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From the author of Stella—nominated for fourteen Best Book of the Year state awards—this heartwarming story is about a street dog named Millie and a young girl who are both dealing with abandonment issues and must give trust and belonging a second chance.
Millie is a feisty border terrier who lives on the streets and has a keen sense for finding scraps of food, usually in the shadows or the cover of darkness. She protects herself with a shield of what is perceived by many as aggression—barking and snarling—when in reality, she is just plain scared.
Turned over to animal control after a recent run-in with the dogcatcher, Millie is rescued by a special teacher who also rehabilitates and rehomes dogs. It’s a win-win. Together the dogs and Ms. Berry's students learn emotional resilience, anger management, and other coping skills.
When one of the students, a struggling reader named Tori, shows a natural gift for dog training and working with fearful dogs, Millie is temporarily placed in her care. Tori may be young, but she knows a thing or two about anger, fear, and abandonment after her mother can no longer care for her and she is placed in kinship care with her grandfather. Millie wonders if she’s finally found her human and begins to let down her emotional guard. But when trust and belonging are challenged, Millie reverts to old habits—fleeing, hiding, and growling. Will she end up back on the streets? Or can Millie and Tori embrace their training, trust in each other, and find a forever home together?
Millie is a feisty border terrier who lives on the streets and has a keen sense for finding scraps of food, usually in the shadows or the cover of darkness. She protects herself with a shield of what is perceived by many as aggression—barking and snarling—when in reality, she is just plain scared.
Turned over to animal control after a recent run-in with the dogcatcher, Millie is rescued by a special teacher who also rehabilitates and rehomes dogs. It’s a win-win. Together the dogs and Ms. Berry's students learn emotional resilience, anger management, and other coping skills.
When one of the students, a struggling reader named Tori, shows a natural gift for dog training and working with fearful dogs, Millie is temporarily placed in her care. Tori may be young, but she knows a thing or two about anger, fear, and abandonment after her mother can no longer care for her and she is placed in kinship care with her grandfather. Millie wonders if she’s finally found her human and begins to let down her emotional guard. But when trust and belonging are challenged, Millie reverts to old habits—fleeing, hiding, and growling. Will she end up back on the streets? Or can Millie and Tori embrace their training, trust in each other, and find a forever home together?
224 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2024
55 people are currently reading
5177 people want to read
About the author
McCall Hoyle
7 books392 followersMcCall Hoyle lives in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains with her husband, children, and an odd assortment of pets. She is a middle school librarian and teacher. When she's not reading, writing, or teaching, she's probably training one of many dogs. You can learn more about her at mccallhoyle.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
October 7, 2025
This was such a sweet book! I love that it's set in NC, and there's a foster/reading struggle rep, which I loved!
Characters:
The MC is Millie, aka the dog! She's adorable and sweet, and the way Hoyle writes dogs feels so real!
Lee was such a nice person, and I enjoyed getting to see her train the dogs.
Tory was such a sweetie! I loved her and her struggle with learning to accept and let her mom back in... and her reading struggles and how confident Millie made her!
Romance:
A guy brings Lee flowers and sends her flowers at work.
Language:
N/A
Violence/Gore:
Some mentions of hungry dogs, some minor injuries, and being put to sleep. Also, Millie remembers being yelled at and hit. All handled super well.
Overall:
I loved this book! It was so precious and just a really good book was a great theme of looking for the best in people. It also has some great tips for helping kids understand why a dog might be scared, how to approach them, and even when they should be left alone.
Recommend age 7+
Characters:
The MC is Millie, aka the dog! She's adorable and sweet, and the way Hoyle writes dogs feels so real!
Lee was such a nice person, and I enjoyed getting to see her train the dogs.
Tory was such a sweetie! I loved her and her struggle with learning to accept and let her mom back in... and her reading struggles and how confident Millie made her!
Romance:
A guy brings Lee flowers and sends her flowers at work.
Language:
N/A
Violence/Gore:
Some mentions of hungry dogs, some minor injuries, and being put to sleep. Also, Millie remembers being yelled at and hit. All handled super well.
Overall:
I loved this book! It was so precious and just a really good book was a great theme of looking for the best in people. It also has some great tips for helping kids understand why a dog might be scared, how to approach them, and even when they should be left alone.
Recommend age 7+
February 27, 2024
I loved this book, told from a dogs point of view, and having had many dogs in my life, it was spot on.
Millie is a Border Terrier, and her start is very sad, and we are with this sweet dog as she tries to basically survive!
This book is geared at 8 to 11 year olds, but I think dog lovers of all ages will enjoy!
Millie is rescued from the shelter, and we follow her to see if they can rehabilitate, and we follow her at she misses the other dogs from her life that she loved.
I think that children are going to enjoy this, especially with the dog doing all the thinking! Her tail tight between her legs, or her tail wagging, the smells of food and those she loves! They will be wondering if she will survive, if she will find her forever home?
This is a heartwarming read, especially for those who love dogs!
I received this book through the Publisher Shadow Mountain, and was not required to give a positive review.
Millie is a Border Terrier, and her start is very sad, and we are with this sweet dog as she tries to basically survive!
This book is geared at 8 to 11 year olds, but I think dog lovers of all ages will enjoy!
Millie is rescued from the shelter, and we follow her to see if they can rehabilitate, and we follow her at she misses the other dogs from her life that she loved.
I think that children are going to enjoy this, especially with the dog doing all the thinking! Her tail tight between her legs, or her tail wagging, the smells of food and those she loves! They will be wondering if she will survive, if she will find her forever home?
This is a heartwarming read, especially for those who love dogs!
I received this book through the Publisher Shadow Mountain, and was not required to give a positive review.
February 3, 2024
Another winner from this author!
It’s truly amazing how McCall Hoyle can “get into” a dog’s mind, and show the reader every emotion
that it feels. Some people call this anthropomorphism; it can also magical art to a dog-lover. “Millie” will grab any reader’s heart, of any age.
It’s truly amazing how McCall Hoyle can “get into” a dog’s mind, and show the reader every emotion
that it feels. Some people call this anthropomorphism; it can also magical art to a dog-lover. “Millie” will grab any reader’s heart, of any age.
October 18, 2023
After Millie, a Border Terrier, was abandoned by the family she had been living with, her only recourse is living on the streets, hiding from the humans after the family she’d been with made her distrust humans, and she has no idea where her mother or brother and sister are, of how to find them.
Once, she had a friend, Big Guy, that protected her and taught her some of the ways of living on the streets. She has found a new friend, a tiny puppy, so she now needs to find food for both of them, as well as shelter. As this story begins, it is snowing, which adds another element that she needs to consider.
The place they find shelter in is near a bakery, and the man who owns it and his granddaughter, Tory, who discovers Millie one day, and wants to keep her, but her grandfather says no.
One morning, as Millie is scavenging for food near the trash cans, she is caught, and ends up in a shelter, where she cowers in a corner most of the time, and worries about what will happen to the puppy.
When a friend of the woman that runs the shelter comes to visit, she is drawn to Millie, and even when the woman who runs it tells her that she wouldn’t want her, Lee decides that she is trainable, and brings her home.
A wonderful story of reconnecting with those you love, for both Tori and Millie. The feeling of being abandoned connects Tori and Millie even when they don’t know each other’s stories, but they can sense each other’s need for connection, for someone who will listen to their stories, always.
Pub Date: 05 Mar 2024
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Shadow Mountain Publishing, Shadow Mountain
May 3, 2024
Can Millie adjust to life with humans after fending for herself on the streets? Millie reconciles her past life of being found by a family and then abandoned with her present one where she once again finds herself in the custody of humans. This time it's Lee who fosters dogs and Tori a young girl who wants a dog more than anything. Are all humans bad people? Millie's about to find about .
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title.
March 29, 2024
This is a nice and easy middle grade read. And it’s fairly heartwarming too.
But what really got my and impressed me was the dog training aspect. I just finished reading a puppy training book, and so many of those concepts, depicted correctly were in this book. From the more modern approach of saying yes rather than good and no. To letting dogs approach you and facing that which is scary on their own r terms and pace. To training through positive experience.
I think parents reading this with kids and the kids too will find a better way to approach dogs by reading this book. And I think any family with kids considering getting a dog should read this to help their kids understand some of the things they should do to help a dog be successful and happy in their home… since a dog training book is probably not going to be understood or enjoyed by a kid.
But what really got my and impressed me was the dog training aspect. I just finished reading a puppy training book, and so many of those concepts, depicted correctly were in this book. From the more modern approach of saying yes rather than good and no. To letting dogs approach you and facing that which is scary on their own r terms and pace. To training through positive experience.
I think parents reading this with kids and the kids too will find a better way to approach dogs by reading this book. And I think any family with kids considering getting a dog should read this to help their kids understand some of the things they should do to help a dog be successful and happy in their home… since a dog training book is probably not going to be understood or enjoyed by a kid.
October 4, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
The cover immediately caught my attention because I have a terrier that kind of looks like Millie.
This is such a heartwarming book told from Millie's perspective. I am very happy to see an author say that pit bulls are loving dogs. I also like that the author shows behaviors of dogs can be though of as aggressive but they're actually reactive. I also like that she shows that abused and stray dogs can be great dogs with the right people and training.
The cover immediately caught my attention because I have a terrier that kind of looks like Millie.
This is such a heartwarming book told from Millie's perspective. I am very happy to see an author say that pit bulls are loving dogs. I also like that the author shows behaviors of dogs can be though of as aggressive but they're actually reactive. I also like that she shows that abused and stray dogs can be great dogs with the right people and training.
December 23, 2024
Actually a 4.5. Loved this 3rd book in the Best Friends Dog Tales series.
May 15, 2025
Just as delightful as I expected. I love dog middle grade stories! The main child character in this book is dealing with issues reading out loud as well as a mother who has been struggling with addiction, so she’s currently living with her baker grandfather. In comes our stray dog main character Millie! I loved the dog trainer in this book and good information about dog reactivity and its reasons. The series toes the line of anthropomorphizing the dogs, but I think Hoyle has just the right touch. This series helps me reset from darker reads and I appreciate it.
March 1, 2024
“Is that another dog book by McCall Hoyle?” That’s the first thing my 10-year-old said when she saw the cover of Millie, and as I write this, said kid is in the other room voraciously reading it.
“I like that they’re from the dog’s point of view and not the person’s.” my daughter said of Hoyle’s books. “And how they’re (the dog) not used to something and then they get used to it. They have big and little adventures.”
My daughter’s not wrong. Hoyle is great at capturing a dog’s spirit without over personifying it. She maintains a dog’s nature but amps it up a little for the audience. It’s a great hook and it really helps push the story forward.
In Millie, Hoyle explores how trust can be both broken and built, and by doing it from a dog’s point of view, it becomes simplified and quickly relatable to the reader.
Hoyle’s writing is warm and accessible. And her pacing is spot on. At just over 200 pages, it’s more accessible to less confident readers. It would also be an excellent classroom read aloud.
“I like that they’re from the dog’s point of view and not the person’s.” my daughter said of Hoyle’s books. “And how they’re (the dog) not used to something and then they get used to it. They have big and little adventures.”
My daughter’s not wrong. Hoyle is great at capturing a dog’s spirit without over personifying it. She maintains a dog’s nature but amps it up a little for the audience. It’s a great hook and it really helps push the story forward.
In Millie, Hoyle explores how trust can be both broken and built, and by doing it from a dog’s point of view, it becomes simplified and quickly relatable to the reader.
Hoyle’s writing is warm and accessible. And her pacing is spot on. At just over 200 pages, it’s more accessible to less confident readers. It would also be an excellent classroom read aloud.
December 5, 2023
Millie is a border terrier who was abandoned by his human owners and that causes her to be aggressive but she finds Lee and Bella who teach her that some people and dogs care.
This was a cute and engaging story of a border terrier who gets a second chance at a forever home. I liked how we get an inside look into Millie’s mind what she thinks and wants, and how important it is to gain trust with both humans and animals. It is a gentle story of trust, friendship, and healing to go forward. I liked it very much!
My gratitude to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain. All opinions expressed are mine.
This was a cute and engaging story of a border terrier who gets a second chance at a forever home. I liked how we get an inside look into Millie’s mind what she thinks and wants, and how important it is to gain trust with both humans and animals. It is a gentle story of trust, friendship, and healing to go forward. I liked it very much!
My gratitude to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain. All opinions expressed are mine.
December 31, 2025
I love this series about dogs that need a second chance.
Millie is a street dog that is facing a snowstorm while caring for a puppy. The two sleep near a bakery, but when the owner calls the pound, Millie faces a life in a shelter worrying about the puppy she was guarding.
Lee is a reading teacher and dog trainer. She takes Millie in and charger life. Millie learns to trust humans and is ready to find a home.
I love the focus on dog training. There are helpful tips in the back of the book also.
Millie is a street dog that is facing a snowstorm while caring for a puppy. The two sleep near a bakery, but when the owner calls the pound, Millie faces a life in a shelter worrying about the puppy she was guarding.
Lee is a reading teacher and dog trainer. She takes Millie in and charger life. Millie learns to trust humans and is ready to find a home.
I love the focus on dog training. There are helpful tips in the back of the book also.
April 26, 2024
Cute first person from Millie’s perspective of a dogs life on and off the street who just needed to learn to trust.
April 29, 2024
Kid lit- Loved this book told from the dog’s point of view about learning to trust people and the importance of finding your pack.
November 3, 2024
My kids loved this book. I found it to be cute, but kind of annoying to be from the dog's POV 😅 Overall, the story was one of redemption and uplifting.
April 25, 2025
It was honestly embarrassing how many times I had to stop reading because of all my sobbing
May 17, 2025
4 ⭐️ My students loved this story!
October 5, 2025
Enjoyed this book more than i thought I would, thanks mom for buying it at the elementary book fair for me. Really made me think about things from a dogs perspective, I liked it!
November 2, 2025
This was an intriguing book, and the perspective of the dog, Millie, made it richer than if told 3rd person or 2nd. I loved how McCall Hoyle made it seem as if Millie were a real dog feeling uncertain about human actions. And not knowing where or not she, Millie, had a real home. It started out with Millie on the streets caring for a puppy to then be put in an animal shelter getting separated and, in a entirely different environment. Then to later be fostered by a teacher. This is where her uncertainly came in wondering if she had a real home or not. Plus it's very heart warming having a girl, Tori, and Millie come together and become a forever family. Except it's also a little sad at some points. Almost at the end of the book had a twist that Millie ran away since she was returning to her old habits, that I would say, no one would expect. I would recommend this book to people who love dogs and are interested in realistic fiction. This book was for me since I love dogs.
March 10, 2024
Millie is a border terrier and the reader gets to experience life from Millie's point of view. I loved this book! It shows SO much about life, not only a dog's life, but us as humans and how we treat others and our pets. The story line is really a pretty great adventure that tugs at the heart strings. It kept my interest and I was curious to see where Millie would end up. the ending even has some unexpected twists that made the book all the better and realistic. This story shows not just children how important it is to be a part of a family unit, even if it is a family that you stumble upon. The explanation of things is so well done and people young and old will love this book.
Five Stars.
"I received this book from Shadow Mountain Publishers for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
February 5, 2024
I have been enchanted by the Best Friends Dog Tales series starting with the first book, Stella, and the second book, Gus. Millie, a spirited Border Terrier left by her family to fend for herself on the streets, has also captured my heart. Millie becomes a caregiver to Little Pup, but their bond is shattered when she is snatched by a man in a van and sent to the pound. Fortunately, dog trainer Lee recognizes Millie's potential and takes her in. Under Lee's guidance and alongside another dog, Belle, Millie learns about obedience, trust, and overcoming her difficult past. When Millie crosses paths with Tori, a young girl struggling with her own challenges, a special bond forms. Tori is allowed to train Millie, leading to a transformative journey for both. This aspect of the story showcases how they help each other heal and regain trust.
The Best Friends Dog Tales not only entertain but also impart valuable lessons to children about responsibility, kindness to all beings, and the importance of friendship. As an educator, I have enjoyed sharing these stories with my students and am eager to introduce them to Millie's tale. Through Millie's narrative, children will be engrossed in her journey of finding her human companion.
The Best Friends Dog Tales not only entertain but also impart valuable lessons to children about responsibility, kindness to all beings, and the importance of friendship. As an educator, I have enjoyed sharing these stories with my students and am eager to introduce them to Millie's tale. Through Millie's narrative, children will be engrossed in her journey of finding her human companion.
November 21, 2023
A girl and a dog find each other when they need someone the most.
🐶
Millie is a border terrier who’s only ever known living on the streets, struggling to survive. When she evades a dog catcher during a blizzard, Millie gets taken in by a special education teacher. Ms. Berry rehabilitates and rehomes dogs and she uses them to help her students grow. When Millie meets Tori, a girl who shows aptitude for working with dogs, particularly fearful ones, the two begin to trust again after dealing with abandonment issues.
👧🏻
Oh, my heart! @mccallhoylebooks has done it again with Millie. Fans of Stella and Gus will fall in love all over again with the characters in this MG book and connect with the issues both Tori and Millie face. I can’t recommend this enough and think every upper elementary/middle school class should read it. The author even includes dog training tips at the back of the book, as well as shares info about the real-life Canine Good Citizen program. This novel releases March 5!
CW: parental abandonment, substance abuse issues, hunger, animal mistreatment (appropriate for age group)
🐶
Millie is a border terrier who’s only ever known living on the streets, struggling to survive. When she evades a dog catcher during a blizzard, Millie gets taken in by a special education teacher. Ms. Berry rehabilitates and rehomes dogs and she uses them to help her students grow. When Millie meets Tori, a girl who shows aptitude for working with dogs, particularly fearful ones, the two begin to trust again after dealing with abandonment issues.
👧🏻
Oh, my heart! @mccallhoylebooks has done it again with Millie. Fans of Stella and Gus will fall in love all over again with the characters in this MG book and connect with the issues both Tori and Millie face. I can’t recommend this enough and think every upper elementary/middle school class should read it. The author even includes dog training tips at the back of the book, as well as shares info about the real-life Canine Good Citizen program. This novel releases March 5!
CW: parental abandonment, substance abuse issues, hunger, animal mistreatment (appropriate for age group)
November 22, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Millie is a stray dog who lives on the street after a disastrous home experience where messing up the carpet and nipping at a young boy who was poking her with a stick got her driven out to the country and abandoned. She was befriended by Big Guy, who has disappeared, but has a companion in Little Pup, whom she is helping in the same way that Big Guy helped her; finding food and shelter for the younger dog. There is one alley near a bakery that is particularly nice, and Millie cautiously connects with a young girl, Tori. Sadly, Millie and the smaller dog are separated when Millie ends up in a shelter. She is very cautious, and the shelter despairs of placing her with a family. Luckily, Lee, who trains dogs and takes them to the local elementary school, sees the good in Millie and decides to take her home. She trains her along with another dog, Bella, and finally takes her on a visit to a school. Lee warns the students that this is Millie's first time, so they shouldn't approach her, but when Millie sees Tori and smells Little Pup on her, she is drawn to the little girl. Tori has problems of her own; she is living with her grandfather, who owns the bakery, because her mother is in rehab for a drug addiction brought on by a back injury. The grandfather doesn't want a dog, but Lee asks Tori to help train Millie. When another dog is brought into the shelter who needs help, Lee asks Tori's grandfather to take care of Millie for a few days. It goes fairly well, and Millie is glad that these new people are kind when she makes a small mess on the carpet. Little Pup lives not far away, and Millie sometimes sees her young friend. When Tori leaves one day, Millie follows her, and ends up having a terrible adventure after Tori shoos her away from the bakery. Eventually, Millie makes it back home. The two are so good for each other, and when Tori's poem wins a competition at an adoption event, her grandfather reluctantly agrees to adopt the dog.
Strengths: I liked how Tori's mother's addiction was in the background, important, but not the point of the story. The grandfather was appealing; I wouldn't have minded seeing more of him and the bakery! Millie has a similar background to Tori, with humans who have done them wrong, but they are both resilient and learn to go on and to befriend new people. The tips on dog training are good, and the notes at the back with further information are a good addition. The cover is adorable, and I know this one will be picked up quickly. I appreciate that this is not connected to the author's other two dog books, so can be read in any order.
Weaknesses: I would have preferred this more if it weren't written from Millie's point of view (why does Millie understand what bells are, but not what cell phones are?), but this won't bother my students at all.
What I really think: Stella and Just Gus both circulate well in my library, and I like this one a bit better than the other two, so I will buy it. It's always a good idea to buy a couple of dog books and a couple of horse books every year. Even if I don't currently have as many readers who want books about dogs, there will be some in the future, and need to keep the collection fresh. (Just realized that Ibbotson's One Dog and His Boy is now as old as most of my students! Twelve years is a long time for a book to survive in a middle school library.)
Millie is a stray dog who lives on the street after a disastrous home experience where messing up the carpet and nipping at a young boy who was poking her with a stick got her driven out to the country and abandoned. She was befriended by Big Guy, who has disappeared, but has a companion in Little Pup, whom she is helping in the same way that Big Guy helped her; finding food and shelter for the younger dog. There is one alley near a bakery that is particularly nice, and Millie cautiously connects with a young girl, Tori. Sadly, Millie and the smaller dog are separated when Millie ends up in a shelter. She is very cautious, and the shelter despairs of placing her with a family. Luckily, Lee, who trains dogs and takes them to the local elementary school, sees the good in Millie and decides to take her home. She trains her along with another dog, Bella, and finally takes her on a visit to a school. Lee warns the students that this is Millie's first time, so they shouldn't approach her, but when Millie sees Tori and smells Little Pup on her, she is drawn to the little girl. Tori has problems of her own; she is living with her grandfather, who owns the bakery, because her mother is in rehab for a drug addiction brought on by a back injury. The grandfather doesn't want a dog, but Lee asks Tori to help train Millie. When another dog is brought into the shelter who needs help, Lee asks Tori's grandfather to take care of Millie for a few days. It goes fairly well, and Millie is glad that these new people are kind when she makes a small mess on the carpet. Little Pup lives not far away, and Millie sometimes sees her young friend. When Tori leaves one day, Millie follows her, and ends up having a terrible adventure after Tori shoos her away from the bakery. Eventually, Millie makes it back home. The two are so good for each other, and when Tori's poem wins a competition at an adoption event, her grandfather reluctantly agrees to adopt the dog.
Strengths: I liked how Tori's mother's addiction was in the background, important, but not the point of the story. The grandfather was appealing; I wouldn't have minded seeing more of him and the bakery! Millie has a similar background to Tori, with humans who have done them wrong, but they are both resilient and learn to go on and to befriend new people. The tips on dog training are good, and the notes at the back with further information are a good addition. The cover is adorable, and I know this one will be picked up quickly. I appreciate that this is not connected to the author's other two dog books, so can be read in any order.
Weaknesses: I would have preferred this more if it weren't written from Millie's point of view (why does Millie understand what bells are, but not what cell phones are?), but this won't bother my students at all.
What I really think: Stella and Just Gus both circulate well in my library, and I like this one a bit better than the other two, so I will buy it. It's always a good idea to buy a couple of dog books and a couple of horse books every year. Even if I don't currently have as many readers who want books about dogs, there will be some in the future, and need to keep the collection fresh. (Just realized that Ibbotson's One Dog and His Boy is now as old as most of my students! Twelve years is a long time for a book to survive in a middle school library.)
March 11, 2024
I love this series so much. I love going in knowing that there will be a happy ending, but first I'm going to cry at some point, the only question is when and why. In this case, it was almost at the beginning, because oh my lord is it devastating when she talks about missing Big Guy, who randomly disappeared one night, and when she curls around the starving, shivering Little Pup. I was able to suppress that with no more than a lump in my throat, but the part that actually got me was:
On that note -- once again, Hoyle has drawn magnificent parallels between a dog's perspective and behavior to the way children in difficult situations might react. In Tori's case, she has a mother who sounds like she's either an alcoholic or battling a drug addiction, and currently struggling in rehab, leaving her home life unstable and giving her trust issues. I loved the reinforced theme of how fear can come out as anger and aggression, and how it's okay to be scared, but also important to trust that people (adults) want to help you.
I also really loved the talk of dog training sprinkled throughout, and how to make it more effective. I've never actually thought about dogs recognizing people at a distance by their shape and gait, or how hats, big coats and sunglasses are all things that can throw them off and make nervous dogs more uneasy.
The bond between Tori & Millie is wonderful and will resonate with every dogless kid who's dreamed and dreamed of having their own, pleading with their parents to change their mind.
I want to add that I went into this with some reservation, because I don't have a lot of love for wirehair dogs -- what is the point of a pet whose coat isn't that nice to touch, except maybe on their head! -- but the new author photo featuring one of these dogs sold me halfway, and the description that when Border Terriers feel really comfortable with someone, they relax into your arms and melt like a ragdoll cat, did the rest. And yes, there's an illustration of that, and it's most precious. Also, Millie herself -- in terms of personality -- miiiight be my favorite dog yet.
P.S. Oh I absolutely have the heart-eyes on for dog-foster Lee and her ~friend~ David. As a kid I would have taken that word at face value without a second thought; as an adult I love when I get to read between the lines and sigh dreamily at what might be happening off-page in the background.
On that note -- once again, Hoyle has drawn magnificent parallels between a dog's perspective and behavior to the way children in difficult situations might react. In Tori's case, she has a mother who sounds like she's either an alcoholic or battling a drug addiction, and currently struggling in rehab, leaving her home life unstable and giving her trust issues. I loved the reinforced theme of how fear can come out as anger and aggression, and how it's okay to be scared, but also important to trust that people (adults) want to help you.
I also really loved the talk of dog training sprinkled throughout, and how to make it more effective. I've never actually thought about dogs recognizing people at a distance by their shape and gait, or how hats, big coats and sunglasses are all things that can throw them off and make nervous dogs more uneasy.
The bond between Tori & Millie is wonderful and will resonate with every dogless kid who's dreamed and dreamed of having their own, pleading with their parents to change their mind.
I want to add that I went into this with some reservation, because I don't have a lot of love for wirehair dogs -- what is the point of a pet whose coat isn't that nice to touch, except maybe on their head! -- but the new author photo featuring one of these dogs sold me halfway, and the description that when Border Terriers feel really comfortable with someone, they relax into your arms and melt like a ragdoll cat, did the rest. And yes, there's an illustration of that, and it's most precious. Also, Millie herself -- in terms of personality -- miiiight be my favorite dog yet.
P.S. Oh I absolutely have the heart-eyes on for dog-foster Lee and her ~friend~ David. As a kid I would have taken that word at face value without a second thought; as an adult I love when I get to read between the lines and sigh dreamily at what might be happening off-page in the background.
September 26, 2023
Millie is the touching story of a border terrier who has had to adapt to life on the streets after being callously abandoned by the human family she was living with. As a result, she has learned the hard way that humans cannot be relied upon, and the experience has left her suspicious and fearful.
After losing her mother, brother and sister, she is now left able to rely only on herself. But luckily,for a time after her abandonment, Millie did have the assistance of Big Guy, a seasoned street dog who taught her all the tricks to survival.
Unfortunately, Big Guy has since gone missing, and Millie herself is unexpectedly responsible for the care of a small puppy. The two of them are hiding out in an alley, behind a bakery, from which tantalizing smells taunt their growling bellies. But unless Millie figures out a way to find food and shelter for both of them, they may not survive the harsh winter that is on its way.
This story has such a lot to offer to young readers! There is the opportunity to learn a lot about dog behaviour through Millie's interactions with Lee and her Golden Retriever Bella, and to learn quite a few dog training tricks. Plus, the chance to see things from Millie's point of view throughout the book is really very special.
There are also some haunting parallels between Millie's plight and that of a young girl whose grandfather runs the bakery. The girl's mother has substance abuse issues, so Tory lives with her grandfather, and that has taken an understandable toll on her ability to trust others and enjoy her childhood. Unsurprisingly, Millie and Tori quickly take to each other, but as they soon discover, the past is not so easily left behind...
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
After losing her mother, brother and sister, she is now left able to rely only on herself. But luckily,for a time after her abandonment, Millie did have the assistance of Big Guy, a seasoned street dog who taught her all the tricks to survival.
Unfortunately, Big Guy has since gone missing, and Millie herself is unexpectedly responsible for the care of a small puppy. The two of them are hiding out in an alley, behind a bakery, from which tantalizing smells taunt their growling bellies. But unless Millie figures out a way to find food and shelter for both of them, they may not survive the harsh winter that is on its way.
This story has such a lot to offer to young readers! There is the opportunity to learn a lot about dog behaviour through Millie's interactions with Lee and her Golden Retriever Bella, and to learn quite a few dog training tricks. Plus, the chance to see things from Millie's point of view throughout the book is really very special.
There are also some haunting parallels between Millie's plight and that of a young girl whose grandfather runs the bakery. The girl's mother has substance abuse issues, so Tory lives with her grandfather, and that has taken an understandable toll on her ability to trust others and enjoy her childhood. Unsurprisingly, Millie and Tori quickly take to each other, but as they soon discover, the past is not so easily left behind...
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
October 11, 2023
3rd in the Best Friends dog series, Millie will warm your heart just as much as Stella and Gus did (or will). This sweet border terrier has lived much of her life on the streets, first as sidekick to protector and pit bull Big Guy and as the book begins, as a protector himself to a young pup who wouldn’t survive the harsh realities in the life of a stray. Told from the perspective of Millie, chance puts her into the home of Lee, the dog trainer/owner/lover from the first two books in the series and sets her on the path to adoption. Included in the main story is Tori, a struggling reader who makes great strides while in Lee’s classroom and with a dog in her lap. Tori’s story, as well as Millie’s, contains themes of trusting again and hope in the future.The formula of the three books is the same-dog without a home or much training finds love and fills a niche in the life of a child-but the execution is unique and wonderful in all of them! Animal lovers will be thrilled to see a new McCall Hoyle book. Perfect for readers in grades 3-6 and free of profanity and sexual content. There is some “violence” of a sort with some animals being mistreated or hurt but Hoyle does not get graphic in her descriptions of these events. Page count is low enough to feel approachable to struggling readers but characterization is deep enough to appeal to strong readers, as well. Highly recommended series and I hope for even more in the future.
Thanks for the digital arc, NetGalley!
Thanks for the digital arc, NetGalley!
April 21, 2024
5 stars. Wondering if this related to the other books like first 2?
So many great quotes and phrases. That last one is the best!
Has discussion group questions and tips for dog training.
Watch and hide what she’s good at, a stray who doesn’t know her name
Big Guy dog taught all he knew about being in the streets, he always found her, but this time went out and didn’t return
Has a tiny puppy in her nest behind a trash can that was abandoned there
Millie had a family but knows people can be mean, unpredictable
“fast cars that slam into distracted dogs and toss their bodies to the side of the road and leave only the outside of their bodies behind, while the inside part of them that makes them street dogs shouldn’t be up on people bed
a real dog goes somewhere else entirely.”
Dog training treats
Chap 11 meets little girl from bakery on alley and smells little pup on her
My thought: Don’t you wish dogs could talk and tell you their pasts and feelings
Read aloud questions Lee/Ms. Berry asks
And when her body relaxes, mine grows and stretches in a whole new way—from the inside out.
What if they show signs of anger when what they really feel is fear—
sometimes humans hide their fear beneath snarling and snapping, just like dogs.
So many great quotes and phrases. That last one is the best!
Has discussion group questions and tips for dog training.
Watch and hide what she’s good at, a stray who doesn’t know her name
Big Guy dog taught all he knew about being in the streets, he always found her, but this time went out and didn’t return
Has a tiny puppy in her nest behind a trash can that was abandoned there
Millie had a family but knows people can be mean, unpredictable
“fast cars that slam into distracted dogs and toss their bodies to the side of the road and leave only the outside of their bodies behind, while the inside part of them that makes them street dogs shouldn’t be up on people bed
a real dog goes somewhere else entirely.”
Dog training treats
Chap 11 meets little girl from bakery on alley and smells little pup on her
My thought: Don’t you wish dogs could talk and tell you their pasts and feelings
Read aloud questions Lee/Ms. Berry asks
And when her body relaxes, mine grows and stretches in a whole new way—from the inside out.
What if they show signs of anger when what they really feel is fear—
sometimes humans hide their fear beneath snarling and snapping, just like dogs.
May 26, 2024
Millie is a border terrier living on the streets after being abandoned by a family impatient with her reactive temperament. The story is narrated by the streetwise and wary Millie and told through her fearful view of the incomprehensible and sometimes dangerous world of humans.
When Millie is caught and separated from Little Pup, an abandoned puppy in her care, she is frantic with fear and worry about her little charge and acts out aggressively. Lee, a special needs teacher and dog rehabilitator, sees something special in her and decides to take her in hoping she can eventually help Millie find a home.
The story, written for early middle readers, is sweet without being saccharine and told charmingly as little Millie begins to learn to trust humans and manage her aggressive impulses. There are lovely lessons about patience, courage, and compassion and a theme structured around a quote from a book that’s read to her about Anne Frank, “In spite of everything I still believe that people are good at heart…”.
It’s a lovely book for kids and adults and would be especially helpful for kids about to get dog.
I’m grateful to have received this book from the author in an Instagram giveaway. The review is submitted independently and the opinions are my own.
When Millie is caught and separated from Little Pup, an abandoned puppy in her care, she is frantic with fear and worry about her little charge and acts out aggressively. Lee, a special needs teacher and dog rehabilitator, sees something special in her and decides to take her in hoping she can eventually help Millie find a home.
The story, written for early middle readers, is sweet without being saccharine and told charmingly as little Millie begins to learn to trust humans and manage her aggressive impulses. There are lovely lessons about patience, courage, and compassion and a theme structured around a quote from a book that’s read to her about Anne Frank, “In spite of everything I still believe that people are good at heart…”.
It’s a lovely book for kids and adults and would be especially helpful for kids about to get dog.
I’m grateful to have received this book from the author in an Instagram giveaway. The review is submitted independently and the opinions are my own.
February 24, 2024
Millie by McCall Hoyle may be a middle grade book but I’m a grandmother who enjoyed this story as much as the grandkids. It just goes to show that an excellent story extends past age or time. Millie’s perspective is one thing that made this story such a great one. We all really loved seeing life through her eyes. Of course she was a lovable main character along with Tori so seeing the growth in the dog and the young girl was heartwarming.
While in reality not every dog has a happy conclusion of finding their forever home we were thrilled to see those that Millie knew as well as herself finding what they needed in the story. Now we look at our dogs wishes they could talk and share their life story before they became rescue dogs. Millie may be the first story we have read by McCall Hoyle but it won’t be the last one we read by this exceptional children’s author. Highly recommend to dog lovers both young and older.
The publisher through Net Galley provided a complimentary digital copy. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, my personal opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
While in reality not every dog has a happy conclusion of finding their forever home we were thrilled to see those that Millie knew as well as herself finding what they needed in the story. Now we look at our dogs wishes they could talk and share their life story before they became rescue dogs. Millie may be the first story we have read by McCall Hoyle but it won’t be the last one we read by this exceptional children’s author. Highly recommend to dog lovers both young and older.
The publisher through Net Galley provided a complimentary digital copy. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, my personal opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 18, 2023
As sweet as a story can be. Just like it’s predecessors, Stella and Gus, you can’t help but feel all the warmth and love that only a dog can bring while reading about Millie.
She is a border terrier feisty from living and surviving on the streets. She puts up a strong barrier to protect herself- but it comes across as aggressive, when it’s really just her fear.
“What if humans aren’t that different from dogs? What if they show signs of anger when what they really feel is fear— kind of the way I used to bark and snarl and show my teeth when I wanted humans to gibe me space because I was scared?”
When her girl, Tori, who is struggling reading and a sense of stability while dealing with abandonment issues- meets Silly Millie, they connect. Will they be able to give trust and belonging a second chance? Will they overcome obstacles to be a forever family?
I love the dog training tips, the dogs POV, the absolute love of dogs that shines through, and the awareness taught of how to understand and deal with strays.
She is a border terrier feisty from living and surviving on the streets. She puts up a strong barrier to protect herself- but it comes across as aggressive, when it’s really just her fear.
“What if humans aren’t that different from dogs? What if they show signs of anger when what they really feel is fear— kind of the way I used to bark and snarl and show my teeth when I wanted humans to gibe me space because I was scared?”
When her girl, Tori, who is struggling reading and a sense of stability while dealing with abandonment issues- meets Silly Millie, they connect. Will they be able to give trust and belonging a second chance? Will they overcome obstacles to be a forever family?
I love the dog training tips, the dogs POV, the absolute love of dogs that shines through, and the awareness taught of how to understand and deal with strays.
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