The Kitten Who Was Stolen

By Nova DuBois

It couldn’t be worse...Neelia is stolen. Who would do such a thing?
The entire Pearl family is devastated when a fun Spring Carnival turns into a nightmare. Mr. Pearl and Ginni are obviously heartbroken with Neelia missing, but Frankie may never recover from the grief if Neelia is gone for good. Neelia, his savior who helped him heal from his mother’s death, touched his heart, and saved him from despair. Now Frankie is again facing overwhelming sorrow.
What Frankie doesn’t know is that the entire town has fallen in love with the darling black kitten. While Neelia can’t help solve this mystery, perhaps the town folks and even Tyto and Mr. Whiskers can work together to bring Neelia home.
It has to work...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nova DuBois
• Release date: May 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9781959096887

Nova DuBois

Nova DuBois has spent her life among children’s books and elementary-aged children. She began her love of children’s literature in her early teens when volunteering at her hometown’s library where she held Saturday morning storytelling hour and assisted in maintaining the children’s book area. This passion resulted in pre- and post-graduate degrees in library science. She enjoys bringing stories to life for children and watching their imaginations soar. She has her own special black cat who helps provide inspiration for the Vine Street Mysteries series. This is the first book of this series, and who knows where her black cat will lead her?

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Copyright © 2023 by Nova Dubois

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This is a work of fiction. Any characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Printed in the United States of America

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-959096-86-3

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-959096-87-0

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-959096-88-7

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023937838

4697 Main Street

Manchester Center, VT 05255

Canoe Tree Press is a division of DartFrog Books

To Abby, a most loyal and true companion.

Chapter 1

April Fools’ Day

April Fools! I heard someone call out as I stepped into a big, white, gooey, sticky mess on the steps outside our front door. As the mess seeped into my canvas shoe, I looked around for the prankster. I had no doubt that the voice I had heard was Stanley’s, my next-door neighbor. Sure enough, I saw him about halfway down the sidewalk almost skipping as he laughed uncontrollably.

I went back inside, hopping on one foot, to go upstairs and change my shoes. Frankie was racing down the curved staircase.

Are you okay? he asked. You’re limping.

I’m fine, I told him. Stanley just played an April Fools’ joke on us. He put a big pile of whipped cream on our front stoop, and I stepped in it.

Frankie is my younger brother. He’s seven and in first grade. Frankie has always been a sensitive kid, and he’s been even more so since our mother was killed in action last summer. She was a pilot for the US Air Force. We all have been more emotional this past year.

My name is Ginni, and I’m ten years old and in fourth grade. My brother Frankie and I live with our dad, Jim Pearl, in a quaint house on Vine Street in a town called Makawee. Mom grew up in this house, and she loved it for all the little touches like the built-in bookcases, the cozy fireplaces, and the curved staircase. I love it too.

Our home has taken on some new members since Christmas, however. Dad was never one to have animals in the house, but since Mom died, he has allowed Frankie and me to have pets. Both our pets have a unique story of how they ended up on Vine Street. Neelia, our darling black kitten, was found huddled in the snow on Christmas Eve after some strange events drew us outside.

We were never able to find Neelia’s previous owner, so she has lived with us ever since. Frankie had the hardest time moving on after Mom’s death, and it wasn’t until Neelia touched his heart that I felt sure he was going to be okay.

My pet is the cutest little mouse you have ever seen. His name is Mr. Whiskers because, just like our great-uncle Butch, he has really long whiskers. During Christmas break, Mr. Whiskers was hiding small items of Mom’s, and it was Neelia who caught him. Believe it or not, Neelia and Mr. Whiskers have been best friends ever since. Last February, I knitted Mr. Whiskers a mouse-sized scarf, and he proudly wears it almost every day.

And we can’t forget about Tyto, the barn owl, who drew us outside on Christmas Eve. While Tyto isn’t a house pet, he is never far from Vine Street, and he joins us overhead as we travel around town.

I’ll be ready soon, Frankie. I just have to change my shoes. Frankie smirked at me as I hobbled upstairs, and I gave him a pretend dirty look as I passed by. Better be careful, I added. You don’t know what might be coming your way today!

Frankie, still grinning, picked up Neelia and as usual headed to the kitchen to dish up her morning kibble. As I limped to my bedroom, I began to think of an April Fools’ trick to play on Frankie. But since the whipped-cream incident had already made us late, I decided any pranking would have to wait until after school.

Settle down, called Ms. Zinger as we straggled to our desks. An air of excitement filled the room this Tuesday morning. While not my favorite holiday, April Fools’ Day is fun for many of my friends, especially those who have a mischievous streak.

Ms. Zinger continued with her morning announcement once we quieted. "I know April Fools’ Day can be quite a bit of fun for many of you, but we all are going to abide by a few rules:

1. Jokes may not be played during lesson times.

2. Any joke that may cause harm, physical or emotional, will not be tolerated and will be dealt with. The excuse of, ‘It was only an April Fools’ joke,’ is not acceptable.

3. As always, we will treat each other with respect just as much today as any other day.

4. To make sure that we all remember these rules, I have an incentive for the class. If we don’t have a successful day, then I have a packet of extra homework ready that will need to be completed by Friday—and, believe me, you will need the rest of the week to get it done by then. But if we have a day of respectful fun, then the entire class will be able to vote on two homework-free nights in the future."

As soon as Ms. Zinger mentioned homework-free nights, the entire class cheered. I was sure the class would have no problem having a good day—except maybe Stanley. I stole a glance in his direction, and he was looking at me with a wide grin on his face. I shook my head, wondering what that grin meant.

At recess I found Catherine Pebbles, my best friend. Catherine is a year older than I. She and her two younger sisters moved from Jamaica to Makawee with their mom about three years ago. Catherine has been the best friend ever. I spotted her across the playground and ran over to her, and I was surprised to see that her eyes were downcast, and her chin was trembling.

What’s wrong, Catherine? I asked.

I hate April Fools’ Day, she answered.

What happened? I wondered if someone had played a mean prank on her.

I couldn’t believe it when she answered, It’s too dreadful to mention. Let’s just go join in a game of kickball.

No! I snapped. I can’t have someone hurting you. Tell me—what happened?

Catherine buried her head in her hands, and I could hear her starting to sob.

I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close for a big hug while patting her head as she rested it on my shoulder. I could feel her shaking in my arms.

For the life of me, I couldn’t imagine what could have happened to upset Catherine this much. She is a very strong individual and gets along with everyone.

I pulled back a bit so that I could see Catherine’s face, and I was astonished to see tears running down her cheeks, but they were not tears of sorrow. Just as I was about to speak, a glint appeared in Catherine’s eyes, and the corners of her mouth began to curl.

April Fools! she shouted. You should have seen your face, my dear friend—gotcha!

I was stunned. I’d been sure that she was terribly upset, and all the time she was just pretending! I had no idea she was such a good actor. I punched her lightly on the arm with a scowl on my face.

Catherine definitely put one over on me, however, I never did come up with an April Fools’ trick to play on her. I kept thinking, though, about how Frankie had laughed at me that morning over Stanley’s shoe-goo prank. Back in class after recess, my attention drifted as I imagined ways to get back at Frankie. By the end of the school day, I had a plan.

You made it! said Ms. Zinger at the end of the day. Tomorrow we will vote on your two homework-free nights.

After we all cheered and shouted, I gathered my things to get ready for the walk home. As usual, I met up with Frankie and the Pebbles girls after