Bella's Story Read online

    3.   Text Type: Opinion Piece.

  In Bella’s Story, Lucas’s neighbor chooses to report Bella to animal control, because Bella is a pit-bull mix. Although Bella herself does not exhibit any aggressive behaviors, pit bulls have a reputation for being dangerous. Some areas (like the place where Lucas lives) have laws forbidding pit bulls, or requiring the dogs be confined to the owners’ private property, which can make it difficult to exercise and socialize a pet. In Bella’s Story, the animal control officer decides to give Lucas a second chance with Bella, even though it’s breaking the rules and may put his job in jeopardy. What is your opinion? Do you agree with the neighbor who reports Bella and wants her removed from the neighborhood immediately? Or do you agree with the animal control officer, who decides to give Bella and Lucas a second chance? Write a short essay explaining your opinion. Use information from the text, as well as supplemental online or library research, if needed, to make your argument in support of the neighbor or the animal control officer.

    4.   Text Type: Narrative.

  How might Bella’s Story be different if Lucas was the narrator? With canine character Bella as the narrator, we learn how Bella discovers that Lucas is the person she is meant to be with no matter what, and the struggles she goes through to be with him. How would Bella’s Story look from Bella’s person’s point of view? In the character of Lucas, write a few paragraphs about a key event, or series of events, from the story. (For example, bringing food and water to the stray animals in the crawl space; standing up to the demolition workers; meeting Bella; meeting Olivia and Audrey; bringing Bella home to Mom; convincing the animal control officer to let Bella stay; searching for Bella after she escapes from Aunt Loretta and Uncle José’s yard; or reuniting with Bella.)

    5.   Research & Present: Jobs in animal welfare.

  The animal control officer in Bella’s Story has to balance the needs and rights of people and animals. Special training is required to be an animal control or welfare officer. Invite students to do online or library research to learn more about this important job. (Hint: check out the National Animal Care and Control Association at www.nacanet.org.) Students might also want to research other jobs related to animal welfare, such as animal welfare veterinarian, animal cruelty investigator, animal shelter manager, pet adoption counselor, humane educator, or wildlife rehabilitator. Have students present their findings on a job (or jobs) related to animal welfare in a PowerPoint or other multimedia presentation.

    6.   Research & Present: Companion and service dogs for military veterans.

  In Bella’s Story, Bella ends up offering comfort and even inspiration to Lucas’s mom, who is a wounded military veteran struggling to get back on track emotionally and physically after being injured on duty in Afghanistan. Although Lucas’s mom and Bella come together by chance, there are organizations dedicated to training and pairing dogs (often from rescues or shelters) with veterans who can benefit from the support of a service or companion animal. Have students work in pairs or small groups to research an organization that pairs service or companion animals with military veterans. (Here are a few organizations students might check out: Pets For Vets at petsfor vets.com; K9s For Warriors at www.k9sforwarriors.org; and Patriot Paws Service Dogs at patriotpaws.org.) Ask students to present their findings in an oral presentation, supported by colorful visual and written aids.

  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

  Bailey’s Story

  Ellie’s Story

  Lily’s Story

  Max’s Story

  Molly’s Story

  Shelby’s Story

  Toby’s Story

  Lily to the Rescue

  Lily to the Rescue: Two Little Piggies

  About the Author

  W. BRUCE CAMERON is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Dog’s Purpose, A Dog’s Journey, A Dog’s Way Home, A Dog’s Promise, and the young-reader novels Bailey’s Story, Ellie’s Story, Lily’s Story, Max’s Story, Molly’s Story, Shelby’s Story, and Toby’s Story. He lives in California. Please visit him at wbrucecameron.com, facebook.com/Adogspurpose, and on Instagram @adogspurpose, or 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

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  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.

  BELLA’S STORY

  Copyright © 2020 by W. Bruce Cameron

  Illustrations © 2020 by Richard Cowdrey

  Reading and Activity Guide copyright © 2020 by Tor Books

  All rights reserved.

  Cover photographs: dog by Holly Hildreth/Getty Images; bucket by InspiringMoments/Shutterstock.com

  A Starscape Book

  Published by Tom Doherty Associates

  120 Broadway

  New York, NY 10271

  www.tor-forge.com

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

  ISBN 978-1-250-21276-4 (hardcover)

  ISBN 978-1-250-21274-0 (ebook)

  eISBN 9781250212740

  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: May 2020