Ella Unleashed by Alison Cherry, 197 pages. Aladdin (Simon & Schuster), 2018. $18.
Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Ella loves competing in dog shows, but it’s not the same without her dad there to cheer her on.
She’s convinced he’s staying away to avoid her mom and stepdad. She figures a girlfriend is just what her dad needs. She puts on her matchmaker hat and creates an account on a dating website. Posing as her dad, she picks out a few likely candidates and arranges the dates. What follows is a hilarious adventure of less than perfect outcomes and one that just might work.
Anyone who is curious about what it takes to show dogs in competition will want to read this one. Ella makes many mistakes with her dog, but she is determined. By the 3rd show she has a nearly flawless performance, but what makes this book so entertaining is Ella’s determination to find her dad the perfect girlfriend. The jams she gets herself into while pursuing these dates is downright cute. There’s a lesson to be learned when all is said and done. Don’t’ make assumptions, because they’re probably wrong. Unfortunately, the cover makes this book look like it’s for younger kids. That assumption is incorrect. Definitely for upper elementary.
Valerie McEnroe, Media Specialist
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