Gr 3-5–Mason quickly pulls in young animal lovers with an opening scene in which a puppy is rescued from a fire. The story then follows the puppy, Ember, through several homes where her owners do not appreciate her fervor for digging or her general exuberance. Finally, Ember gets a chance to become a rescue dog. The heart of the book focuses on the family that runs the rigorous training program for dogs and handlers. The characters are somewhat cookie-cutter, and the plot may be predictable for older readers. Young animal enthusiasts will likely find this title satisfying if not especially memorable.
VERDICT Not a first purchase, but recommended for libraries where heartwarming animal or disaster fiction series are popular with late elementary readers.
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