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The Sign of the Cat
Common Sense says
- Lynne Jonell
- Fantasy
- 2015
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Sign of the Cat is an engrossing fantasy novel about a boy, Duncan, whose father has died, who can speak to and understand cats, and who searches for his true identity while doing his best to obey his mother's wishes to lie low and stay safe. Though the book involves kidnapping, drugging, and some near-death experiences, the focus is more on the adventure and suspense of unraveling Duncan's true identity through the help of a network of stray cats he befriends and the big lessons he learns on the way about secrets good and bad. An engaging read for middle schoolers who like a good yarn.
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What's the story?
All Duncan wants is to be good at school and demonstrate his intelligence, but his mother insists he make bad grades every now and then and not draw attention to himself. As Duncan sets out to uncover why his mother wants to hide him and the identity of his real father, he relies on a secret special skill to gain knowledge and forge ahead: He can talk to and understand cats, who prove valuable in gathering intel along the way. As he pushes closer to uncovering the truth, he learns that secrets can be good or bad, that things are not always what they seem, and that it's important to get the whole story.
Is it any good?
In this fun fantasy, the writing moves along briskly, chapters have twists and cliffhangers, characters are complicated but relatable, and there are thorny questions to ponder as the plot unfolds. What does it mean to be honest? Is it OK to lie to protect our loved ones? Are we more than our reputations? Why do heroes and villains often seem interchangeable?
With a clever setup most kids won't be familiar with (a parent who wants her child to do poorly in school); the secret of Duncan's father's true identity -- and possibly his own; and the otherworld and language of cats, who make for more reliable companions and confidantes than one might have imagined, it all adds up to an engrossing read.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about talking animals. Why do you think they're so popular in films and books?
Can secrets be good? What's an example of a good secret vs. a bad one?
Have you ever had to play down your smarts? Why? What happened? When might this technique come in handy?
Book details
- Author: Lynne Jonell
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Cats, Dogs, and Mice
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
- Publication date: June 16, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 368
- Available on: Hardback, Kindle
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.