Homeless (Vet Volunteer Series #2) Book

sunita has always wanted a cat, but her parents are dead set against it. then she finds a group of strays living in the wild, and knows she can domesticate them—even though she's been told that these are feral cats, who see humans as their enemies. First, she convinces Dr. Mac to examine the cats, fix them, and give them shots. then she wants to re-release the cats, now healthy, into the neighborhood. but the neighbors consider the cats dangerous pests. will her plan backfire?

Children's Literature

One of the "American Girl" series, Homeless is narrated by Sunita Patel, daughter of two Indian doctors in Pennsylvania. Sunita is part of a group of five sixth-graders who volunteer at the Wild at Heart Veterinary Clinic. Sunita wants a cat more than anything but her mother is adamantly opposed to cats as pets. The vet's cat Socrates makes Sunita his favorite volunteer but gets in a fight with a pregnant stray and runs after her. The kids follow, to discover in the woods near the railroad an abandoned boxcar where about 30 stray, wild, and feral cats live. (These terms and many more are all explained.) But there is no Socrates. Author Anderson, winner of last year's National Book Award for her YA novel Speak, here successfully meets the challenge of writing a series story with a didactic purpose by infusing it with emotion and information. There's action enough, too, to satisfy even middle-graders addicted to TV's bludgeoning violence, but through it all author Anderson keep the focus where it belongs, on Sunita's feelings. 2000, Pleasant Company Publications, Ages 8 to 12, $4.95. Reviewer: Nancy Tilly—Children's Literature