Jutta Richter

I enjoyed this concise poetic fable, but would have been even more enchanted when I was a 'tween reading things like "The Little Prince" and "Mister God This is Anna." This girl sees things that adults don't, like the fact that the abused dog belongs to a man who deserves even more sympathy, and that teachers don't notice a missing "not" when they assign 200 lines.

The cat is wise, but also judgemental... it reminds me of some of the teachers of martial arts, cooking, or related, in which show more the apprentice has to spend years scrubbing floors before being allowed to touch the pots and pans... is that a good way to pass down wisdom? More questions: Are most victims to blame? Is the ability to count important? Is Pug a good boy or a bad boy? Is it so bad to grow up? Or to eat the apple?

Do not underestimate children. Not all of them are satisfied with stories of just adventure and humor and would enjoy/ appreciate a philosophical tale like this. show less

A young girl gets in trouble at school and at home for stopping on her way back and forth to listen to a cat who tends to lie to her. It's as weird as it sounds, and not in a good way. Maybe much is lost in the translation?

Weird story; I was attracted to the story because it was on top of the bookshelf, on display, in the school library. This imagery, on the second page, drew me in: "A whole world unfolded before me on the street, a world with glimmering rainbow-streaked gasoline puddles." I visualized this with such delight, realizing that I hadn't noticed the rainbow-swirls in puddles in YEARS (a lot of years). Do only children notice these things? Do these images appear only to children?

The rest of the show more story I read quickly, unable to relate to anything else with as much interest, and I was mildly annoyed by the strangeness of it. In the end (this was the quickest read ever), it made a bit of sense and I felt a vague sense of satisfaction, understanding that this is about making choices about what you believe is true and right and how ultimately this coming of age causes you to sacrifice the magic that comes with ignorance, innocence, and youth. I did also end with an itching sense that I hadn't quite grasped its full meaning and that I could benefit from a second reading. However, I have no interest in persuing that meaning, so I'm just rating this a 3.

I have NO IDEA why this would be considered a young adult title, as I can't imagine it appealing to ANYONE younger than 25. show less

What would you do without your guardian angel? What would you do to achieve your dream? Would you sell your guardian angel if it meant achieving your dream? Niner lives on the streets. He had been living there part time ever since his mother's new boyfriend moved in and began his abuse. He has been living there full time ever since he found his mother in a pool of blood and the ambulance took her away. All he wants is to go to the sea with his friend Cosmos. It takes money to get to the sea. show more All Niner has to offer to sell is his guardian angel.
This was a great book. It took me a little while to get in to the book but once I did I finished it very quickly. I would like to read more by this author. show less