Dewey's Nine Lives

August 23, 2010
Dewey Readmore Books, the cat discovered in the book return slot at the Spencer, Iowa, public library that rose to fame in the bestseller Dewey, returns with his latest adventures. A preternaturally charming and lovable cat with a knack for knowing which people need comfort, Dewey touched the hearts of countless readers, many of whom wrote to Myron about their own pets. This book includes the stories of Myron's correspondents and their pets' antics and remarkable feats: we meet a "church cat;" a Florida resort populated by 28 feline guests; the "pantherlike" Spooky who survives an encounter with an owl; and Barbara Lajiness, who battles cancer with the emotional support of her companion, Mr. Kittens. We meet Glenn Albertson, who, after a long string of romantic bad luck, befriends—and later falls in love with—the author, their bond a shared love for cats. Captivating and uplifting, these personal stories will appeal to the legions of Dewey's fans who will be glad for another chance to make his acquaintance.

November 15, 2010

After the heartwarming Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, Myron had no intention of writing more. However, after receiving touching letters from readers relating stories of their own cats, she decided they should be shared. Selecting those to include wasn't easy, but she chose nine stories reflecting the same values used to describe Dewey--hard work, community, and perseverance. Featured is a tale from a citizen of Spencer, IA, who had a special relationship with Dewey as well as her own Tobi. Others include a single mother from Alaska who on Christmas Eve saved a drowning kitten dubbed Christmas Cat; a mother and daughter who adopt Cookie, a kitten needing medical attention who later becomes a watchful companion when the mother is ill; and Myron's most personal story about her new husband, his cat, Rusty, and their mutual cat, Page Turner. VERDICT Readers will be giving their own best friends a big chin scratch as they feel the Dewey magic throughout these pieces filled with laughter and tears. The original volume's numerous fans will be just as taken with this follow-up.--Eva Lautemann, Georgia Perimeter Coll., Clarkston

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.