Shelby's Story Read online

2. In Shelby’s Story: A Dog’s Way Home Tale, rescue dog Shelby is being trained to play the role of “Bella” for the film adaptation of A Dog’s Way Home. Bella’s often harrowing, but always heartfelt, journey back to the person who needs her, and the person she needs—no matter how many miles or obstacles stand between them—makes for a compelling story on the page or onscreen. Can you think of stories, or books, which had dogs as main characters? Would you like to see one of them made into a movie? Which one would you pick and why?

  3. Street-toughened, but tender-hearted pup Shelby is the main character and narrator in Shelby’s Story: A Dog’s Way Home Tale, so readers have access to all her thoughts and feelings. Have you ever wondered what your own, or a friend’s, dog was thinking or feeling? Do you think your dog, or pet, can tell how you are feeling? Why or why not? Do you feel like you can communicate with your dog or pet even if you can’t have an actual conversation with an animal like you can with another person?

  Post-Reading Discussion Questions

  1. The whole story is told from Shelby the dog’s point of view. Do you think having a dog telling the tale affects your reaction to the story? Do you think you would feel differently about the story if it were told from a human narrator’s point of view? How are canine and human perspectives similar? How are they different?

  2. During her puppyhood in Chapter 1, Shelby seems to enjoy the warmth and comfort of her canine family, but what impression do you get of her original human caretakers and circumstances from her description?

  3. Since she doesn’t know human language and labels for things, Shelby often observes objects with vivid, and often humorous, detail, guided by her sense of smell, taste, and touch. For example, in Chapter 1, she comes up with this description of dandelions: “They were fuzzy yellow circles attached to strong stems. They did not taste very good, but when I bit at them, they bobbed and danced on their stems, and that was almost like a game.” Can you recall, or find, some of Shelby’s other descriptions from the novel that you found particularly colorful or funny?

  4. A recurring theme in Shelby’s puppyhood is her intense and chronic hunger. Why do you think author W. Bruce Cameron chooses to have Shelby describe the hunger almost as if it as an animated thing separate from Shelby herself?

  5. Shelby is conflicted between staying in the security and familiarity of her yard and exploring the world beyond the fence, with its potential for food and adventure. Have you ever been in a situation where you were torn between doing something that was familiar and trying something new? What does Shelby decide to do?

  6. In Chapter 2, Shelby and her sister, Splotch, are scavenging for food. How do people’s differing reactions to the stray pups reveal the great variety in human nature? Do you think Shelby makes the right choice to run away when the dogcatcher captures Splotch?

  7. How does the man who works at the dump reinforce Shelby’s distrust and fear of people? When Megan from the animal shelter rescues Shelby from the dump, what does Shelby observe about how different Megan’s voice, behavior, and body language is from other humans Shelby has encountered?

  8. In Chapter 5, Bruce, Cathryn, and Teresa come to meet Shelby at the shelter. Who do Bruce and Cathryn think Shelby looks like? Why is this important? The “character” Bruce is actually author W. Bruce Cameron, who appears in the story because it is largely about his experiences with real-life animal actor Shelby. Throughout the story, Shelby makes funny comments about Bruce, including sarcastic comments and jokes at his expense. Does knowing that Bruce himself is actually writing those comments add to their humor?

  9. Observing Shelby’s confidence in, and affection for, Megan, animal trainer Teresa comments: “If Shelby can trust, if Shelby can love, then she can be trained.” Why do you think Teresa needed to see these qualities in Shelby before she agreed to train her for the role of “Bella” in the movie A Dog’s Way Home? Teresa brings Shelby home and Shelby meets Teresa’s other dogs, Luke, Bode, Hercules, and Angel. Shelby is thrilled to be part of a “pack” again, but makes sure to use “good manners.” For example, Shelby observes: “She jumped up to bark at me, and I let my ears droop to show her that I had not meant to be disrespectful.” What do you learn about canine good manners (or “PETiquette”) from Shelby’s interactions with Teresa’s dogs, and other dogs throughout the story?

  10. Shelby learns that in addition to a new home, she has a new job called “Training.” How does Teresa use treats, practice, and praise to teach Shelby commands like “Come,” “Sit,” “Stay,” and “Go Mark”?

  11. How does author W. Bruce Cameron cleverly use Shelby’s canine perspective to deliver a humorous, but informative description of life on a movie set in Chapters 9 and 10? Why is “Go Mark” such a critical skill for a movie dog? How is Shelby’s confusion about the term “Cut!” on the movie set a good illustration of how confusing and hard to decipher human behavior and language can be from an animal’s perspective?

  12. W. Bruce Cameron uses the dialogue between screenwriters Cathryn and Bruce to provide more information about some of the specifics of the filming process, which he can’t logically weave in to Shelby’s observations. What are some of the details you learn about filmmaking in general, and filming scenes for A Dog’s Way Home in particular, from the dialogue between these two characters?

  13. Professionals like Teresa, April, and Brian, who work with Shelby and other dog actors in this story, are not just trainers, but also caretakers for their animals. What special gear and accommodations does Shelby receive on the set of A Dog’s Way Home?

  14. Shelby’s bond with, and desire to please, Teresa is even more important than treats and training. How does Shelby’s struggle with the pretend deer carcass in Chapter 11 confirm this? How does Teresa’s handling of the aggressive Shaggy Male dog actor in Chapter 12 demonstrate that she fully reciprocates Shelby’s love and concern?

  15. Going to the red-carpet premiere of A Dog’s Way Home is fun for Shelby, but the real cause of celebration for her is having “her own person” and a real home. How has Shelby’s definition of home changed over the course of the story?

  Post-Reading Activities

  Take the story from the page to the pavement with these fun and inspiring activities for the dog lovers in your family.

  1. TREATS, CAMERA, ACTION! In Shelby’s Story: A Dog’s Way Home Tale, animal trainer Teresa adopts Shelby from a shelter, to play the role of “Bella,” the canine main character in the movie made from W. Bruce Cameron’s book A Dog’s Way Home. Invite your child to work with you and other family members and friends to make a mini-movie with your dog, or a friend’s dog, as the main character. Will it be a mystery (The Case of the Missing Shoe)? Or maybe a comedy (The Dog Ate My Homework)? Together, you’ll need to develop a short script, which includes: a list of characters (animal and human); the dialogue that will be spoken by the human actors in the movie; the actions or behaviors the dog or other animal actors will need to perform; and descriptions of the locations where the action and dialogue unfold. Using training techniques and methods described in Shelby’s Story: A Dog’s Way Home Tale, try to train your dog to perform any additional tricks, stunts, or actions your script requires. As you saw from the book, making a movie involves a lot of people. You might want to assign roles to friends and family participating in the mini-movie project, such as: scriptwriter, actors, animal trainer, camera operator (using or borrowing a phone or other device with audio/video capability), and director. Make sure your child has your, or appropriate adult, supervision and permission for all activities and locations, and that all aspects are safe and reasonable for human and animal actors! Consider organizing a Red CarPET premiere party modeled after the one Shelby gets to attend. Invite friends and family to a screening of the mini-movie. You might invite guests to bring dog food, treats, blankets, toys, collars, leashes, or other gear, as (optional) “admission” to the premiere. You can donate those supplies to a local animal shelter, like the one that rescued and housed Shelby be
fore she became a movie star!

  2. PURPOSEFUL (aka PUR-PAWS-FULL) PROJECTS In Shelby’s Story, A Dog’s Way Home Tale, Shelby liked having a clear mission, especially if it meant helping Teresa. Brainstorm ideas with your child about ways that he or she, together with their dog or a friend’s dog, can help your household or community. For example, can your child invite a family member who has been trying to get more exercise, or reduce stress, to go on a regular dog walk? Do friends or neighbors have dogs that have to be crated for long periods of time due to work schedules, or other activities away from their home? Can you help your child offer, and make arrangements, to bring the dogs in need of attention to a dog park or other dog-friendly area where your child and dog can help provide those dogs with extra attention and activity while their owners are unavailable? Or perhaps you can help your child reach out to dog owners who are more elderly, who could use some help and company as they care for, and exercise, their dogs.

  3. WAGGING TAILS AND WRITING TALES! Author W. Bruce Cameron was inspired to write Shelby’s Story: A Dog’s Way Home Tale because of his firsthand experience with dog actor Shelby, who played the determined dog “Bella,” in the movie being made of his book, A Dog’s Way Home. Ask your child if they can think of an animal-related experience or observation which might spark their interest and imagination like meeting dog actor Shelby inspired Mr. Cameron. Invite your child to write a short story based on that experience. In Shelby’s Story: A Dog’s Way Home, Mr. Cameron blends what he learned and observed with fictionalized material. Encourage your child to blend imagination and information in their story, too.

  Reading Shelby’s Story: A Dog’s Way Home Tale in Your Classroom

  These Common Core-aligned writing activities may be used in conjunction with the pre- and post-reading discussion questions above.

  1. Point of View: When animal trainer Teresa adopts Shelby, she adds a new member to the diverse canine crew, which already shares her home. Since the novel is written from Shelby’s point of view, we learn how Shelby feels about “moving in,” but what do Teresa’s dogs (Luke, Bode, Hercules, and Angel) think of the newcomer? How might each of them describe Shelby’s appearance, attitude, relationship with Teresa, and how the arrival of a new dog affects the dynamics of their “pack”? Pick one of Teresa’s other dogs and write 2–3 paragraphs from that dog’s point of view. Draw on details from the novel, and the example of the unique voice W. Bruce Cameron created for Shelby, to help you give your chosen dog an engaging, authentic point of view.

  2. Home Is More Than Just a (Dog) House: In a one-page essay, discuss how the concept of finding your true home is important to both the plot and theme of Shelby’s Story. Using examples and details from the text, recall the different “homes” Shelby experiences (including her puppy home with an apathetic owner; scavenging on the streets with her sister, Splotch; life at the landfill; adapting to shelter living; trying to make sense of pens and hotels in transit to Teresa’s; and, at last, finding a real home with Teresa and her dogs. Explore how Shelby’s definition of home evolves throughout the story, and how she comes to realize that “home” can and should be so much more than just a roof over your head.

  3. Text Type: Opinion Piece. Shelby is part Pit Bull, part Rottweiler, and part “something else.” Pit Bulls have gotten a lot of “bad press” for being a dangerous and aggressive breed. Shelby, like her screen persona “Bella,” offers a positive portrayal of a dog from Pit heritage, but dogs that are full, or part, Pit Bull often have a negative reputation. In your opinion, is it possible for Pit Bull owners and breeders to improve the breed’s image? Why or why not? In a one-page essay, articulate and support your opinion. If you do think it is possible to wage a successful “public relations campaign” for the breed, include suggestions for what Pit Bull fans might do to encourage others to reconsider their view of the breed.

  4. Text Type: Narrative. In Shelby’s Story, the reader learns from Shelby’s perspective how it felt to be a stray that gets rescued, adopted, and eventually trained to be a dog actor with a starring role in a movie. How might the story be different if animal trainer Teresa was the narrator? In the character of Teresa, describe what it was like to meet Shelby, and welcome her to your life and home (with four dogs already in residence) and prepare her to take on the role of “Bella”. What were the biggest challenges and rewards during the training and filming process? Were you confident that you could turn a stray into a star? Did Bella teach you anything new, professionally or personally?

  5. Research & Present: WORKING LIKE A DOG: ANIMAL WELFARE IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. Do online and library research to learn how animals are cast, trained, and treated in television, movies, and commercials. What are the laws and logistics around animal actors? How have issues and concerns been addressed, and improvements made, to ensure humane treatment of animals in entertainment? What positions and policies have animal-welfare organizations developed to protect animal rights and well being? (HINT: Check out organizations such as the AHA, American Humane Association.) How and why do production companies earn the credit that “no animal was harmed” (in the making of this film/show/commercial)? Create a PowerPoint or other multimedia-style presentation to share your findings with classmates.

  6. Research & Present: PAWS FOR APPLAUSE: THE JOB OF AN ANIMAL TRAINER. In Shelby’s Story, Teresa, April, and Brian are animal trainers. Being an animal trainer is a demanding, if rewarding, job. Often, the trainers are also the animals’ owners, so they are caretakers as well as trainers. In small groups, use your local library and online resources to learn about different aspects of this unique job. What education, training, and experience are required? What kinds of opportunities and salaries are there in this field? Who are some of the most respected trainers in the industry, and what are some of the popular films or television shows in which their animals have been used? How might the increased use of digital animation instead of live animal actors affect the future of this job? Work collaboratively to organize your research findings in an oral presentation, supported by colorful visual and written aids (such as pamphlets and posters), to deliver to classmates. Each student should also write a summary of what they learned about the work of movie animal trainers.

  Supports English Language Arts Common Core Writing Standards: W.3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.7; W.4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.7; W.5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.7; W.6.2, 6.3, 6.7; W.7.2, 7.3, 7.7

  Also by

  W. Bruce Cameron

  A DOG’S PURPOSE PUPPY TALES

  Bailey’s Story

  Ellie’s Story

  Molly’s Story

  Max’s Story

  A Dog’s Purpose

  A Dog’s Journey

  The Dogs of Christmas

  A Dog’s Way Home

  About the Author

  W. BRUCE CAMERON is the New York Times bestselling author of A Dog’s Purpose, A Dog’s Journey, The Dog Master, A Dog’s Way Home, and the young reader books in the A Dog’s Purpose Puppy Tales series: Ellie’s Story, Bailey’s Story, Molly’s Story, and Max’s Story. He lives in California. You can sign up for email updates here.

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  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Notice

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Shelby’s Movie Star Biograp
hy

  Fun Facts about the Movie A Dog’s Way Home

  Reading & Activity Guide to Shelby’s Story

  Also by W. Bruce Cameron

  About the Author

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  SHELBY’S STORY

  Copyright © 2018 by W. Bruce Cameron

  Reading and Activity Guide copyright © 2018 by Tor Books

  Illustrations © 2018 by Richard Cowdrey

  All rights reserved.

  Cover photograph by Getty Images

  A Starscape Book

  Published by Tom Doherty Associates

  175 Fifth Avenue

  New York, NY 10010

  www.tor-forge.com

  The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.

  ISBN 978-1-250-30191-8 (hardcover)

  ISBN 978-1-250-30192-5 (ebook)

  eISBN 9781250301925

  Our ebooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension 5442, or by email at [email protected].

  First Edition: November 2018