Spy Cat

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Kehret, Peg. 2003. Spy Cat. New York: Dutton Children’s Books.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Pete the cat is as smart as any human but he has yet to communicate this to Alex or his little brother Benjie. When Pete sees a burglary in process next door he is able to wake up Alex in time for Alex to witness the getaway car driving off. As more robberies occur throughout the neighborhood it appears that pets are being stolen also. Soon, Benjie catches the thieves stealing Pete and when he confronts the bad guys, Pete is set free but Benjie is kidnapped instead. Pete and Alex set out to look for clues that will help the police find Benjie and bring him home safe.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Written from both a cat’s perspective and a human’s perspective, Spy Cat provides a who-dun-it thriller for young readers. Peg Kehret strategically uses italics to distinguish Pete the cat’s words from that of the other main character Alex. Pete often provides comic relief to the tense situations of kidnapping and robberies. The fast action will keep readers turning the pages to find out what happens next. Kehret is excellent at making pets part of the family and of showing the importance of caring for one another. A wonderful book for young adult readers and even mature younger readers, this mystery/comedy novel is a page turner.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

School Library Journal:
Grade 4-7-In this second adventure starring the feline, the Kendrill family is alarmed when they hear that a neighbor's house has been burglarized. Sixth-grader Alex and his six-year-old brother, Benjie, worry and wonder what they would do if their house were robbed. Everyone is understandably nervous, except Pete, who is sure he can protect his family; after all, he is a perfect watchcat. He does see the next robbery in progress and tries to warn Alex and his friend Rocky. However, while Pete can understand human speech, people can't understand Cat, much to his disappointment and frustration. Then all of his abilities are needed when the Kendrills' house becomes the next target. He tries to stop the burglars, only to have his plan backfire and turn serious when Benjie is missing. It takes the child's bravery and observational powers and the feline's wild antics and loud meowing to capture the crooks. This is a fast-moving mystery adventure that readers of James Howe's "Sebastian Barth" series (S & S) or Betsy Byars's "Herculeah Jones" books (Viking) will enjoy. Pete's observations are printed in italics so readers always know exactly what he thinks. Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA
Booklist:
Gr. 4-6. Pete the cat, who understands, reads, and thinks in English, but can communicate only in "meows," solves another crime for the Kendrill family. In his debut, The Stranger Next Door [BKL Fe 1 02], the crime was arson; this time, Valley View Estates is the site of a rash of burglaries. Seven-year-old Benjie Kendrill wanders into the burglary of his own home. Thinking Pete is being stolen, Benjie pursues the culprits; his life is in danger unless Pete can lead people to the clue left behind by the little boy. Benjie's foolhardiness comes across as questionable in an age of mistrust of strangers, and everyone but Pete behaves a bit too rationally, given the desperate circumstance. Still, kids who liked the first book and are ready for a step up from James Howe's stories can look forward to a fun, suspenseful read. Catherine Andronik