Boris

By Cynthia Rylant

“It’s a grand experience, this set of poems, this rumination on the cat and the human condition” (School Library Journal).
 
Boris is a big gray cat who loves sleeping and playing and exploring and hunting. And his owner loves him for all of his simple cat ways.
 
But Boris, typical as he may be, is part of a much larger story in this moving exploration of love, longing, compassion, and most of all, the continuous give-and-take of companionship.
 
Newbery Medal recipient Cynthia Rylant’s powerful collection of poems is sure to find its place in the hearts of readers of all ages, especially those who have been lucky enough to experience the many joys and hardships that come with true friendship.
 
“Makes a great introduction for readers not comfortable with poetry. The poems tell an accessible, compelling story . . . Warm and tender.” —The Horn Book
 
“With characteristic sensitivity, Rylant addresses one of her cats in a set of conversational free-verse poems—recalling the day she brought him and his sister home from the humane shelter, warning him about predatory eagles, congratulating him on bonding rather than battling with a new neighbor’s cat and on surviving a solitary jaunt into the surrounding woods.” —Kirkus Reviews
 
“This can be appreciated for the sway of the writing or for its celebration of cats.” —Booklist

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Feb 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9780547537696

Cynthia Rylant

Cynthia Rylant is the author of more than 100 books for young people, including the beloved Henry and Mudge, Annie and Snowball, Brownie & Pearl, Motor Mouse, and Mr. Putter & Tabby series. Her novel Missing May received the Newbery Medal. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Book preview

1

They were smart

to put a storefront

humane shelter

on the street I walked.

I was new in town.

Everybody else was used

to those cats in cages

in the windows.

They kept on walking,

trained not to glance over,

lest they lie awake

at night thinking about

that long-haired tabby

waiting

waiting

waiting.

But I hadn’t been trained.

I tried not to look.

I have never been able

to go to a humane shelter.

But now

they had brought one to me.

I’d buried my last cat

two years before.

I had only dogs now.

Dogs that didn’t get into

howling, spitting fights

in the middle of the night.

Dogs that didn’t spray

or leave chunks of

frothy hair ball on the

carpet exactly where I

place my feet

in the morning.

I had buried my last cat.

I was a dog person now.

But they’d put a storefront

humane shelter

on the street I walked

every day.

And I was new in town.

I lasted two months.

Then I went inside,

swearing I’d get only one,

and only a girl,

and no more.

Working hard to keep

my heart together.

Cages, cages, eyes.

They can’t be too sad.

Cats sleep 80 percent

of the time.

They are all right,

could be worse.

Don’t look at that dog

over there.

The one storefront dog

in the cage.

You will break apart.

Not made for shelters.

Ashamed of it.

But not made for shelters.

At first I thought,

I’ll choose this one,

this nervous one.

I’ll choose this one,

this old battered one.

I’ll choose this one,

this bright one.

Cages, cages, eyes.

And then last cage,

last cage,

there you

Reviews for Boris

[hartleyca · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great author, written in the style of a poem, with challenging ideas and vocabulary about a cat

[satyridae · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A cat captured and cherished through pellucid free verse.

[dawsong_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A poignant collection of observations about a mysteriously intriguing cat named Boris. Atmospheric without being maudlin, sympathetic without the requisite death, this was a pleasure to read and will strike a chord with most cat lovers. Recommended October 2005

[cheryl_in_cc_nv · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A great companion to Love That Dog by Sharon Creech.