Cat in the City

June 16, 2014
Adult author Salamon’s (Wendy and the Lost Boys) first novel for children introduces two beguiling characters. There’s the eponymous cat—a self-possessed, fluffy white stray who arrives in New York City bedraggled but not defeated, is dubbed Pretty Boy, and finds a loving community with an eclectic group of humans and animals in Greenwich Village. Then there’s the wry and worldly omniscient narrator, who’s given to making Carrie Bradshawesque observations like, “So Pretty Boy and Dee began the kind of relationship that was common in the city. They depended on each other up to a point, but didn’t go so far as to admit there was an obligation.” The story, which follows Pretty Boy’s journey to a permanent home, is most interesting when narrator and cat are front and center. When Salamon turns her attention toward a secondary character, a shy boy who gains a sense of self through the study of cello, readers may find themselves flipping ahead. Weber’s (The Story of Passover) stylish spot illustrations are little love letters to the Big Apple that also capture the bohemian bonhomie of Pretty Boy’s circle. Ages 8–12.

July 15, 2014
Adult author and former New York Times reporter Salamon places a cat at the center of her beloved city in her first effort for young readers.First seen as a straggly stray, hungry and discouraged, Pretty Boy is the central figure in a rambling storyline that crams in too many characters and coincidences but not enough child appeal. The cast includes two shopkeepers, three dogs and their walker, a family of four that has recently moved to the city and an elderly cello player. The tone is matter-of-fact (though the animals can speak to one another), and the plot unfolds predictably. Pretty Boy finds a home-eventually-and some of the people connect in meaningful ways. The friendly dogs, Maggie, Roxie and Henry, outshine the feline hero with snappy dialogue and distinct personalities, while Sam, aka the Cello Man, is the most sympathetic and interesting of the humans. Full-color, single-page illustrations and vignettes with a pleasantly naive look appear throughout, reflecting the action. Unfortunately they run the risk of limiting the audience further, as some readers may find them childish.An odd mixture of animal fantasy, music appreciation, sentimental story and (minor) problem novel, this bland concoction is clearly intended to charm but just as clearly misses the mark. (Fantasy. 8-11)

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July 1, 2014

Gr 4-6-A stray cat-later named Pretty Boy-is living on the streets of New York City when he is befriended by Roxie, Maggie, and Henry, a canine trio that often frequents Washington Square. Through his newfound friendship, Pretty Boy is taken in by Dee, the salon stylist who lives next door to Roxie's owner, and meets Eli, a lonely boy with a love of music, whose family has recently moved to the city. Just as Pretty Boy begins settling down, Dee decides to move and must leave him behind. Salamon interweaves the lives of several characters together, all of whom impact Pretty Boy as he learns to value friendship and family. With the theme of belonging at the forefront of the novel-from Pretty Boy's search for a home to Eli's struggle to adjust to urban life-the author successfully offers a story for young readers trying to discover their place in the world and their niche in life, and the flux and uncertainty that often goes with it. Weber's full-color illustrations brighten the pages, further adding to the charm of the book, and the ending, in which Pretty Boy finally finds a permanent, happy home, is satisfying. Bittersweet and meaningful, Cat in the City shows the solemnity and inevitability of change and the importance of finding a family and a home to call your own.-Laura J. Giunta, Garden City Public Library, NY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2014
Grades 2-4 He is just a stray white cat until he wanders into a dog park, follows a dog walker, and lands in a New York City knickknack shop. Fed by the owner and adored by the next-door hairdresser, the newly dubbed Pretty Boy finds himself sitting pretty indeed. Human friends, canine friendswhat else does a cat need? Salamon's breezy but sophisticated chapter book has New York down coldstreet musicians, subway rats, ridiculous rents, and all. The animal characters witness everything from a pet's-eye (or kid's-eye, really) point of view, not comprehending everything but gleaning enough about the grown-up worries. Each of Pretty Boy's episodes, from surviving a hurricane to getting stuck in a car bound for Maine, is underplayed with a subtle, dry style that should make this a hit with adults as much as kids. Weber's glossy, full-color spot illustrations have plenty of Greenwich Village quirk and find a charming balance with an animal-centered story line that is both naturalistic and believable. A sweet love letter to New York, cats, and what it means to be home. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)