Bella's Story
Page 14
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 MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.
First Edition: May 2020