COOPER'S STORY

Cameron’s latest puppy tale stars a service dog–in-training.

Cooper, a Malamute/Great Dane puppy, enjoys life with his litter and canine best friend, Lacey. But one day, the pups are separated, adopted by different families. Burke, who uses a wheelchair, wants to train Cooper as a service dog before starting sixth grade; previously home-schooled, Burke believes that Cooper will help him fit in at middle school. Homesick, Cooper is soon further bewildered by strange games to teach him commands such as leave it and assist. Expository dialogue and Cooper’s quintessentially canine narration illustrate aspects of service-dog training as Cooper gradually becomes accustomed to his tasks and devoted to his boy—but not everyone loves Cooper. The author muddles a potentially educational plot by conflating service dogs—which are trained to perform specific tasks and granted full public-access rights by the Americans With Disabilities Act—and emotional support animals, which are not. Such confusion risks perpetuating misconceptions about service animals. Burke’s relationship with his older brother is heartening, but their affectionately humorous banter can’t override unclear information or an implausible plot. The premise that a young person with a disability should have to depend on the charisma of a dog to be accepted by peers is troublingly not addressed. Most characters default to White.

More frustrating than heartwarming.