Norman Tokar (1919–1979)

I had to force myself to enjoy this book. It's great writing, good characters, pleasant setting...I just couldn't get myself past the subject matter. Over half the book is about tracking, trapping, and murdering raccoons. I like animals far more than humans and since this is done almost strictly as a recreational sport (not for meat/survival and selling the furs in only an ancillary effect of the hunt) it's unforgivable in my mind. It sickened me. I can't fathom how anyone can derive joy show more from soulless murder. show less

And the good guys win! Hooray! Was there ever any doubt? I never saw this movie as a kid, but I'm sure I would have loved it. There's nothing like a talking cat. Just watch the film if you're interested; the novelization doesn't add much to the story. Read for GarbAugust 2024

A spaceship crash-lands. The occupant? One cat.

This is a novelization of the movie by the same name. Reading the book was just like seeing the movie, with almost no changes or additions. No changes makes sense, but it would have been fun to get inside Jake's head a bit, or even Frank's.

Don't read the book. Watch the movie. It's very cute, and this novelization doesn't do it justice.

I was read this book in 3rd grade and I realize now that that was extremely too young for this type of book. The deaths of the dogs were heartbreaking and I think caused a lot of us 3rd graders to realize the concept of mortality. It would be a good book to read in an English class or in a social studies class since the timeframe of when this book takes place. It shows the importance of hard work as the main character works extremely hard to buy his two pups.