Why Books by W. Bruce Cameron Are a Family Staple

Every reader has a favorite book and a favorite author. Every parent has a one they'd love to pass on to their children. In our family, that author is W. Bruce Cameron, and in a plot twist, he's an author my daughter and I discovered together. Cameron's book "A Dog's Purpose" hit the shelves in 2010, and though an adult novel, it quickly became my then-middle school daughter's favorite book. Her copy was dog-eared and cherished as she read her favorite parts again and again. Cameron's "Midnight Plan of the Repo Man" was published when she was in high school, and we both read that one too. Something else really cool happened when my daughter was in high school: Her little brother was born. My children were born 15 years apart. It was in reading to my son that I discovered a whole other world of Cameron's work. At the elementary school book fair, we discovered Cameron's collection of "Puppy Tales." My son and I have been going through the series, and we are determined to read them all. Each story is told from the puppy's point of view and takes the reader along on puppy adventures of every kind. My son loves them so much he makes review reels for social media. That's why when I was offered the opportunity to read an advance copy of Cameron's newest adult novel, "My Three Dogs," I jumped at the chance. In true Cameron style, it is told from the perspective of beloved dogs. This time, the story shines a light on the determination of three dogs wishing to return to their person after a tragic accident separates them all. Though "My Three Dogs" is also considered an adult novel and includes some adult themes such as the romantic relationship of the dog's owners, I'm familiar enough with Cameron's work that I felt comfortable reading it with my son. No content in the book was so mature that I ever felt uncomfortable sharing it with my almost 9-year-old. Cameron is in the category of family novels as far as I'm concerned. At most, it prompted very human conversations my son is more than capable of having. "My Three Dogs," like Cameron's other books, lends the reader a dog's point of view with compassion and love for the connections humans have with their dogs. Through Cameron's stories, my children have learned and continue to learn that we are all creatures living on this Earth together. Dogs are family members, and what happens to us also happens to them. There's responsibility in caring for your canine, but there is also a deep bond that results from the respect and mutual devotion this relationship can bring. We savored "My Three Dogs", grateful we didn't have to wait until its late October release to read it. After we finished reading it, we headed to the bookstore to pre-order Cameron's next middle-grade book, "Ripley: Fire Station Five," so we can start the next dog-led adventure as soon as that one hits the shelves, too. W. Bruce Cameron and his signature books will always hold a special place in our family's hearts. If you haven't read any of these books, you need to. Better yet, read "My Three Dogs," and then sit down with your favorite child and introduce them to the wonderful world of Cameron's "Puppy Tales" or "Dogs with a Purpose" series. Check out Bonnie's weekly YouTube videos at https://www.youtube.com/bonniejeanfeldkamp.