Gr 3–6—Ten-year-old Oona has faced the death of her father and now her beloved cat, Zook (short for Zucchini), has fallen ill. To spare her little brother, Freddy, from the harsh realities of life, she resolves to tell "whoppers" or tall tales to help keep him positive. Oona reassures Freddy that Zook has nine lives and has only lived five of them. Using storytelling methods passed on to her by her father, Oona constructs engaging narratives about Zook's past lives for Freddy. She also weaves in her feelings towards her mother's boyfriend in these tales. Joanne Rocklin has created a realistic and sympathetic character in Oona, Georgette Perna gives Oona voice as she skillfully narrates with a convincing and soothing tone. Listeners will agree that "Cat pee isn't a bad smell if you have a cat you love." This sweet tale (Amulet Books, 2012) of love and loss will resonate with listeners.—Amanda Schiavulli, West Orange Public Library, NJ

Gr 3–6—Oona is a 10-year-old who has big responsibilities and, according to her grandmother, chutzpah. When her cat, Zook (short for Zucchini), becomes ill, she must find a way to stay positive for her younger brother, Freddy. Since everyone knows that cats have nine lives, she creates several tall tales and "whoppers" about the feline's past five lives to entertain him and keep his worries at bay. Her love of storytelling was inspired by her father, who died two years earlier. Her mother begins to fall in love with a neighbor named Dylan; Oona has secretly nicknamed him "the Villain" because she's convinced that he was Zook's previous owner and that he abused the animal. How long can she avoid the truth about Zook's fate and about Dylan? This heartwarming family tale is filled with resilient and thoughtful characters who are willing to learn from their mistakes. Readers who enjoy the novels of Jeanne Birdsall and Leslie Crunch will appreciate this charming story.—Stephanie M. Rivera, Washington DC Public Library

All cats have nine lives, especially those with 26 toes, right? That's what 10-year-old Oona tells her 5-year-old brother about their rescued cat. They found Zook, named for fried zucchini, in the alley behind their apartment. Zook becomes the pivot for the plot when his kidneys fail and he needs daily infusions. Enter Dylan, a guitar-playing nurse, charms Oona's single mother and brother Fred, but Oona is convinced he's the VILLAIN who shot Zook with BBs several years ago. Oona has a penchant for telling whoppers, like her dead father, but hers are colored-coded (blue, black, red, white and yellow) depending on need and purpose. In her engaging narration, she capitalizes important words, teaches Fred to read with rebuses and tells him stories (again, like her father) about Zook's previous lives. With THEORIES to fit all circumstances, Oona's character is a combination of Harriet the Spy in curiosity and Anastasia in spunk. As in Rocklin's previous One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street (2011), the spirit of a diverse and multicultural community plays a key role. In an achingly honest resolution, Oona recognizes that, unlike stories, real life has both unhappy and happy endings. Another emotionally satisfying outing from Rocklin; hanky recommended. (Fiction. 8-12)