Ellie’s Story by W. Bruce Cameron

Ellie’s Story: a Dog’s Purpose Novel by W. Bruce Cameron. Tom Doherty Associates, 2014. 205 pages, including notes and classroom discussion guide

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10ellie's story
Recommended for: Ages 8-12

Bottom Line: Ellie’s Story takes us along with a search and rescue dog as she learns her job and enjoys a successful career.

Ellie is a German shepherd puppy when we meet her, smack in the middle of a squirmy litter of brothers. From her point of view, we discover the delights of warm milk and cool water and the first sniffs of Outside, where she bites the grass to show it who’s boss. She’s only half-grown when Jakob comes, and after playing with her for a while he says, “I’ll take this one.”  Ellie’s next adventure is a ride in a truck and introduction to a strange place.

Jakob isn’t just looking for companionship; he’s part of a K-9 unit that specializes in search and rescue. Ellie quickly learns that her life is Work and her Work is to Find and Show. She is not only bright, she also has an exceptionally sensitive nose. Her greatest feat is tracking an abducted little girl after the kidnapper has taken her by car to an abandoned shack in the woods. But Ellie is sensitive to her humans’ emotional state as well, and through her we see their stories unfold.

Dog-lovers will love Ellie—her big-hearted desire to please, her pleasure in Work. Humans should be so blessed, to know their purpose and fulfill it. The author’s popular novel for grownups, A Dog’s Purpose, followed one doggy soul through several reincarnations. For Ellie’s story, thankfully, he focuses on just one. The prose is engaging but the stark black-and-white illustrations are a little creepy.

Cautions: None

Overall Rating: 4 (out of 5)

  • Worldview/moral value: 3.5
  • Artistic value: 4

Categories: Middle Grades, Animal Stories

Stay Up to Date!

Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.

Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

Support our writers and help keep Redeemed Reader ad-free by joining the Redeemed Reader Fellowship.

Stay Up to Date!

Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.

Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

FREE Bible Guide!

Get a guide to the Best Bibles for Children and Teens. Perfect for an Easter gift.

Janie Cheaney

Janie is the VERY senior staff writer for Redeemed Reader, as well as a long-time contributor to WORLD Magazine and an author of nine books for children. The rest of the time she's long-distance smooching on her four grandchildren (not an easy task). She lives with her equally senior husband of almost-fifty years in the Ozarks of Missouri.

We'd love to hear from you!

Our comments are now limited to our members (both Silver and Golden Key). Members, you just need to log in with your normal log-in credentials!

Not a member yet? You can join the Silver Key ($2.99/month) for a free 2-week trial. Cancel at any time. Find out more about membership here.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.