A Dog’s Purpose Puppy Tale 4 – Max’s Story

W. Bruce Cameron's A Dog's Purpose Tale - Max's Story is a funny, touching dog's-eye story for 8 year olds about a very small puppy with a very big attitude.

What happens

Max is part Chihuahua, part Yorkie and all bossy. He's born in a shelter and quickly realises he's tiny. So he decides he'd better be the toughest dog anywhere. He growls at the other puppies. He growls at the staff. He snaps at a little girl who grabs at him, which doesn't help his chances of a home one bit.

But Max knows something deep down. There's a girl out there he's meant to look after. When he spots her walking some dogs through the park, he's completely sure it's her. The problem? She walks right past.

What follows is a mad dash through New York to catch up with her (bikes, balloon animals, traffic and all). The girl is CJ, who's spending the summer in the city and already has a dog of her own at home.

It's told by Max himself, and that's the joy of it. He gets things hilariously wrong. He thinks a lift is a tiny room that shakes. He tries to boss a cat, who just jumps on the counter and looks down at him. Who hasn't met a small dog who thinks he's a lion? But under all the bluster you can feel how much he loves his girl.

There's plenty going on for CJ too. She's staying with her mum's friend Jillian, who is NOT keen on a dog in her flat. CJ walks other people's dogs as her summer job, and there's a huge, snarling dog down the corridor called Baxter.

One thing for animal lovers to know. Early on the shelter decides Max can't be homed and will be put to sleep the next day. Later his lead gets caught in the lift doors and he can't breathe for a scary moment. Both are dealt with quickly, but a sensitive reader might need a hug.

If you've got a reader who adores dogs and doesn't mind a lump in the throat, this is a real treat.

What to read next

If they fall for CJ, her dog back home has a book too. Molly's Story tells how a poodle-mix puppy called Molly first meets her girl.