Stella: Ranch Patrol: Dogs with a Purpose

By W Bruce Cameron

Some dogs were born to lend a helping paw

From W. Bruce Cameron, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Dog's Purpose, comes the Dogs with a Purpose series. Stella: Ranch Patrol is a fun, heartwarming adventure that introduces young readers ages 8-12 to the incredible grit, natural herding instincts, and hard work of ranch dogs.

A Tiny Pup with a Massive Mission:
Stella, a spirited Corgi puppy, has a big attitude and a natural instinct for herding. A young boy named Mateo spots her potential immediately and knows she'll be the perfect new addition to his family's bustling ranch.

The problem? Mateo's family isn't convinced. They expected a big, tough livestock guardian dog to protect the property, not a pint-sized puppy They worry Stella is more likely to become lunch for local coyotes than actually help run the ranch. To make matters worse, Mateo's father, Werner, has just made a heartbreaking decision: it's time to sell the ranch.

To save their home, Stella and Mateo must team up to prove that even the smallest and youngest members of a family can make the biggest difference. Can this little Corgi rise to the challenge and save the day?

Why Readers and Educators Love It:
-Action-Packed & Educational: An engaging look into the real-world responsibilities and training of rescue dogs, perfect for young animal lovers.
-By a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author: Enjoy a masterfully told tale from beloved storyteller W. Bruce Cameron.
-A Trusted, Best-Selling Series: Part of the Dogs with a Purpose series that families, educators, and librarians trust to engage young minds.
-Great for Reluctant Readers: With short chapters, accessible language, and fast-paced action, this book is designed to keep kids turning pages.

More Tales for Kids from W. Bruce Cameron

The Puppy Tales Series:
Ellie's Story / Bailey's Story / Molly's Story / Max's Story / Lily's Story / Shelby's Story / Toby's Story / Bella's Story / Cooper's Story / Lacey's Story / Piper's Story

The Lily to the Rescue Series:
Lily to the Rescue / Two Little Piggies / The Not-So-Stinky Skunk / Dog Dog Goose / Lost Little Leopard / The Misfit Donkey / Foxes in a Fix / The Three Bears / Doodle Dogs In Danger

The Dogs With a Purpose Series:
Zeus: Water Rescue / Ripley: Fire Station Five / Stella: Ranch Patrol

Hey Grown-Ups
Read the original bestselling adult novels from W. Bruce Cameron These original, full-length novels offer a deeper, more complex look at the emotional bonds between dogs and their humans that made W. Bruce Cameron a household name.

A Dog's Purpose / A Dog's Journey / A Dog's Promise / A Dog's Way Home / A Dog's Courage / A Dog's Perfect Christmas

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1250815622
• ISBN13: 9781250815620
• Release Date: August 2025
• Publisher: Starscape Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Hidden agenda & misrepresented story

I bought this book for my corgi loving 10 year old daughter. I intended this book to be a birthday gift next month, but after skimming through it I'll be returning it. I bought this book based on its description of a relationship of a boy and his dog, the work experiences of the dog, etc. All precious sounding kid- dog stuff. I was shocked reading through it to discover ugly anti-homeschool bias. Specifically, at one point an older brother is trying to convince the obviously ignorant and backwards sounding father to allow his younger relative to attend "real" school. The father states "he gets his lessons off the computer". The older brother (who is clearly the character the reader is supposed to sympathize with), responds by listing all the reasons "real" school is superior. The most concerning aspect of this exchange is when the younger boy (who is actually the main character & the boy of the the dog), is asked about his grade level, it's revealed that instead of the 8th grade level where he should be, he is maybe at a 6th grade level because he just never finished his classes. He never finished his classes and none of the adults in his life made sure he did. He was expected to tend sheep, train the dog, and do other farm work. The clear implication here is that homeschool children are neglected and/or misused and would be far better off under the watchful eyes of government school officials. As a homeschool mother who has graduated one child and is diligently educating a second child who functions several years above grade level in almost every subject, I take great umbrage with the author's depiction of homeschool families as ignorant and borderline abusive. Additionally, I found discussion of the older boy's romantic interests to be inappropriate for tween readers. The only redeeming aspect of this disappointing, misrepresented book is the adorable dog on the cover.