Molly's Story (A Puppy Tale #3)

Gr 3-5--A serious and perhaps overly emotional tale about a young girl named C.J. and her new puppy, Molly. In the same style as Cameron's previous "A Dog's Purpose" iterations, this addition is presented through a dog's-eye view, as Molly attempts to understand the world of her human. C.J. must keep Molly a secret from her extremely inattentive mother, Gloria. This is where the narrative takes a turn. Gloria is an extravagant spender who leaves her daughter unattended while she escapes on weekend ski trips. C.J. runs away for several weeks after a confrontation with her mother's boyfriend, and, oddly, Gloria does not report her daughter's disappearance or even speak to C.J.'s school. While the concept of having a hidden pet may attract young readers, some of the finer details of the plot are over-the-top and confusing. VERDICT Purchase where fans of Ellie's Story and other installments in this series are popular; a nonessential addition otherwise.--Ashley Selima, Lincoln Public Library, RI

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.... The book is a must for middle school libraries. —VOYA 4Q 4P M on Ellie's Story