Starting when she is a puppy, Ellie is trained as a search-and-rescue dog, and she lives with her trainer, Jakob, a dour widower who lives for the work they do. But after Jakob is shot during a rescue mission and decides to retire, Ellie is transferred to Maya, a lonely police officer who longs to prove herself, and thanks to Ellie, she just might. It's not long, however, before Ellie is injured during an out-of-country mission, and her powerful sense of smell asset for her search-and-rescue work compromised, and she retires, spending her latter years working in nursing homes and schools. But Ellie never stops being a hero: even in her retirement, she still manages to rescue a little boy in danger. Adapted from a portion of Cameron's adult title, A Dog's Purpose (2011), this approachable novel in a lyrical tone is from Ellie's perspective, incorporating humanlike emotions that, though perhaps requiring some suspension of disbelief, will resonate with young readers. A natural choice for dog lovers.

Gr 3-6 Ellie, a German shepherd puppy born with a special purpose, narrates this tale. After just weeks with her family, Ellie is taken away and trained to be a search-and-rescue dog. She understands that her job is important; she tracks down lost children and adults. But Ellie also senses that her trainers, first Jakob and then Maya, need her, too. Ellie's story is heartwarming and suspenseful as readers follow the working dog and her trainers into life-threatening situations. Black-and-white illustrations bring out Ellie's personality and add visual appeal. A discussion and activity guide at the end offer additional information about the life of a rescue dog. VERDICT A fine read for young animal lovers. Annette Herbert, F. E. Smith Elementary School, Cortland, NY

Ellie, a German shepherd, narrates her own story that begins with puppyhood. Selected by K-9 Officer Jakob, she trains at a young age as a search-and-rescue dog. Ellie writes her tale in what seems to be realistic dog language, so the reader gets into her mind as she learns to "Find" and "Show" in her role of saving people. Jakob is seriously wounded by a gunshot during a mission, and Ellie is passed on to Maya, a patrol officer who is insecure about her physical abilities to train with the dog. Ellie is patient, and in the end, it is the recovering Jakob who challenges Maya to continue training so that the dog can carry on with what she was trained to do.The rescue work is often arduous and dangerous, but Ellie's courage and dedication keep her focused. She senses when her trainers are unhappy and celebrates with them when each finds fulfillment in their personal lives.Cameron has written other books about dogs for adults, and this one is a charming and delightful story about what it means to be a working dog. An activity guide and discussion questions at the end of the book will encourage understanding about Ellie and others like her who truly are humans' best friends in so many ways. The book is a must for middle school libraries.Judith Hayn.