Catboy

By Eric Walters

Taylor and his mother have moved from a small northern town to the heart of Toronto. The differences are dramatic as Taylor becomes part of a classroom of kids as diverse as the city itself. While taking a shortcut across a junkyard with his new best friend, Simon, Taylor becomes aware of a colony of wild cats that make the junkyard their home. Assisted by his classmates, teacher and the security guard, Mr. Singh, Taylor takes a special interest in caring for the cats. Suddenly there is an announcement-the junkyard is being redeveloped to become condominiums. Can Taylor and his friends save the cats of the colony from certain death?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
• Release date: Aug 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781554699544

Eric Walters

Membre de l’Ordre du Canada, Eric Walters a écrit plus de 125 livres qui ont remporté une centaine de prix, dont un prix littéraire du Gouverneur général pour The King of Jam Sandwiches. Eric, un ancien enseignant, s’est lancé en littérature jeunesse pour intéresser ses élèves de cinquième année à la lecture et à l’écriture. Chaque année, il fait des présentations devant plus de mille cent jeunes aux quatre coins du pays. Il habite à Guelph, en Ontario.

Reviews for Catboy

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is an okay story. I like the idea of the story more than the quality of writing. I appreciate the boy's compassion for the feral cats but I'm troubled that no mention is ever made in the story, even by a prominently featured veterinarian, about the importance of neutering feral cats. That omission seems a bit irresponsible.

[jrlibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This would make a great read aloud to a grade four or five classroom. Taylor, who is in grade six, becomes aware and eventually feels responsible for a group of feral cats living in a junkyard. When he finds out from the security guard, Mr. Singh, that the yard is going to be made into condominiums, he realizes that he has to find a way to save the cats. Eventually, he does think of a plan, and realizes he can't do it alone. It will take the help of all of the friends and contacts he's made in his short time living in Toronto, in order to save the almost 50 cats that are living in the junkyard. A fast and very believable read.