Harvey and the Collection of Impossible Things

by Garret Weyr, Minnie Phan (Illustrator)

Overview

The One and Only Ivan meets Pax in this charming illustrated middle grade novel about one stray cat's search for shelter, acceptance, and courage.

If you're reading this, I don't trust you.
You see, humans are sometimes kind to me. Some sweet ladies say hi to anyone they meet on the street. One human always saved me bakery treats.
But just as often, humans are not kind to those like me—stray cats. Many people think I'm dirty (which I am not). Some think I'm a nuisance, to be kicked or played with.
My mother taught me to be cautious, thoughtful, and kind. I am good at those things.
But she also taught me to be brave. And that's something I needed a lot of help with.
If you're gentle and you don't move too quickly, I'll tell you about it. How I met Danielle. How three sparrows showed me the way. How Chester changed my life. And how I became brave.
Are you ready?

For city strays, life on the streets can be unforgiving. When every day is filled with territorial animals, fast-moving traffic, and aggressive boys with sticks, it takes more than a little courage to get by. Harvey, a stray cat struggling to survive, is searching for a home of his own—one that's safe and dry, with a view of the sky. But when the unexpected kindness of one woman saves him from the harsh city elements, he is forced to rethink what makes a home and who, if anyone, he can depend on. With the sage advice of Chester the dog and three talkative sparrows, Harvey will learn that trusting and helping others are some of the bravest things you can do.

PURRENNIAL MESSAGE: A story about being brave and learning to trust others is always relevant to a kid's experience. Particularly in the current cultural moment, when social anxiety and technology-induced loneliness are on the rise, this book shows young readers how being brave, making connections, and allowing oneself to be vulnerable can lead to an enriched life.

FOR CAT LOVERS: Harvey's point of view has all the unique but recognizable characteristics of these adorable house pets, but still manages to provide refreshing alternatives to the stereotypes we typically ascribe to them. Infused with humor and emotion, this is a book that a variety of readers, cat lovers or not, can appreciate.

WRITING THAT SOARS: The classic, winning voice of this book makes it perfect for a gentle introduction to different perspectives.

BELOVED AUTHOR: Garret Weyr's middle grade novel The Language of Spells won a California Book Award in 2018. She is also a Michael L. Printz winner for her book My Heartbeat. A constant source of innovation and playfulness, she's a favorite author of books for children.

Perfect for:

• Fans of Katherine Applegate
• Fans of the Warriors series
• Young readers who love adventures that are exciting but not scary
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Educators
• Librarians

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781797208251
Publisher:	Chronicle Books LLC
Publication date:	04/19/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
Lexile:	580L (what's this?)
File size:	4 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Garret Weyr is the author of six novels, some of which have been banned, translated into a multitude of languages, and/or included in college curricula. She grew up in New York City and has an MFA from New York University. She now lives in Venice, California, with lots of books and too many teacups.
Minnie Phan is an illustrator based in Oakland, California. She is passionate about storytelling and inclusive image making. With a unique focus on diversity, her work ranges from editorial illustrations to comics, animation, and posters. When she isn't illustrating, she teaches Bay Area youth how to create comics; plays with her adopted bunny, Momo; and advocates for safer streets for bicyclists—and cats.

Editorial Reviews

[B]riskly paced and charming . . . [Harvey and the Collection of Impossible Things is] a tale full of heart . . .”-Kirkus Reviews  

“Harvey and the Collection of Impossible Things is a reminder that while being brave is admirable and a worthwhile goal, it doesn’t mean we should close ourselves off to trusting for others, human or otherwise. The book takes us through the journey of a little street cat in a big city whose struggle to survive mirrors that of so many homeless animals. Through his eyes, we understand that toughness doesn’t have to tamp down kindness for others or yourself, and that we all, no matter human or animal, have a story worthy of being heard.” -Tricia Helfer, actor and animal advocate

“Sweet line illustrations let readers glimpse the warmth of Harvey's roof refuge, as well as his world. . . . A satisfying read for fans of fiction narrated by sympathetic animals-and of course, cat lovers.”-Booklist

From the Publisher

2022-03-30
A brave city cat learns what it's like to find a home with a good human.

Harvey has had a tough life. His mother was killed by a bus, he's separated from his brother and sister, and every day is a struggle to satisfy hunger while avoiding mean kids, alley rats, and speeding cars. But one day, he meets a kind woman who grows plants on a rooftop. As their friendship blossoms, Harvey tries to check off a list of “impossible” tasks, like helping out his missing siblings. The short novel is briskly paced; days, weeks, then whole seasons pass as Harvey settles into a life he never could have imagined as an outdoor feline. The story is told from Harvey's perspective and in simple language, which only occasionally becomes unclear. But it's more than made up for by clever writing and a deep knowledge of cat behaviors and motivations. Charming illustrations effectively bring to life some of the scenes. As the title character's relationships with a dog named Chester and a trio of friendly sparrows, as well as kind humans, deepen, so does the book. Harvey and other animals he encounters are adorable, and the humans who befriend them are diverse in terms of race.

Not a perfect journey but a tale full of heart and memorable moments. (Animal fiction. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews