Genres
Collection
Description
Eight-year-old Christine is late for school every day because a talking alley cat demands her attention, giving her much to think about as he tries to teach her to be spiteful and pitiless.
Publication
Milkweed Editions (2007), Edition: First Edition, 80 pages
User reviews
LibraryThing member Eowyn_33
Critique: This was a good example of realistic fiction, though the cat seems to talk to the girl, the book imples that she imagines this. The girl is a typical 3rd grader who goes to school, has a mom and a dad, and has neighbors and a mailman.
Characterization: Christine is the protagonist in this
Media: pencil and charcoal
Characterization: Christine is the protagonist in this
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book, in that she tries and conquers the difficulties of school and the understanding of eternity and the complexities that the Cat presents.Media: pencil and charcoal
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LibraryThing member pnadya
challenging ideas, looks easy, but is not. Only for strong readers with a leaning towards the unusual.
LibraryThing member Sullywriter
Surreal, funny and philosophical. Will go over the heads of most children so better suited for teens and adults. Translated from German.
LibraryThing member engpunk77
Weird story; I was attracted to the story because it was on top of the bookshelf, on display, in the school library. This imagery, on the second page, drew me in: "A whole world unfolded before me on the street, a world with glimmering rainbow-streaked gasoline puddles." I visualized this with such
The rest of the story I read quickly, unable to relate to anything else with as much interest, and I was mildly annoyed by the strangeness of it. In the end (this was the quickest read ever), it made a bit of sense and I felt a vague sense of satisfaction, understanding that this is about making choices about what you believe is true and right and how ultimately this coming of age causes you to sacrifice the magic that comes with ignorance, innocence, and youth. I did also end with an itching sense that I hadn't quite grasped its full meaning and that I could benefit from a second reading. However, I have no interest in persuing that meaning, so I'm just rating this a 3.
I have NO IDEA why this would be considered a young adult title, as I can't imagine it appealing to ANYONE younger than 25.
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delight, realizing that I hadn't noticed the rainbow-swirls in puddles in YEARS (a lot of years). Do only children notice these things? Do these images appear only to children? The rest of the story I read quickly, unable to relate to anything else with as much interest, and I was mildly annoyed by the strangeness of it. In the end (this was the quickest read ever), it made a bit of sense and I felt a vague sense of satisfaction, understanding that this is about making choices about what you believe is true and right and how ultimately this coming of age causes you to sacrifice the magic that comes with ignorance, innocence, and youth. I did also end with an itching sense that I hadn't quite grasped its full meaning and that I could benefit from a second reading. However, I have no interest in persuing that meaning, so I'm just rating this a 3.
I have NO IDEA why this would be considered a young adult title, as I can't imagine it appealing to ANYONE younger than 25.
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LibraryThing member Salsabrarian
Uhhhh, wha-a-at??? After rereading three times, I get that the girl realizes the cat isn't all truth or compassion but such perplexing prose to get there. I don't know any child who'd clamor to get his or her hands on this.
LibraryThing member electrascaife
A young girl gets in trouble at school and at home for stopping on her way back and forth to listen to a cat who tends to lie to her. It's as weird as it sounds, and not in a good way. Maybe much is lost in the translation?
Awards
The White Ravens (2007)
Mildred L. Batchelder Award (Honor Book — 2008)
Notable Children's Book (2008)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
80 p.; 5.25 inches
ISBN
1571316760 / 9781571316769