Don't Trust the Cat - by Kristen Tracy (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Fifth-grader Poppy McBean likes rules and order. She's a follower, and she's totally okay with that. And if you judge her for that, she's okay with that too! But after falling prey to her friends' bullying one too many times, Poppy makes a wish to be happy--and it comes true in a very unexpected way: She wakes up in the body of her cat, Mitten Man. Mayhem ensues as Poppy-the-girl attempts to navigate the wilds of the wilderness as a cat . . . and her free-thinking, groundbreaking kitty has had it with his owner's timidity. He's out to put the purr in perfectionist and take over middle school--as Poppy."--Publisher marketing.

Book Synopsis

WHAT IF YOU SWITCHED PLACES WITH YOUR CAT? Mean Girls meets Freaky Friday in this laugh-out-loud story about self-acceptance, learning who your friends are, and coming of age . . . as a cat.

Fifth-grader Poppy McBean likes rules and order. She's a follower, and she's totally okay with that. And if you judge her for that, she's okay with that too! But after falling prey to her friends' bullying one too many times, Poppy makes a wish to be happy--and it comes true in a very unexpected way: She wakes up in the body of her cat, Mitten Man.

Mayhem ensues as Poppy-the-girl attempts to navigate the wilds of the wilderness as a cat . . . and her free-thinking, groundbreaking kitty has had it with his owner's timidity. He's out to put the purr in perfectionist and take over middle school--as Poppy.

Hilarious and unexpected, Don't Trust the Cat is a coming-of-age adventure that will keep readers cringing, cracking up, and reconsidering what it means to be a good person.

HILARIOUS: Guaranteed, this will be many kids' favorite book of the year.

EMPATHY READ: This book is a sneaky way to talk about empathy with kids. Both cat and human learn a lot about each other and change over the course of the book. Each becomes a better being because of their unusual experience.

DEEPLY FELT: This book has a funny premise and is packed with hysterical scenes, but it's also grounded and emotional. Readers will sympathize with all characters and leave the book feeling like they made friends while reading.

CAT SHENANIGANS: When Poppy's cat takes on Poppy's body, she wants to transform Poppy's life, turning her from a timid kid into someone who believes in herself. Like most cats she has good intentions, but things don't always go according to plan.

LEARNING NEW WAYS OF COMMUNICATING: For anyone who has ever wanted to communicate with their pets, this novel might make you think twice! Poppy and her cat come to meet in the middle, but they have to learn a lot about communication along the way.

EMPOWERING: Friendships are often messy, but this book shows that it's important to never lose sense of yourself within a friendship, and that sometimes it is necessary to stand up for yourself even to your best friends.

Perfect for:

• A smart, funny book for girls and boys of all ages!
• Cat owners and cat lovers
• Parents of tweens, teachers, and librarians looking for chapter books for 5th graders or reluctant readers
• Gift or self-purchase for kids seeking self-empowering books with humor
• Fans of Frindle, the Mr. Terupt series, the Wayside School series, Katherine Applegate, and R.J. Palacio books

Review Quotes

"There is plenty of humor throughout, but it's the realistically imperfect friendships that give the book depth and heart." --Kirkus Reviews

"Humor and plenty of misadventure make this an enjoyable read...humans and cats alike demonstrate, through comedy and angst, that worthwhile relationships aren't necessarily easy." -- Shelf Awareness

"[D]ishes up plenty of frisky fun...Humor and plenty of misadventure make this an enjoyable read." -- Shelf Awareness

"Tracy centers themes of empathy and understanding, as well as learning to push one's boundaries....It's a lighthearted adventure that will appeal to anyone who's ever wished to walk in their pet's paws." - Publishers Weekly

"The humor is light and gentle, the empathy each character learns is warmly conveyed and believable, and the deep love between these two protagonists are all strong selling points for fans of animal books, as well as readers who don't mind a dose of magic mixed in with their realistic middle-grades fiction." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"The friendships and families are realistically complicated and rewarding, and the writing is playful and nimble, sure to draw in reluctant readers. A wonderfully funny and empathetic exploration of evolving friendships and growing confidence." -- Booklist

About the Author

Kristen Tracy writes books for teens and tweens, and also poetry for adults. She's taught at places like Brigham Young University, 826 Valencia, and Stanford University. She lives in Los Angeles, California.