Book Summary
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, Millie is just plain scared.
Turned over to animal control after a recent run-in with the dogcatcher, Millie is rescued by a special education teacher who also rehabilitates and rehomes dogs. It’s a win-win. Together, the dogs and her 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 could no longer care for her and she was placed in kinship care with her grandfather. Millie wonders if she’s finally found her person 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?
Mille is an empathy-building novel for young readers who love dogs and is a tender portrayal of the importance of emotional safety and what it means to truly belong.
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, Millie is just plain scared.
Turned over to animal control after a recent run-in with the dogcatcher, Millie is rescued by a special education teacher who also rehabilitates and rehomes dogs. It’s a win-win. Together, the dogs and her 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 could no longer care for her and she was placed in kinship care with her grandfather. Millie wonders if she’s finally found her person 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?
Mille is an empathy-building novel for young readers who love dogs and is a tender portrayal of the importance of emotional safety and what it means to truly belong.
Book Details
- Publisher : Shadow Mountain (March 5, 2024)
- Genre: Middle-Grade Fiction
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 208 pages
- ISBN-10 : 163993233X
- ISBN-13 : 978-1639932337
- Reading age : 8 - 11 years
****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****
My Review
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.
****Meet Author McCall Hoyle****
McCall 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 teacher and librarian. When she's not reading, writing, or teaching, she's probably playing with or training one of many dogs. You can learn more about her at mccallhoyle.com.
~~~Books in the Best Friends Dog Tales Series~~~
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