Heartwarming story of a dog and her boy, neither of whom feel like they're in the right place. Stella thinks she's supposed to be bigger. As the youngest family member, Mateo doesn't feel like anyone listens to him. Learning through their bonds with each other and family members, they find out who they are and what they are really capable of. W. Bruce Cameron knows how to tell a story from a dog's point of view and let the reader in on the main character's thoughts.

I’m an adult. Stella: Ranch Patrol is the latest in the Dogs with a Purpose series written for middle-grade readers, aged 8–12, grades 3–7. And while I’m not the intended audience for this series, I continue to read them because I enjoy them so much.

The book supports Common Core Writing Standards, and includes questions for younger readers as well as discussion questions for adults to engage with kids. If you have a middle-grade reader who loves dogs, I encourage you to buy a copy of this book.

But like I said, I’m not a kid and my own children are adults. So why do I read these books? First, I love the way W Bruce Cameron gets into the mind of a dog so realistically. They say reading teaches empathy and I can attest that I not only view dogs differently now, but all animals. Even my cats have benefited from all the Cameron books I’ve read over the years. I also appreciate the characters, settings and plots of his works.

In this novel, Stella is a Corgi puppy who ends up with a teen boy who lives on a struggling ranch in Washington with his dad and three brothers, as well as LGDs (I learned that means Livestock Guardian Dogs), sheep, goats, and other livestock. I grew up in the Midwestern suburbs so it was fun learning about living on a ranch and all that entails.

My thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

Much like the other books by W. Bruce Cameron, Stella: Ranch Patrol was a wonderful read! Please never stop writing this series... my 5th grader loves these books so much! Thank you, NetGalley!

My students eat this series up (4th-8th grade intermediate school); but, this was my first time reading one of the Dogs with a Purpose series by W. Bruce Cameron. I enjoyed the range of emotions through the book - joy through fear - being accessible through Stella (a dog's) perspective. I thought it allowed the reader to think on many levels - a human perspective, an animal's perspective, a *talking* and *thinking* animal's perspective. I did wonder why Stella was the only 'sentient' beast who could talk (or did talk) for the other animals, so to speak. There was a lot of humor, sometimes subtle, which also provide opportunities for readers of many levels to take what they could from the story. Cameron created plot tension, anticipation, and suspense while cleanly and not artificially coming to satisfying conclusions. Lessons and morals were hinted at in realistic ways without being preachy. Now I know why my students adore these books. :o)

I've been looking forward to this one ever since I saw Cameron post that it would feature a corgi. Although my own fur girl is only a corgi mix, she definitely exhibited the herding tendency that any working ranch dog probably needs, so I was definitely curious to read Stella's story. It didn't disappoint.

While I won't share the plot here, I will say it was a heartwarming mix of both canine and human emotion and love. While Stella is certainly the star, the human family she must fit into is complicated and dare I say it, well, seems genuinely human. They're hard working, face difficulty, disagree, but ultimately want the best for everyone. Stella finds her place, exhibiting the courage I've seen in my own dog as it faced down a dog four times its size that came at us while walking, and showed that you don't have to be big to be brave and strong. In the process, her human family finds unity and while they may not always be on the same page, they show genuine love for one another and the ranch life that Mateo has.

Bottom line, I can see this one being a hit with not just corgi fans but fans of dogs period. Mateo's family may be complicated, disagree, and occasionally seem ready to give up on their dreams, but hold together. Thanks #Tor - #Forge for introducing me to Stella, Mstro, and the rest a bit early. I thoroughly enjoyed the read, especially with my own sometimes brave, other times couch potato corgi mix at my side as I read. It cares the message that even the least likely of us can rise to the challenge when push comes to shove and, oh, boy, what a challenge Stella faces to help/survive.