“Whisper is the first of a trilogy and is a tale of heartache, danger, and ultimately transformation… Adding an animal companion is always a great choice in books for children and Britney and Whisper are easy to root for…”

“Whisper is one of the best books I’ve ever read! The story is exciting, sad, and sometimes even scary, but it also has moments that make you feel hopeful. The beginning of the book grabbed my attention right away… The writing is really good because it makes you see and feel everything so clearly… the descriptions pull you right into the story. It’s not just a sad book, though—there’s adventure, friendship, and moments of happiness that make it really special… I would recommend Whisper to anyone who loves stories about courage, animals, and finding hope in tough situations. It’s an unforgettable book, and I think a lot of kids my age would love it…”

“In Whisper, readers will be inspired by the bravery of a little girl, whose courageous adventures set the stage for a story that will connect three families over three generations. Britney leads a life of pain and fear with an abusive father whose drunken moods and constant violence toward her mother have led her to spend most of her life in hiding… Her one comfort is an unexpected friend—a black and tan puppy who shares Britney’s secret hiding place. The two become fast friends, and when Britney’s mother finally decides she must send her daughter away for safety, Whisper the Puppy and Britney find they have only each other to rely on… Britney is a vulnerable character, but as readers watch her grow in trust and strength, they will come to understand that even the worst situations can be escaped and healed from. Whisper, steadfast and loyal, shows readers the profound importance of the love of an animal in surviving hard times. The story shows there is a great deal of cruelty in the world, but hope and kindness can prevail. Whisper is the first installment in a trilogy exploring family, friendship, resilience, and healing from trauma—it offers a poignant and inspiring narrative that will surely resonate with readers.”

“Whisper by Alison Bellringer is an emotional story that follows Britney, a young girl growing up in a toxic environment. Her home life is unstable and unpredictable because of her emotionally and physically abusive father. Living in constant fear, Britney learns to stay quiet and avoid drawing attention to herself… The story is written with a style that is emotional, direct, and accessible. It is told mostly through Britney’s perspective, giving it an authentic, childlike voice that makes the story raw and heartfelt. The descriptions carry strong imagery and emotion, I was able to relate to the pain and tribulations of the characters. The pacing is steady and provides a nice mix of both traumatic and moments of positivity and light. I found the themes of hope and healing the most powerful ones in the story. Despite a tough upbringing initially, Britney is able to find a new start when she is found in the woods by a puppy. Her bond with Whisper shows how even the smallest connection can spark strength and courage. Being an animal lover myself, I liked how this dog was the character to push the whole story forward. Another powerful theme in the book is the mother-daughter relationship between Britney and her Ma. Even though Ma is trapped in an abusive situation herself, she finds a way to protect her daughter and show her that she is not alone. Their relationship is portrayed with tenderness and demonstrated that love can exist even in the presence of fear and control. A mother’s willingness to put her daughter’s needs before her own is heartwarming and shows selflessness. I feel by highlighting this special relationship, the story becomes more relatable for young and older readers. I would recommend this book to all readers looking for a heartwarming tale. Since abuse is brought up in the story, if this topic is sensitive to the reader, I would proceed with caution.”