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Even dogs deserve a second chance.
Ever since she was a puppy, Stella was trained to use her powerful beagle nose to sniff out dangerous chemicals and help her handler keep people safe. But during a routine security inspection, Stella misses the scent of an explosive. The sound of the blast is loud and scary. Unable to go back to work because of her anxiety, Stella is retired as a working dog.
When a young girl named Cloe wants to adopt Stella, the beagle knows this is her last chance to prove her worth. But how? When Stella smells a strange chemical inside Cloe’s body, a scent that surges just before the girl has a seizure, Stella’s nose makes the connection. But how can Stella warn her new family without them thinking she’s having an anxiety attack? How can she convince others that she can be a new kind of service dog and hopefully save Cloe’s life?
Told from Stella’s perspective, this story is about a special dog who must find the courage to overcome her fears in order to help save a young girl with epilepsy.
Ever since she was a puppy, Stella was trained to use her powerful beagle nose to sniff out dangerous chemicals and help her handler keep people safe. But during a routine security inspection, Stella misses the scent of an explosive. The sound of the blast is loud and scary. Unable to go back to work because of her anxiety, Stella is retired as a working dog.
When a young girl named Cloe wants to adopt Stella, the beagle knows this is her last chance to prove her worth. But how? When Stella smells a strange chemical inside Cloe’s body, a scent that surges just before the girl has a seizure, Stella’s nose makes the connection. But how can Stella warn her new family without them thinking she’s having an anxiety attack? How can she convince others that she can be a new kind of service dog and hopefully save Cloe’s life?
Told from Stella’s perspective, this story is about a special dog who must find the courage to overcome her fears in order to help save a young girl with epilepsy.
106 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 2021
242 people are currently reading
3745 people want to read
About the author
McCall Hoyle
6 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 366 reviews
March 28, 2023
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.
February 4, 2021
All of a sudden, I realize I don’t just want to be good anymore. I want to be brave again too.
What an absolutely HEARTWARMING story.
I loved reading Stella’s inner monologue—she’s the goodest 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.”)
The language in this novel is accessible and uncomplicated without diluting the complexity and emotion of Stella’s experiences. 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.
Shout out to my good friend Sheena for recommending this to me! She warned me that I’d be needing a box of tissues on hand… and she was absolutely right.
Bottom line: Stella may be a dog—a very, very good dog—but her experiences, her story, transcend species.
Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2021
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.
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.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2021
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.'
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
January 20, 2021
May 19, 2024
Loved the book. I am generally not a fan of when a dog narrates a book or we hear their thoughts, but only because it can easily go beyond the way I think a dog's thoughts should be. The way the thoughts of the dog in this book are done I think are the best I have ever read. All the excerpts I will add are examples of the narration from the dogs point of view.
The book opens with Stella having to be given up from yet another foster owner. Stella, a beagle, has PTSD from a traumatic experience when as a bomb sniffing dog, and her handler Connie was killed. Being returned for 3rd time to the shelter means she could be put to sleep. From an overheard comment, this is what Stella is thinking:
'And then Jake and Doc Collins wouldn't have to put me out of my misery. | know what that means too. | was in the hall when they put Sarge out of his misery after the accident in the snow last winter. It means they put you into a deep, deep sleep, and your dog smell changes. You’re just the outside of a dog, and you don’t wake up. Ever.'
Stella's PTSD is exacerbated by thunder and other factors:
'I miss the blankets in my bed at Connie’s. I was brave with Connie, but even brave dogs need to burrow in cozy blanket nests when thunder shakes the house or when angry voices hang in the air.'
Then Stella is taken in by a friend of Connie's and adopted by her daughter Chloe. I love how Stella describes Chloe:
'The scent swirling from her cupped little hand might be the loveliest smell of any human I’ve ever smelled. She eats cookies—that's for sure—and spends time in the green grass that carpets every inch of space around the house and the big brown animal building. And she smells like cardboard and paper. I know that smell—it’s books.
Books are good. I know a thing or two about them. One, don’t eat them. That’s as bad as squatting on the carpet. Two, very kind humans like to sit quietly with them for long periods of time. Connie certainly did anyway. She would study the pages inside, her eyes scanning back and forth, back and forth, as she spoke soothing words aloud to me.'
There are some great service dog themes in the book dealing with how dogs help with health issues and search & rescue. I got choked up a bit several times which indicates it's a good book. I also like how built into the story is a lot of good dog training advice. For all those reasons I am putting it in my shelf for 'dogs-favorite-books.'
Love it when a book takes a nice big turn, as reflected in this bit from Stella:
'All of a sudden, I realize I don't just want to be good anymore. I want to be brave again too—like I used to be with Connie.'
So great book I would recommend. I put it in my shelf for 'Youth' and I think it comes up as 'Middle School' but I think great for all ages.
The book opens with Stella having to be given up from yet another foster owner. Stella, a beagle, has PTSD from a traumatic experience when as a bomb sniffing dog, and her handler Connie was killed. Being returned for 3rd time to the shelter means she could be put to sleep. From an overheard comment, this is what Stella is thinking:
'And then Jake and Doc Collins wouldn't have to put me out of my misery. | know what that means too. | was in the hall when they put Sarge out of his misery after the accident in the snow last winter. It means they put you into a deep, deep sleep, and your dog smell changes. You’re just the outside of a dog, and you don’t wake up. Ever.'
Stella's PTSD is exacerbated by thunder and other factors:
'I miss the blankets in my bed at Connie’s. I was brave with Connie, but even brave dogs need to burrow in cozy blanket nests when thunder shakes the house or when angry voices hang in the air.'
Then Stella is taken in by a friend of Connie's and adopted by her daughter Chloe. I love how Stella describes Chloe:
'The scent swirling from her cupped little hand might be the loveliest smell of any human I’ve ever smelled. She eats cookies—that's for sure—and spends time in the green grass that carpets every inch of space around the house and the big brown animal building. And she smells like cardboard and paper. I know that smell—it’s books.
Books are good. I know a thing or two about them. One, don’t eat them. That’s as bad as squatting on the carpet. Two, very kind humans like to sit quietly with them for long periods of time. Connie certainly did anyway. She would study the pages inside, her eyes scanning back and forth, back and forth, as she spoke soothing words aloud to me.'
There are some great service dog themes in the book dealing with how dogs help with health issues and search & rescue. I got choked up a bit several times which indicates it's a good book. I also like how built into the story is a lot of good dog training advice. For all those reasons I am putting it in my shelf for 'dogs-favorite-books.'
Love it when a book takes a nice big turn, as reflected in this bit from Stella:
'All of a sudden, I realize I don't just want to be good anymore. I want to be brave again too—like I used to be with Connie.'
So great book I would recommend. I put it in my shelf for 'Youth' and I think it comes up as 'Middle School' but I think great for all ages.
March 1, 2023
Aww! This was a sweet book!
Characters:
This was told through Stella's POV (the dog) and it was so cute! I loved her! Just the sweetest beagle ever!!!
Themes:
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.
Overall:
This was a cute book! Not exactly what I was expecting based on the blurb but still a really cute story!
Characters:
This was told through Stella's POV (the dog) and it was so cute! I loved her! Just the sweetest beagle ever!!!
Themes:
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.
Overall:
This was a cute book! Not exactly what I was expecting based on the blurb but still a really cute story!
January 8, 2021
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thank you for such an amazing story. This will stay in my heart and mind forever.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thank you for such an amazing story. This will stay in my heart and mind forever.
January 4, 2021
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.
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.
Stella was a powerful tale of love, hope and bravery. Perfect for dog-lovers alike and I highly recommend!
Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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.
Stella was a powerful tale of love, hope and bravery. Perfect for dog-lovers alike and I highly recommend!
Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2022
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
December 22, 2020
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.
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.
5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 02 Mar 2021
#Stella #NetGalley
Thanks to the author, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
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.
5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 02 Mar 2021
#Stella #NetGalley
Thanks to the author, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
February 15, 2021
My name is Stella. I'm a beagle, and I was born to sniff. And that's what I do.
Sometimes our pets can show us how to be human in a good way. We had a dog like that and reading about Stella, I thought about our dog KC. Because of that, this was a difficult read at times because Stella was having a difficult time after her handler was killed doing the work of sniffing out bombs, chemicals, etc at airports. Told by Stella's perspective, she was having a hard time adjusting to being a dog because she failed her human. Let me tell you again, sometimes our dogs reveal what weighs heavy on our heart. Stella's handler Connie was well liked in her community so others were concerned about Stella. Again, it was emotional read on how Stella wanted to be the good dog that she knew she was.
Friends of Connie, mother and daughter Esperanza and Cloe have a sheep farm that they tend to. Esperanza knows the task of curing Stella will take a firm and loving hand to cure Stella of her fears. Cloe and Stella bond right away and their adventure brings healing to both of them.
If you love a good dog book and people book, this will give you the emotional coaster ride that is hard to forget. Hard to forget because it is so close to the heart! Highly recommend.
A special thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Sometimes our pets can show us how to be human in a good way. We had a dog like that and reading about Stella, I thought about our dog KC. Because of that, this was a difficult read at times because Stella was having a difficult time after her handler was killed doing the work of sniffing out bombs, chemicals, etc at airports. Told by Stella's perspective, she was having a hard time adjusting to being a dog because she failed her human. Let me tell you again, sometimes our dogs reveal what weighs heavy on our heart. Stella's handler Connie was well liked in her community so others were concerned about Stella. Again, it was emotional read on how Stella wanted to be the good dog that she knew she was.
Friends of Connie, mother and daughter Esperanza and Cloe have a sheep farm that they tend to. Esperanza knows the task of curing Stella will take a firm and loving hand to cure Stella of her fears. Cloe and Stella bond right away and their adventure brings healing to both of them.
If you love a good dog book and people book, this will give you the emotional coaster ride that is hard to forget. Hard to forget because it is so close to the heart! Highly recommend.
A special thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
February 17, 2023
Squeeeeee! (That’s my ten-year-old self finishing this book!)
I loved this book! Normally, I’m not a big fan of stories written from a dog’s perspective. “Stella” was definite exception. Such a wonderful story, of a trained scent dog who suffers from PTSD after her handler dies in an explosion. She has to be re-trained, and the new owners find out some surprising things about her abilities.
The author certainly did her research about how trauma can affect service dogs; the details about Stella’s fears were spot-on. The first time I heard of dogs having PTSD was when I visited the 9/11 Memorial. The tour guide explained the the NYC search-and-rescue dogs got depressed in the days following 9/11, because they weren’t finding any live people like they knew they were supposed to. It got to the point that some rescue workers had to “bury themselves” and let the dogs “find” them, to help their depression.
If this book had been around when I was a kid, I would have worn it out reading and re-reading it! Every middle-grade classroom (and any dog-lover) should have a copy of this book.
I loved this book! Normally, I’m not a big fan of stories written from a dog’s perspective. “Stella” was definite exception. Such a wonderful story, of a trained scent dog who suffers from PTSD after her handler dies in an explosion. She has to be re-trained, and the new owners find out some surprising things about her abilities.
The author certainly did her research about how trauma can affect service dogs; the details about Stella’s fears were spot-on. The first time I heard of dogs having PTSD was when I visited the 9/11 Memorial. The tour guide explained the the NYC search-and-rescue dogs got depressed in the days following 9/11, because they weren’t finding any live people like they knew they were supposed to. It got to the point that some rescue workers had to “bury themselves” and let the dogs “find” them, to help their depression.
If this book had been around when I was a kid, I would have worn it out reading and re-reading it! Every middle-grade classroom (and any dog-lover) should have a copy of this book.
February 28, 2021
This story is told by a dog named Stella. After making a mistake sniffing out explosives, she is too anxiety ridden to continue as a working dog. She has trouble settling into a new home. She's just scared and unhappy. Then Stella meets Cloe, a human little girl that adopts her. Then she smells something wrong about Cloe....maybe she can become a new kind of service dog if she can just figure out how to get Cloe's family to understand there is something wrong.
What a lovely middle grade book! I loved having the story told from the dog's perspective. It would be frustrating to know something so important and not be able to easily communicate!
Wonderful book! I'm going to buy this for my granddaughter! She will love it! Such a heartwarming story!
This is the first book I've read by McCall Hoyle.I definitely want to read more!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Shadow Mountain Publishing. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
What a lovely middle grade book! I loved having the story told from the dog's perspective. It would be frustrating to know something so important and not be able to easily communicate!
Wonderful book! I'm going to buy this for my granddaughter! She will love it! Such a heartwarming story!
This is the first book I've read by McCall Hoyle.I definitely want to read more!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Shadow Mountain Publishing. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
August 17, 2021
This is not my regular genre, but I got this book with two others pretty cheap, and I collect books. If you love dogs, especially if you’re a kid, you should adore this one.
The POV is through Stella, a beagle and a trained bomb-sniffer. But a moment’s hesitation resulted in a bomb going off and her handler being killed. The humans have decided that Stella needs to be re-homed but her PTSD makes that difficult. She ends up on a farm with adult human Esperanza and her daughter, Cloe. Stella develops a fierce bond with Cloe.
Stella sees the world mostly through her nose—the book is full of descriptions of smells and what they mean to Stella. All the human dialogue is there for the reader even if Stella doesn’t understand most of it; she homes in on the tone. This was well done.
It gets pretty tense in the book with mounting danger. Will Stella have a permanent home? Can she keep Cloe safe? Can she be brave again?
My biggest complaint is that we don’t get to see the jerk boys get their comeuppance. And at the end I got confused about whether there was a fire or not.
Language: None
Sexual Content: None
Violence: Young boys make threatening gestures with a knife and BB gun and firecrackers. Flashback to bomb injuries.
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
The POV is through Stella, a beagle and a trained bomb-sniffer. But a moment’s hesitation resulted in a bomb going off and her handler being killed. The humans have decided that Stella needs to be re-homed but her PTSD makes that difficult. She ends up on a farm with adult human Esperanza and her daughter, Cloe. Stella develops a fierce bond with Cloe.
Stella sees the world mostly through her nose—the book is full of descriptions of smells and what they mean to Stella. All the human dialogue is there for the reader even if Stella doesn’t understand most of it; she homes in on the tone. This was well done.
It gets pretty tense in the book with mounting danger. Will Stella have a permanent home? Can she keep Cloe safe? Can she be brave again?
My biggest complaint is that we don’t get to see the jerk boys get their comeuppance. And at the end I got confused about whether there was a fire or not.
Language: None
Sexual Content: None
Violence: Young boys make threatening gestures with a knife and BB gun and firecrackers. Flashback to bomb injuries.
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
July 2, 2023
Copy provided by publisher. Perfect for young dog lovers. Give this story about a beagle named Stella who finds her new home with Esperanza and her daughter Cloe a try. Will Stella's third home be her furever home?
January 10, 2024
Entering the enchanting world of "Stella" was like opening a treasure chest filled with warmth, courage, and the unbreakable bond between a furry friend and her humans. McCall Hoyle's exquisite storytelling, combined with the sweet and adorable cover that beckons with promises of heartwarming moments, weaves a tale that tugged at my heartstrings, making me shed tears and leaving me with a heart full of smiles.
Stella, a former service beagle with a heart as big as her adorable eyes, takes center stage in this poignant narrative. Trained to use her keen sense of smell to sniff out explosives, Stella's world is shattered when she misses a critical scent during a security inspection, leading to a devastating explosion that takes her beloved human handler. The aftermath leaves Stella grappling with guilt, anxiety, and a fear of loud noises, eventually retiring her from service.
The vivid descriptions paint a canvas of emotions, allowing readers to feel the weight of Stella's heartache, her struggles with anxiety, and the resilience that makes her journey so compelling. The cover, with Stella's expressive eyes gazing into the distance, beautifully captures the essence of the story—innocence, vulnerability, and the potential for healing through love.
Stella's quest for a forever home is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. Hoyle masterfully delves into Stella's psyche, presenting her fears and insecurities with a tenderness that resonates. The families who attempt to foster Stella add layers of humor and understanding, showcasing the challenges and joys of welcoming a scared, yet inherently lovable, beagle into their lives.
Esperanza, the expert dog trainer, emerges as a beacon of hope for Stella. The narrative deftly explores the themes of courage, compassion, friendship, and the transformative power of love. As Stella bonds with Chloe, a young human with epilepsy, the story takes an uplifting turn. The connection Stella forges with Chloe is beautifully portrayed, and the revelation of Stella's unique ability to sense impending seizures adds a layer of depth to the narrative.
The choice to tell the story from Stella's perspective is a stroke of genius. Through Stella's eyes, ears, and, most importantly, her nose, readers experience a dog's world filled with sensory wonders and emotional nuances. This narrative choice enriches the storytelling, making it relatable and engaging, especially for younger readers who adore animals.
While the journey is filled with poignant moments, there are also instances of joy and laughter that sprinkle lightness into the narrative. Stella's antics, quirks, and the delightful chaos she brings to her foster families add a touch of humor, making the story accessible to a broad audience.
In conclusion, "Stella" is an endearing novel that encapsulates the magic of unconditional love, resilience, and the extraordinary bonds that form between humans and their furry companions. McCall Hoyle crafts a timeless tale that transcends age, inviting readers into Stella's world and leaving them with a heartwarming reminder of the power of compassion and courage.
This book is a treasure for anyone who cherishes stories of love, loyalty, and the transformative impact of finding one's place in a family. 🌈🐶💕
Stella, a former service beagle with a heart as big as her adorable eyes, takes center stage in this poignant narrative. Trained to use her keen sense of smell to sniff out explosives, Stella's world is shattered when she misses a critical scent during a security inspection, leading to a devastating explosion that takes her beloved human handler. The aftermath leaves Stella grappling with guilt, anxiety, and a fear of loud noises, eventually retiring her from service.
The vivid descriptions paint a canvas of emotions, allowing readers to feel the weight of Stella's heartache, her struggles with anxiety, and the resilience that makes her journey so compelling. The cover, with Stella's expressive eyes gazing into the distance, beautifully captures the essence of the story—innocence, vulnerability, and the potential for healing through love.
Stella's quest for a forever home is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming. Hoyle masterfully delves into Stella's psyche, presenting her fears and insecurities with a tenderness that resonates. The families who attempt to foster Stella add layers of humor and understanding, showcasing the challenges and joys of welcoming a scared, yet inherently lovable, beagle into their lives.
Esperanza, the expert dog trainer, emerges as a beacon of hope for Stella. The narrative deftly explores the themes of courage, compassion, friendship, and the transformative power of love. As Stella bonds with Chloe, a young human with epilepsy, the story takes an uplifting turn. The connection Stella forges with Chloe is beautifully portrayed, and the revelation of Stella's unique ability to sense impending seizures adds a layer of depth to the narrative.
The choice to tell the story from Stella's perspective is a stroke of genius. Through Stella's eyes, ears, and, most importantly, her nose, readers experience a dog's world filled with sensory wonders and emotional nuances. This narrative choice enriches the storytelling, making it relatable and engaging, especially for younger readers who adore animals.
While the journey is filled with poignant moments, there are also instances of joy and laughter that sprinkle lightness into the narrative. Stella's antics, quirks, and the delightful chaos she brings to her foster families add a touch of humor, making the story accessible to a broad audience.
In conclusion, "Stella" is an endearing novel that encapsulates the magic of unconditional love, resilience, and the extraordinary bonds that form between humans and their furry companions. McCall Hoyle crafts a timeless tale that transcends age, inviting readers into Stella's world and leaving them with a heartwarming reminder of the power of compassion and courage.
This book is a treasure for anyone who cherishes stories of love, loyalty, and the transformative impact of finding one's place in a family. 🌈🐶💕
September 24, 2025
Aw, how cute!💖
Language: N/A.
Violence: Some scrapes and bruises. Mentions of Stella's dead handler, not described just Stella remembering that she smelled like 'the shell of a human smell'. Mentions people have dying and getting injured in an explosion in the past, not described just vaguely mentioned. Stella remembers one of her dog friends being put down by the vet in the past.
Magic: N/A.
This was such a cute little read! It was told through Stella's pov which was really cute and fun to see the story unfold through the doggie's eyes💖🐕 It had A Dog's Purpose feel which I loved! Stella was so sweet and a great MC, her struggles and arch were great and everything about her feelings and how she perceived things being a dog was explained very well. As a person who grew up around lots of dogs I really appreciated the realistic representation of dogs and their feelings/instincs/behaviors.
Chloe was also sweet. And I really liked Nando, he was a goofy boy.🐕💖
Overall a great story told through a dog's pov about courage, friendship, and second chances!💖
All ages, would make a great read-aloud!
Language: N/A.
Violence: Some scrapes and bruises. Mentions of Stella's dead handler, not described just Stella remembering that she smelled like 'the shell of a human smell'. Mentions people have dying and getting injured in an explosion in the past, not described just vaguely mentioned. Stella remembers one of her dog friends being put down by the vet in the past.
Magic: N/A.
This was such a cute little read! It was told through Stella's pov which was really cute and fun to see the story unfold through the doggie's eyes💖🐕 It had A Dog's Purpose feel which I loved! Stella was so sweet and a great MC, her struggles and arch were great and everything about her feelings and how she perceived things being a dog was explained very well. As a person who grew up around lots of dogs I really appreciated the realistic representation of dogs and their feelings/instincs/behaviors.
Chloe was also sweet. And I really liked Nando, he was a goofy boy.🐕💖
Overall a great story told through a dog's pov about courage, friendship, and second chances!💖
All ages, would make a great read-aloud!
Read
April 5, 2025This is absolutely precious! 🥹 Stella reminds me so much of the Beagle I had growing up. 🐶🧡
January 7, 2021
Every Dog Deserves a Second Chance
Stella is a hopeful story in a Dog's perspective. Stella ( a beagle) a retired working dog who suffered from Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the airport explosion that killed her best friend /owner Connie. Stella has the hardest time finding a new home, 3 houses tried but failed Whenever she hears a loud bang, she startled, digs, and eat furnitures. Temporary owners called her a"Bad Dog" -(but not intentionally) but she believed it, until the time she met Cloe a girl full of hope a hope that she could do something to help Stella, and it worked, Cloe showed Stella that "HOPE", Cloe showed Stella that she can do what she thought she cannot do, Cloe helps Stella to be better again and. That hope is not a dangerous thing, it is in fact a good thing.
Stella is a touching - remarkable story of hope and friendship, sometimes experiences can pull us down but hope is all we have. Stella is a story that you will love, you will cherish, and will always have a special place in your heart.
McCall Hoyle writes very beautifully, it will make you feel all the feels. McCall is no doubt a great writer.
Reading this brings me back to that time when I first read the book and watched the movies "The Dogs Journey" and " Old Yeller". This book joined the classics, and will be loved by many. Especially dog lovers!
If you love dogs, dogs inspiring stories this book is for you or even if you like cats, this book is for you, or even if you don't like animals at all, this book is still for you.
Stella always has a special place in my heart, such a brave dog, hopeful, inspiring story.
I really hope that this is going to be adapted as a movie,it will be so gooodd
Please don't miss this one
You should read it. You need Stella
I use a lot of hope but anyways.
Thank you so much Shadow Mountain Publishing, Netgalley and McCall Hoyle for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review. I totally love it
4.5 rounded to 5 hopeful stars!!
Stella is a hopeful story in a Dog's perspective. Stella ( a beagle) a retired working dog who suffered from Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the airport explosion that killed her best friend /owner Connie. Stella has the hardest time finding a new home, 3 houses tried but failed Whenever she hears a loud bang, she startled, digs, and eat furnitures. Temporary owners called her a"Bad Dog" -(but not intentionally) but she believed it, until the time she met Cloe a girl full of hope a hope that she could do something to help Stella, and it worked, Cloe showed Stella that "HOPE", Cloe showed Stella that she can do what she thought she cannot do, Cloe helps Stella to be better again and. That hope is not a dangerous thing, it is in fact a good thing.
Stella is a touching - remarkable story of hope and friendship, sometimes experiences can pull us down but hope is all we have. Stella is a story that you will love, you will cherish, and will always have a special place in your heart.
McCall Hoyle writes very beautifully, it will make you feel all the feels. McCall is no doubt a great writer.
Reading this brings me back to that time when I first read the book and watched the movies "The Dogs Journey" and " Old Yeller". This book joined the classics, and will be loved by many. Especially dog lovers!
If you love dogs, dogs inspiring stories this book is for you or even if you like cats, this book is for you, or even if you don't like animals at all, this book is still for you.
Stella always has a special place in my heart, such a brave dog, hopeful, inspiring story.
I really hope that this is going to be adapted as a movie,it will be so gooodd
Please don't miss this one
You should read it. You need Stella
I use a lot of hope but anyways.
Thank you so much Shadow Mountain Publishing, Netgalley and McCall Hoyle for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review. I totally love it
4.5 rounded to 5 hopeful stars!!
July 29, 2024
This book was super cute. I picked it up because I’m kinda obsessed with beagles, and it was really fun! I definitely recommend for dog lovers.
February 28, 2021
Stories of anthropomorphized animals are as old as Aesop’s Fables. McCall Hoyle adds a lovely voice to the mix with the story of Stella, a beagle who must overcome trauma from an unfortunate incident during her bomb-sniffing days and learn a different way to serve. Told from the dog’s perspective, this is wonderfully written and poignant.
This beautiful story will appeal to dog lovers and those who are fond of animal stories. It is perfect for the target audience. Despite its serious tone, it gets neither too sad nor too scary. My little 4th grader will really enjoy this one.
This beautiful story will appeal to dog lovers and those who are fond of animal stories. It is perfect for the target audience. Despite its serious tone, it gets neither too sad nor too scary. My little 4th grader will really enjoy this one.
February 20, 2021
Stella is a middle-grade book about a bomb-sniffing beagle who makes a mistake at the airport and it leaves her homeless, and results in Stella struggling with anxiety and PTSD.
It is told through Stella’s POV, and for lack of a better word, it was super cute! McCall Hoyle really captures what might be a dog’s thoughts. I related well to this dialogue that Stella carries throughout the book because I think as anyone who’s ever owned an animal, well you speak as you would imagine they are thinking.
I have read Ms. Hoyle’s two previous novels and I was curious about Stella, and I was not disappointed, even though I am not a regular middle-grade reader the story kept my interest, and I even forgot that Stella was just a bomb-sniffing beagle.
My gratitude to Shadow Mountain and Netgalley. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
It is told through Stella’s POV, and for lack of a better word, it was super cute! McCall Hoyle really captures what might be a dog’s thoughts. I related well to this dialogue that Stella carries throughout the book because I think as anyone who’s ever owned an animal, well you speak as you would imagine they are thinking.
I have read Ms. Hoyle’s two previous novels and I was curious about Stella, and I was not disappointed, even though I am not a regular middle-grade reader the story kept my interest, and I even forgot that Stella was just a bomb-sniffing beagle.
My gratitude to Shadow Mountain and Netgalley. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
March 6, 2022
A traumatized working dog has been in three foster homes since the death of her handler. She is sent to live in the country with other working dogs, a cat, and sheep. Here she meets Chloe and gets a second chance at being the dog hero she was trained to be. Told entirely from the dog's point of view, this will appeal to dog lovers. So not me.
July 4, 2023
“Even dogs deserve a second chance.”
Sniffing out dangerous chemicals to help her handler keep people safe is all Stella has ever known. Now, it isn’t so easy. After missing the scent of an explosive during a routine security inspection, Stella is now terrified of loud sounds. Her anxiety keeps her from going back to work, forcing her to be a retired working dog. Stella knows it’s her last chance to prove her worth when a young girl named Cloe wants to adopt her, but how can she prove herself? Then, Stella learns that Cloe’s body emits this strange chemical smell right before she’s about to have a seizure. How can Stella warn Cloe and her mom without them thinking she’s experiencing one of her anxiety attacks? Can she prove her worth by becoming a new kind of service dog and keep Cloe safe?
This story was very enjoyable and unique. Reading from a dog’s perspective was new for me and the author executed it really well. This story navigates trauma, loss, determination, and courage. The narrator, Rachel Jacobs, voices Stella so perfectly, really giving off dog energy. This is a must read, but have tissues nearby as it will pull at your heartstrings.
Sniffing out dangerous chemicals to help her handler keep people safe is all Stella has ever known. Now, it isn’t so easy. After missing the scent of an explosive during a routine security inspection, Stella is now terrified of loud sounds. Her anxiety keeps her from going back to work, forcing her to be a retired working dog. Stella knows it’s her last chance to prove her worth when a young girl named Cloe wants to adopt her, but how can she prove herself? Then, Stella learns that Cloe’s body emits this strange chemical smell right before she’s about to have a seizure. How can Stella warn Cloe and her mom without them thinking she’s experiencing one of her anxiety attacks? Can she prove her worth by becoming a new kind of service dog and keep Cloe safe?
This story was very enjoyable and unique. Reading from a dog’s perspective was new for me and the author executed it really well. This story navigates trauma, loss, determination, and courage. The narrator, Rachel Jacobs, voices Stella so perfectly, really giving off dog energy. This is a must read, but have tissues nearby as it will pull at your heartstrings.
March 3, 2021
I will be honest, I don't usually read dog stories anymore because they are always sad and I cry. Well, 20 pages into this one I started getting weepy eyed. I almost didn't keep going. I am so glad I did. The story is told from the dog's point of view. She (Stella) was a "working" dog sniffing out chemicals, bombs, drugs, etc. She didn't sniff out a bomb and it went off killing her handler. The story is about Stella dealing with her PTSD and learning it wasn't her fault and finding love and joy with another human. It is not a long book and one I couldn't put down. My review is not doing the story justice. It is one all animal lovers should read.
October 8, 2020
I have no words for how amazing Stella is. The titular character, Stella, is a bomb dog suffering from PTSD after an explosion and her struggles as she learns to love another human and use her skills in a different way. I coerced my own beagle to snuggle with me about halfway through reading this delightful book and then couldn't stop crying. The author clearly has a deep understanding of dogs and I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
November 13, 2023
I LOVED this dog story. It starts with a little tragedy, but I loved the places the author took it!
May 26, 2024
Listened to this with my 6 year old and we absolutely loved it. She said right when we finished, can we listen to it again? It’s the sweetest story.
September 12, 2025
Review is coming
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