Don't Trust the Cat. Kristen Tracy. 2023. [July] 336 pages. [Source: Library] [J Fiction; MG Fiction; Speculative fiction]
First sentence: What if it's possible to fix your whole life in an instant?
Premise/plot: Poppy (a human fifth grader) changes places accidentally with Mitten Man (her mischievous cat). The novel is told in alternating view points. Poppy has no experience being a cat, of course. And Mitten Man has no experience being human, let alone a GIRL in fifth grade with delicate, fragile friendships. Both struggle with difficulties. Mitten Man isn't treated all that well by the parents OR the visiting aunt. Mitten Man is super-independent and before switching places was in troubles of his own--involving a feral cat (Death Tiger) and a turtle. Poppy, as I said, is having some typical troubles with her friend group. Poppy has to learn how to follow her cat instincts. Mitten Man has to LET GO of all his natural instincts and think about what is best for Poppy. (But is he capable of higher thinking????)
My thoughts: I wanted to love this one so much. I liked the premise. I think it could be relatable for young cat lovers. Cats can seem to have it all. But Mitten Man seems contrary. He doesn't seem to like any of the humans who live with him. (Not even Poppy). And everyone but Poppy seems to dislike Mitten Man. I personally don't like the way he's treated. (He's almost always being "punished" and stuck in the garage for hours on end. The VISITING aunt decides to go a step further, and put Mitten Man outside (lock him out). Since this is Poppy at that point, it's even more annoying. Ideal cat owners they are not. Mitten Man, to be fair, is super annoying. But I didn't want him to be annoying. I wanted to LOVE him.
I ended up disliking almost all the characters in this one--but especially the adults.
© 2023 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
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