lot of responsibility, and Stella is distracted by her new baby brother and the sights along the street. When Bella accidentally gets loose, Stella is desperate to find her. There are good lessons here and some scary moments for the book's protagonist. As usual, the illustrations allow the nature of each character to be expressed vividly.
August 26, 2013
Stella is a great character for children to relate to and this book provides more of her fun, silliness, and worries. Stella is taking care of her friend's dog when things do no go exactly as planned. Penny provides plenty of humor with her jealousy of the new baby. I like this series as many children will find themselves in the same situations as the characters encounter in the Stella books.
November 25, 2013
Life with a new baby in the house is never a good feeling for the other children. Penny and Stella, I feel are trying to find their place in this new family setting. When Evie, Stella's friend comes by and asks for help with her dog the real adventure begins. I enjoyed it.
November 7, 2013
These are fun books for first graders. My granddaughter loves them, and they are a nice way to transition from picture books to chapter books.
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July 1, 2017Stella is really brave. This book is really good. This series was one of the first and best series I ever read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews