Eric Walters,
Cat Boy
Orca Book Publishers, 2011.

Rating: E

Taylor’s love of animals and cats comes alive in this contemporary and quick-moving story. Set in the diverse urban setting of Toronto, Taylor experiences many new cultures while recruiting others to his cause.

Veteran children and teen author Eric Walters delivers a home run with this newest book. The characters are believable, the dialogue is authentic, the setting is rich, and the crisis is real. What makes this book unique is the way in which it was written and edited. As the Author’s note explains, Walters worked with students in the Toronto District School Board to create this book, chapter by chapter. The result is a wonderful read for any young person, especially one who is ready to develop their own values and make their own choices.

Educators would find this book an excellent catalyst for a discussion on community, activism and citizenship.

Thematic Links: Teens-Social Issues; Animals-Cats; Social Situations-Values

Christy den Haan-Veltman
Vol. 17, number 1
October 2011

*Rating System:
E - Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!
G - Good, even great at times, generally useful!
A - Average, all right, has its applications.
P - Problematic, puzzling, poorly presented.