Alison Reads

A lyrical, poetic first novel about love and hate and magic, set in the steamy Texas swampland. A pregnant cat is dumped in the woods and makes her way to a shack where she makes friends with an old hound dog who is permanently chained to a post by his hateful master. The kittens are born and are kept hidden from the man, until one fateful day he captures one of them and throws it in the river to drown. The kitten must find its way back to its family. This book almost demands to be read aloud. A 2009 Newbery Medal honor book suitable for grades 4 and up.