bldinmt's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
glanecia's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up this middle grade book for two reasons: 1. Cat and 2. Newbery Award. I'd like to read every book that has received that award. Anyways:
I really liked this book! The animals talked, the kids could talk to them too, and one child in the story was unable to hear the cat talk, once he fell in love with a woman. How cool is that? It was basically telling me something I already believe about animals and children - they all can talk together just fine - and when we grow old, we can forget how.
Later, in the book, the boy who grows up, he can still talk to his cat (even though he was unable to earlier in his adult life). I think this is a reflection on how adults can regain the ability, once they grow old enough to become like children again.
This book really wasn't about the wonder of talking animals, though. It was about so much more. It was about a boy with dyslexia learning how to read, it was a book about coming of age, it was a book about the ups and downs in life. There were cozy moments, sad moments, and exciting moments. It had it all!
My one criticism is that the book kind of read like it had ADHD. "Once upon a time - squirrel!" What I mean to say is, that it would go off on tangents, that had nothing to do at all with the main plot of the story. It was all over the place - but luckily, that didn't ruin my love for the characters and their experiences.
I really liked this book! The animals talked, the kids could talk to them too, and one child in the story was unable to hear the cat talk, once he fell in love with a woman. How cool is that? It was basically telling me something I already believe about animals and children - they all can talk together just fine - and when we grow old, we can forget how.
Later, in the book, the boy who grows up, he can still talk to his cat (even though he was unable to earlier in his adult life). I think this is a reflection on how adults can regain the ability, once they grow old enough to become like children again.
This book really wasn't about the wonder of talking animals, though. It was about so much more. It was about a boy with dyslexia learning how to read, it was a book about coming of age, it was a book about the ups and downs in life. There were cozy moments, sad moments, and exciting moments. It had it all!
My one criticism is that the book kind of read like it had ADHD. "Once upon a time - squirrel!" What I mean to say is, that it would go off on tangents, that had nothing to do at all with the main plot of the story. It was all over the place - but luckily, that didn't ruin my love for the characters and their experiences.
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