scostner's review
3.0
Lisa Martin's story of two feline brothers named Anton and Cecil packs in a lot of adventure for the furry little guys. They live in a harbor town and see the ships coming and going all the time. Cecil is more daring and boards a ship one day to see what it is like. He chooses a fishing vessel that comes back to the harbor each night. He always has stories to tell of what he has seen each day. He even wonders what he might see if he went on a longer journey. Anton is very different. He is content to be stay on shore, especially because he can listen to music in the saloon in town. One day when he is watching a new ship prepare to sail for the first time, Anton is scooped up and taken aboard by the sailors to keep rats out of their pantry. When Cecil hears what has happened, he jumps on the next ship heading out to sea and searches for his brother. Most of the book describes all the danger, hardships, and even some good times that Anton and Cecil experience while they try to find their way back home.
Although there are fantasy elements, most of the description aboard the ship is done realistically. You can feel the stifling heat when there is no rain for days. Then you can smell the "sour, greasy odor" of the rat hiding in the Mary Anne's larder. This is not a book that would convince cats everywhere to decide they wanted to be shipboard cats. If you enjoy stories that feature animals like the Warriors series, then you would probably like this book very much.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
Although there are fantasy elements, most of the description aboard the ship is done realistically. You can feel the stifling heat when there is no rain for days. Then you can smell the "sour, greasy odor" of the rat hiding in the Mary Anne's larder. This is not a book that would convince cats everywhere to decide they wanted to be shipboard cats. If you enjoy stories that feature animals like the Warriors series, then you would probably like this book very much.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
hollyberry_1980's review
4.0
I had such fun reading this book! It is a perfect middle grade read for either boys or girls, it has something in it for both of them, and even their parents if they are reading it aloud with them, I think people of all ages can get something out of this story.
Anton and Cecil are brothers, and could not be any different in personality, however, I think that it reflects well on family dynamics. They still live with their Mother Sonya at a lighthouse in Nova Scotia, and travel to the docks everyday to search for food and entertainment. The way that the author's were able to portray the sailors and how they acted, and how that attracted the cats was such fun.
The cats were also able to speak to other animals as well, and that was an interesting twist in the story, and it was great how you got to see the different personalities in the different animals, and you could imagine that that is how they would be speaking if they could, it was great!
I enjoyed the pacing of the book, it was just spot on, and very easy for a middle grader to follow for sure and not be lost anywhere. I also liked that you got to see how the brothers interacted together, and when they were separated we got to see a real growth in both of them, and I think that there are some good lessons for kids to learn in this book. I would for sure recommend it for anyone looking for a good middle grade read, this one gets a 4/5 from me!
Anton and Cecil are brothers, and could not be any different in personality, however, I think that it reflects well on family dynamics. They still live with their Mother Sonya at a lighthouse in Nova Scotia, and travel to the docks everyday to search for food and entertainment. The way that the author's were able to portray the sailors and how they acted, and how that attracted the cats was such fun.
The cats were also able to speak to other animals as well, and that was an interesting twist in the story, and it was great how you got to see the different personalities in the different animals, and you could imagine that that is how they would be speaking if they could, it was great!
I enjoyed the pacing of the book, it was just spot on, and very easy for a middle grader to follow for sure and not be lost anywhere. I also liked that you got to see how the brothers interacted together, and when they were separated we got to see a real growth in both of them, and I think that there are some good lessons for kids to learn in this book. I would for sure recommend it for anyone looking for a good middle grade read, this one gets a 4/5 from me!
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