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Piper's Story: A Puppy Tale
Piper's Story is a new, delightful Puppy Tale, with a twist, from #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author W. Bruce Cameron!This cat is the new top dog.Piper is a kitten with big goals and a bigger attitude. She loves her girl, Riley, who showers her with attention and treats her like the queen she is. But Riley lives with other Lesser Beings like her brother Jackson, who's loud and smelly, and Tank, a slobbering mess of a dog who Piper simply cannot tolerate. So she hatches the perfect plan — she'll escape the house and find a new home for her and Riley. But she quickly learns that home isn't something you can find that easily.More Tales from Bruce Cameron!FROM THE PUPPY TALES 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 StoryTHE LILY TO THE RESCUE to the Rescue / Lily to the Two Little Piggies / Lily to the The Not-So-Stinky Skunk / Lily to the Dog Dog Goose / Lily to the Lost Little Leopard / Lily to the The Misfit Donkey / Lily to the Foxes in a Fix / Lily to the The Three BearsTHE DOGS WITH A PURPOSE Water Rescue / Fire Station FiveFROM THE DOG'S PURPOSE Dog's Purpose / A Dog's Journey / A Dog's PromiseTHE DOG'S WAY HOME Dog's Way Home / A Dog's CourageOTHER TITLES FROM Diary of a Good DogA Dog's Perfect ChristmasThe Dogs of ChristmasThe Dog MasterEmory's GiftTHE RUDDY MCCAN Midnight Plan of the Repo Man / Repo Madness / The Midnight Dog of the Repo ManAt the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
- GenresDogs
240 pages, Hardcover
Published March 4, 2025
23 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
W. Bruce Cameron
96 books4,504 followersI’ve always loved dogs, which puts me in a unique category along with what, maybe two or three billion people?
What’s not to love about an animal who will sit in your living room all day long, waiting for you to get home, and even if you need to work late and then stop for a stress-relieving beverage on your way home, when you unlock that front door, is absolutely overjoyed to see you? How could you not adore an animal who senses when your day is not going well and tries to cheer you up by dumping a sodden tennis ball in your lap?
I was probably 8 years old, playing in the back yard of our house in Prairie Village, KS, when my dad opened the gate and in rushed a 9-week-old Labrador puppy. I fell to my knees and spread my arms and that dog leaped into them as if we had loved each other our whole lives. It’s a scene that shows up in A Dog’s Purpose—a puppy and a boy meeting each other the very first time, both of them full of unrestrained joy.
We named the dog Cammie. She arrived in my life when I was just beginning to connect some of the dots in my memory to make a picture of who I was, forming my identity as a child. I remember every skinned knee and bicycle ride in the context of Cammie, who was always there for me. And I lost her just as I was starting to leave childhood behind, passing on after I’d spent a year in college. That’s Cammie, the dog of my childhood.
Years later I was riding my bicycle in the mountains outside of Pine, CO. A chance decision to bounce down a dirt road led me past a few scattered ranches and one small house near a creek, set back from the road at least 50 yards. A single “woof” from a dog caught my attention, and I braked and stood in the dry, clear air, regarding the dog who had called out to me.
She was on a chain by the house, and a fence stood between us, so I remained on the road even though I could see that the dog, a black lab mix with a crazily active tail, was clearly friendly. I gazed at her and the dog sat, attentive, staring into my eyes exactly the way my first dog, Cammie, used to look at me, really seeing into me.
And that’s when the thought hit me. What if this wonderful dog was Cammie? What if dogs live over and over again, and always remember us?
I dismissed the thought, waved at the dog, and rode away, but days later the idea came back to me. What if?
I’ve been a writer my whole life, but never have I ever written anything as important as A Dog’s Purpose.
I can’t promise you that A Dog’s Purpose will make you love your dog more—how could it do that? But I’ll tell you what a lot of people have told me: after reading A Dog’s Purpose, you’ll never look at your dog the same way again.
What’s not to love about an animal who will sit in your living room all day long, waiting for you to get home, and even if you need to work late and then stop for a stress-relieving beverage on your way home, when you unlock that front door, is absolutely overjoyed to see you? How could you not adore an animal who senses when your day is not going well and tries to cheer you up by dumping a sodden tennis ball in your lap?
I was probably 8 years old, playing in the back yard of our house in Prairie Village, KS, when my dad opened the gate and in rushed a 9-week-old Labrador puppy. I fell to my knees and spread my arms and that dog leaped into them as if we had loved each other our whole lives. It’s a scene that shows up in A Dog’s Purpose—a puppy and a boy meeting each other the very first time, both of them full of unrestrained joy.
We named the dog Cammie. She arrived in my life when I was just beginning to connect some of the dots in my memory to make a picture of who I was, forming my identity as a child. I remember every skinned knee and bicycle ride in the context of Cammie, who was always there for me. And I lost her just as I was starting to leave childhood behind, passing on after I’d spent a year in college. That’s Cammie, the dog of my childhood.
Years later I was riding my bicycle in the mountains outside of Pine, CO. A chance decision to bounce down a dirt road led me past a few scattered ranches and one small house near a creek, set back from the road at least 50 yards. A single “woof” from a dog caught my attention, and I braked and stood in the dry, clear air, regarding the dog who had called out to me.
She was on a chain by the house, and a fence stood between us, so I remained on the road even though I could see that the dog, a black lab mix with a crazily active tail, was clearly friendly. I gazed at her and the dog sat, attentive, staring into my eyes exactly the way my first dog, Cammie, used to look at me, really seeing into me.
And that’s when the thought hit me. What if this wonderful dog was Cammie? What if dogs live over and over again, and always remember us?
I dismissed the thought, waved at the dog, and rode away, but days later the idea came back to me. What if?
I’ve been a writer my whole life, but never have I ever written anything as important as A Dog’s Purpose.
I can’t promise you that A Dog’s Purpose will make you love your dog more—how could it do that? But I’ll tell you what a lot of people have told me: after reading A Dog’s Purpose, you’ll never look at your dog the same way again.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 2, 2025
I have to read everything by this author. It’s an addiction. This one was about a cat instead of a dog like normal. I feel like it captured the personality of a cat perfectly. I had a cat that definitely thought she was a superior being and this book definitely would have described her inner thoughts. I love how in the end she gets along with both the dog and the cat too.
There are some parts of this book that are scary for the cat and she gets in to some dangerous situations so while this is suitable for children I would say not children below the age of 9.
Thank you to netgalley for the free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
There are some parts of this book that are scary for the cat and she gets in to some dangerous situations so while this is suitable for children I would say not children below the age of 9.
Thank you to netgalley for the free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2025
Copy provided by the publisher
In a twist on the Puppy Tales series, this tenth book is narrated by Piper, a kitten who is luck enough to brave existence among Lesser Beings (humans) and end up with Riley, an acceptable 8th grade girl who tends to Piper's needs. Sadly, the household also includes Jackson, Riley's brother who is in 5th grade, as well as a large dog, Tank. When another 5th grade boy, Eddie, moves in nearby with his dog Chopper, Piper becomes determined to find a new home for her and Riley, since living with such uncouth individuals is clearly not up to her standards. This results in several instances where Piper escapes and roams the neighborhood before being found my her worried family. Eventually, Piper sneaks out and finds an interesting place, but is lured in by a Cat Lady, who decides to keep her, even though Riley is clearly wearing a collar that the woman removes and "loses". Renamed Tabbytha, Piper has to put up with the eccentric ways of her new owner while pining for Riley. While the treats are good, having to wear knitted hats is not, nor is having to cohabitate with a guinea pig named Wally. Showing her anger by peeing on an antique sofa gets Piper banished to the garage, since the Cat Lady is more interested in collecting precious objects than really taking care of pets. Riley stops by the Cat Lady's house on a neighborhood search for Piper, and even hears meowing, but can't prove that the cat is hers. Eventually, Piper escapes and finds her way home, only to find that there is a new kitten, Macaroni! It is unacceptable to have been replaced, even though she was gone for two months, and Piper plots revenge, thinking that if she could get the Cat Lady to abduct Macaroni, he would be out of her hair. When this comes perilously close to reality, though, Piper has to reevaluate the members of her family and assess her loyalty to them.
Strengths: There are relatively few books where CATS have adventures other than Hunter's Warrior series, and middle grade readers do ask for this sort of book. The Puppy Tale books are popular with younger middle school and elementary readers, so it was interesting to see a similar book from a cat's perspective. Piper is a stereotypical cat who believes that the Lesser Beings should serve her in grand style, but even so doesn't appreciate being held captive by the Cat Lady. I enjoyed the fact that Riley was very involved in sports, even attempting to try out for the high school football team, but still made time for her pet. The friction with the fifth grade boys and their dogs is realistic. The Cat Lady, Eugenia, is a bit over the top, but is eventually discovered after handing out flyers to find "her" cat, Tabbytha, and is quickly arrested but released after paying a fine.
Weaknesses: Riley names Piper "Piper Peanut Priscilla Mitzi-Moo Monkey the Marvelous", which makes her seem much younger than 8th grade. While I had questions about Eugenia's arrest, younger readers won't.
What I really think: This will be a big hit with cat lovers who enjoyed Burgos and Faison's Bodega Cats
or Fairbairn's PAWS books. It's a welcome realistic choice for cat adventures for those who find Blabey's Cat on the Run or Venable and Yu's Katie the Cat Sitter books a tad too goofy.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
In a twist on the Puppy Tales series, this tenth book is narrated by Piper, a kitten who is luck enough to brave existence among Lesser Beings (humans) and end up with Riley, an acceptable 8th grade girl who tends to Piper's needs. Sadly, the household also includes Jackson, Riley's brother who is in 5th grade, as well as a large dog, Tank. When another 5th grade boy, Eddie, moves in nearby with his dog Chopper, Piper becomes determined to find a new home for her and Riley, since living with such uncouth individuals is clearly not up to her standards. This results in several instances where Piper escapes and roams the neighborhood before being found my her worried family. Eventually, Piper sneaks out and finds an interesting place, but is lured in by a Cat Lady, who decides to keep her, even though Riley is clearly wearing a collar that the woman removes and "loses". Renamed Tabbytha, Piper has to put up with the eccentric ways of her new owner while pining for Riley. While the treats are good, having to wear knitted hats is not, nor is having to cohabitate with a guinea pig named Wally. Showing her anger by peeing on an antique sofa gets Piper banished to the garage, since the Cat Lady is more interested in collecting precious objects than really taking care of pets. Riley stops by the Cat Lady's house on a neighborhood search for Piper, and even hears meowing, but can't prove that the cat is hers. Eventually, Piper escapes and finds her way home, only to find that there is a new kitten, Macaroni! It is unacceptable to have been replaced, even though she was gone for two months, and Piper plots revenge, thinking that if she could get the Cat Lady to abduct Macaroni, he would be out of her hair. When this comes perilously close to reality, though, Piper has to reevaluate the members of her family and assess her loyalty to them.
Strengths: There are relatively few books where CATS have adventures other than Hunter's Warrior series, and middle grade readers do ask for this sort of book. The Puppy Tale books are popular with younger middle school and elementary readers, so it was interesting to see a similar book from a cat's perspective. Piper is a stereotypical cat who believes that the Lesser Beings should serve her in grand style, but even so doesn't appreciate being held captive by the Cat Lady. I enjoyed the fact that Riley was very involved in sports, even attempting to try out for the high school football team, but still made time for her pet. The friction with the fifth grade boys and their dogs is realistic. The Cat Lady, Eugenia, is a bit over the top, but is eventually discovered after handing out flyers to find "her" cat, Tabbytha, and is quickly arrested but released after paying a fine.
Weaknesses: Riley names Piper "Piper Peanut Priscilla Mitzi-Moo Monkey the Marvelous", which makes her seem much younger than 8th grade. While I had questions about Eugenia's arrest, younger readers won't.
What I really think: This will be a big hit with cat lovers who enjoyed Burgos and Faison's Bodega Cats
or Fairbairn's PAWS books. It's a welcome realistic choice for cat adventures for those who find Blabey's Cat on the Run or Venable and Yu's Katie the Cat Sitter books a tad too goofy.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
May 29, 2025
As a fan of W. Bruce Cameron, you’re used to his books featuring dogs as the main characters. But Cameron decides it’s time to concentrate on our feline friends in Piper’s story.
The book revolves around an adorable and spoiled kitten named Piper. Piper is adopted by a young girl Riley, whom she instantly forms a bond with. While Piper loves Riley, she doesn’t care for the other members of the household, particularly Riley’s younger brother Jackson and his dog Tank.
Jackson and Tank’s hyperness along with the danger of neighborhood kid Eddie and his Chopper is too much for Piper. Realizing she and Riley need a better and safer home, Piper sets out on a search. She thinks she finds the perfect home with a cat loving owner, but soon discovers things aren’t exactly what they seem. As Piper yearns for home, she realizes that maybe her old life wasn’t as bad as it seemed.
This story had a good mixture of heartwarming, suspenseful, and humorous moments. The illustrations were a nice touch and something younger readers would love.
Although this book was geared more towards children, it’s a story that adults can enjoy too. It offers a sweet message about home and family, and how you don’t realize how good life is.
Cameron has delivered another great story with this kitten tale.
The book revolves around an adorable and spoiled kitten named Piper. Piper is adopted by a young girl Riley, whom she instantly forms a bond with. While Piper loves Riley, she doesn’t care for the other members of the household, particularly Riley’s younger brother Jackson and his dog Tank.
Jackson and Tank’s hyperness along with the danger of neighborhood kid Eddie and his Chopper is too much for Piper. Realizing she and Riley need a better and safer home, Piper sets out on a search. She thinks she finds the perfect home with a cat loving owner, but soon discovers things aren’t exactly what they seem. As Piper yearns for home, she realizes that maybe her old life wasn’t as bad as it seemed.
This story had a good mixture of heartwarming, suspenseful, and humorous moments. The illustrations were a nice touch and something younger readers would love.
Although this book was geared more towards children, it’s a story that adults can enjoy too. It offers a sweet message about home and family, and how you don’t realize how good life is.
Cameron has delivered another great story with this kitten tale.
March 24, 2025
Piper may be a little kitten when the book starts but she has a big personality, a big ego and big expectations especially once she meets Riley, her human. Life would be perfect except for Tank the dog and the bratty little brother. But it is not long before both bow to Piper’s superiority. Then a thuggish kid and his brutish dog move across the street and they are not only an annoyance but an actual threat to Piper’s wellbeing. Clearly Piper is going to have to find a better solution and then come back to collect Riley, whom she loves dearly.. Before long she discovers she should be careful what she wishes for because what starts out as nirvana turns into a nightmare from which she struggles to escape.
When she finally gets away, she heads right home to Riley to discover an interloper has arrived in her absence. A kitten named Macaroni seems to have sucked up all the attention but when Piper’s three nemeses threaten her and the kitten, Piper rises to the occasion and with the help of her humans, they defeat the villains. Written from Piper’s point of view, it is a charming story with some moments of real suspense for Piper. By the end, she discovers there is no place like home.
Five purrs and two paws up.
When she finally gets away, she heads right home to Riley to discover an interloper has arrived in her absence. A kitten named Macaroni seems to have sucked up all the attention but when Piper’s three nemeses threaten her and the kitten, Piper rises to the occasion and with the help of her humans, they defeat the villains. Written from Piper’s point of view, it is a charming story with some moments of real suspense for Piper. By the end, she discovers there is no place like home.
Five purrs and two paws up.
March 22, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed A Dog's Purpose and other works by W. Bruce Cameron, so when I discovered by accident there was a new story out through a cat's perspective, being a cat person, I had to dive right in. Oh, was it amusing! Lots of cat puns for sure! I loved Piper's story about a kitten who views humans as "Lesser Beings" and believes the world revolves around her. At first she wants nothing to do with strangers coming as one by one her siblings disappear until she meets Riley, who gives her space and respect. Riley becomes Piper's pet, but she's not fond of Riley's brother or his mutt. Annoyed, she ventures from home and finds a nice older "Cat Loving Lady" who provides a delicious delicacy. Piper tries to lure Riley to the older lady's home however, she soon realizes the "Cat Loving Lady" is not what she seems and tries to escape. When Piper gets an opportunity, is it too late to return to Riley? Does Riley still love Piper or has she been replaced?
A must read for all feline lovers!
A must read for all feline lovers!
October 3, 2025
Cute story from W. Bruce Cameron similar to his dog books but from a cat this time.
It shows through that Cameron is a bit more of a dog person than a cat one in this book, its still cute, still from an animals POV, but the cat in question is more of a brat than anything and falls into some of the typical stereotypes of those who don't own cats use, making a cat person like myself a bit less enthused.
I wanted to like it more, I loved Cameron's Dog books, but just couldn't get past how Piper is more brat than cat, and Riley comes off more as a 2nd grader than a middle schooler.
The story was interesting and the cast of characters outside of Riley and Piper were fun to read about, along with the troubles faced by Piper, only marred by Piper's characterization.
Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for the eARC.
It shows through that Cameron is a bit more of a dog person than a cat one in this book, its still cute, still from an animals POV, but the cat in question is more of a brat than anything and falls into some of the typical stereotypes of those who don't own cats use, making a cat person like myself a bit less enthused.
I wanted to like it more, I loved Cameron's Dog books, but just couldn't get past how Piper is more brat than cat, and Riley comes off more as a 2nd grader than a middle schooler.
The story was interesting and the cast of characters outside of Riley and Piper were fun to read about, along with the troubles faced by Piper, only marred by Piper's characterization.
Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for the eARC.
February 25, 2025
I love Bruce Cameron, and I have read a lot of his books from the dog’s perspective, so this was my first time reading one of his stories from the cat’s perspective and if a cat could talk, this is exactly how it would sound. Especially a cat that doesn’t like people. Yet even a cat who is so self-centered must have purpose and I love how Piper is able to grow beyond the diva cat into something more. She is still Piper of course because who wouldn’t want to worship her, but she can still be a queen and protect those around her. Just lovely. Kids will love this. I am so excited to get it into their hands.
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group and Netgalley for allowing me read an advance copy of this title.
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group and Netgalley for allowing me read an advance copy of this title.
July 25, 2025
This is another excellent book in the Puppy Tales series. This time Piper the cat is the hero. Cameron is able to tap into the behavior and attitude of a cat. The adventures of Riley, Piper and the entire family make for a heartwarming story full of twists and turns.
April 14, 2025
Thus was much more enjoyable than I expected! NOT the genre I usually pick, but it was wholesome, with exactly the right amount drama.
April 28, 2025
I really liked this book and liked that it wasn’t about a dog, like normal. I think that this author captured the point of view of the cat amazingly!
December 31, 2025
This book was so good
December 2, 2025
I love Chihuahuas, so I was so excited to be reading this book after patiently waiting over a year after it was announced. The story focuses on a chihuahua puppy whose full name is Piper Peanut Priscilla Mitzi Moo the Marvelous, and she isn’t quite happy with where she was placed. Piper then had a rough climax when she got taken by a granny who was obsessed with dogs and even decided to rename her Athena. Piper eventually escapes the house only to find another puppy living with her, now there was going to be three dogs in the house, the Old English Sheepdog Tuck, and the two Chihuahuas, Piper and Macaroni. After the whole family defeated Dog Stealing Lady, they celebrated and Christmas. The story ends with the kids participating in a bike race the following spring. It was such a thrill to follow Piper’s journey as she teaches us about how dogs are one of the most intelligent animals in the world.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews