Cathy's Book: If Found Call 650-266-8233

In a lot of ways Cathy's Book reminded me of a paranormal Princess Diaries (and I mean that comparison in a good way)- girl obsessing over boy, the self-deprecating journal entries, IM chats - but here it's taken to the next level. There are lovely drawings to illustrate the narrative and a 'packet' with gorgeous watercolors and other 'evidence' that Cathy discovers. The format was really intriguing and beautifully done. I've always liked 'scrapbook' style stories - they just feel so... authentic. Like you're actually peeking at someone else's life in all its messy hodgepodge. Or maybe like you're assembling a case. It's always appealed to me, so that was a big bonus of Cathy's Book.

As to the interactive aspects - they didn't do all show more that much for me as I tend to do my reading when I'm 'unconnected'. That said, I think the phone numbers and websites will probably appeal more to the target audience of teens.

The story is fun - I loved the part where Cathy sneaks her way into Victor's lab, she shows ingenuity even in the face of hilarious mishaps. I'm still not sure how I feel about the Grand Secret, but I hope that will sort itself out in the next few books. And the story is certainly addictive enough that I want to find out what happens to Victor, Cathy and Emma (probably my favorite character - she's hilarious).

More at my blog.

FTC Disclosure: I received a free review copy from the publisher. show less

Cathy's Book by Sean Stewart and Jordan Weisman has all the trappings of a typical young adult novel including just enough romantic, intrigue, and rebellious behavior to keep teen readers engaged. When you combine the social technology with the attractive journal format, this otherwise run-of-the-mill story becomes even more compelling.

From Personal Effects: Dark Arts for adults to The 39 Clues series for kids, I've been reading lots of multi-format books lately. This new genre of trans-media storytelling involves a written text along with additional resources. In this case, the book includes a packet of materials along with websites, phone numbers, and other materials that supplement the experience. Although not essential to the show more story, they add a personal touch that helps immerse readers in the story. The same is true for the doodling throughout the book. It's the first journal-style book I've read the truly feels like a real teenager's sketchbook/journal.

From the beginning, I felt connected to Cathy. She seemed unlike other female characters I've seen in young adult novels. Her thirst for answers, quirky personality, and poorly thought out decisions felt just like a teenager. The use of cell phones and computers offset her love of pens and sketchbooks making her a real-world 21st century character.

From the hard-working mother to the honor student friend, Stewart and Weisman developed well-rounded characters with both depth and breadth. The addition of a small science fiction element turned a traditional teen story into an intriguing mystery.

While many young adult novels have pushed the limit in terms of adult themes, Cathy's Book did a nice job providing enough dabbling with alcohol, romantic love, and light violence to keep teens interested without overdoing it.

I recommend this book and look forward to reading the other books in the series. show less

Reviewed by Jocelyn Pearce for TeensReadToo.com

CATHY'S BOOK is being marketed as a new kind of young adult novel. It's interactive, with a pocket of 'evidence', real phone numbers and websites, and other extras to help you learn more about the case. To be honest, though, that wasn't what made me love this book. Sure, the extras are cool and all, but I don't think they are necessary (and that's a compliment to the book, really!). CATHY'S BOOK could have stood on its own as a wonderful young adult novel.

It's the story of, as the title suggests, a girl named Cathy. I suppose she's fairly normal at first (though she is a better artist than most of us--I love the drawings in this book!), but she quickly finds herself mixed up in some shady show more business, due to her involvement with Victor, her older possible-boyfriend. I can't say too much without giving away the awesome plot twists, but nothing turns out the way you think it will! It all comes together quite nicely in the end, though. The startling revelations that finish this story, however, could set up a great sequel, and I hope that one is at least being considered!

CATHY'S BOOK is fantastic for a number of reasons. There are great pictures (and usually I'm not a fan of pictures in novels--I think it distracts from the writing), it's well-written, the characters (especially Cathy) are realistic, and the plot is quite suspenseful! It's not all action and suspense, though--there's a bit of romance thrown in (that is, after all, the reason for Cathy's involvement in the first place), which makes it fun. The only thing that might subtract from the awesomeness of this book, I think, is the fact that the publishers or whoever made this decision seemed to think the great story needed 'extras' to make it worth reading. None of the press I've read on this book mentions the great novel; instead, it talks about the 'extras.' That is not what makes this book worth it, not at all! show less

A very interesting blend of writing and real-life interaction. The story includes phone numbers and websites for various characters or places/information they discover, and when you call the numbers or visit the sites, there is actually information there. Brings new meaning to the phrase "mixed media" and fresh potential to the experience of reading.

I bought this book because the art is amazing, but now that I begun reading it, the story is actually gripping! But the best thing about this book is the design art and the gifts. Every illustration is related to what Cathy is writing in her journal. And the gifts are all clues to solving what is the nature of Victor.

When you begin reading you just have to know everything that will happen. What is great about the book is that it is fast paced and you can finish it in one sitting, and it is very exciting. You just have to know what Victor and the paper man and Tsao are. That was a great first book, though Cathy and Victor are not your average heroes, they are not heroic, they are very flawed but very human.

At the end you see Emma telling show more Cathy at her 18th birthday that the police will come questioning her now that Victor and Lu have fled, Cathy asked her what should she do, Emma said print out all your diary with every single evidence you've collected and show them everything, otherwise they won't believe anything.

I think they won't buy it even with everything inside the diary, they might think it's a young girl's fantasy.

Anyway the war of the immortals has just begun, all in order to stop death and time.

Can't wait to read book 2: Cathy's Key! show less

[Sunday, June 26, 2011] I bought this book because the art is amazing, but now that I begun reading it, the story is actually gripping! But the best thing about this book is the design art and the gifts. Every illustration is related to what Cathy is writing in her journal. And the gifts are all clues to solving what is the nature of Victor.

When you begin reading you just have to know everything that will happen. What is great about the book is that it is fast paced and you can finish it in one sitting, and it is very exciting. You just have to know what Victor and the paper man and Tsao are. That was a great first book, though Cathy and Victor are not your average heroes, they are not heroic, they are very flawed but very human.

At the show more end you see Emma telling Cathy at her 18th birthday that the police will come questioning her now that Victor and Lu have fled, Cathy asked her what should she do, Emma said print out all your diary with every single evidence you've collected and show them everything, otherwise they won't believe anything.

I think they won't buy it even with everything inside the diary, they might think it's a young girl's fantasy.

Anyway the war of the immortals has just begun, all in order to stop death and time.

Can't wait to read book 2: Cathy's Key! show less

Teen fiction. Though it dawdles on somewhat about the CoverGirl makeup line (they removed the brand name, but all the makeup talk is still in there), this is a suspenseful (and interactive) mystery that reluctant teens will love.