Cages (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) [School & Library Binding]

Peg Kehret (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2001 | Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up

THIS EDITION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. After losing an acting role and fighting with her alcoholic stepfather, Kit is arrested for shoplifting and ordered to work at an animal shelter.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-- In a vulnerable moment of self-pity, 14-year-old Kit Hathaway pockets an expensive gold bracelet in a department store and is arrested for shoplifting. Sentenced by a juvenile-court committee, she is assigned 20 volunteer hours at the humane society. There she falls in love with a spirited little terrier who, tragically, is euthanized before Kit can find a home for her. She also finds it increasingly difficult to keep her shoplifting a secret, especially from her best friend. It is during a final class speech that Kit decides to reveal what she has done. With painful realism, Kehret shows the legal and emotional ramifications of teen shoplifting, but this is much more than a cautionary tale. Corollary themes of parental alcoholism and its incipient child abuse and animal population control are deftly handled. The story slips occasionally toward easy solutions, especially when Kit and her stepfather, avowed adversaries, too easily settle their differences. Nevertheless, Kit's determination to free herself from the cages of alcohol enablement, jealousy, and, ultimately, the secret of her crime make her an appealing protagonist. --Sylvia V. Meisner, Allen Middle School, Greensboro,
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

It's bad enough that Kit doesn't make the cast of the school play; when she goes home, her stepfather is drunk again. Later, seeing conceited classmate Marcia at a jewelry store, she impulsively tries to steal a bracelet and is arrested, fined, and sentenced to a period of community service at the local Humane Society. Kit's shame and humiliation increase as she lies to keep the incident secret, even from steadfast friend Tracy; worse, she discovers that her final exam in speech is to be an oral report on shoplifting. Kit's character and her distress are simply drawn but believable. The plot takes several melodramatic turns (a beloved stray is put to sleep just as Kit is arranging its adoption; her mother is suddenly hospitalized; her stepfather goes on another binge and has a serious auto accident) that make the concluding release still more effective: Tracy confesses eloquently to her class and is awarded not only an ``A'' but a coveted scholarship. Kehret pushes her message hard, but in positive ways. (Fiction. 11-14) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• School & Library Binding: 150 pages
• Publisher: Turtleback (June 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0613360516
• ISBN-13: 978-0613360517
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,625,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've published 45 books; all but two are for children. I wrote magazine articles, short stories, and plays for many years before I discovered that what I like best is to write books for kids.
When I was twelve, I was paralyzed with polio. I made almost a full recovery but I remember that time of my life so clearly that it's easy for me to write from the viewpoint of a twelve or thirteen-year-old.
I'm always thrilled when one of my books wins a state young reader award, because I know those awards are voted on by children.
I am a widow who was married for 48 years. I have two grown children and four grandchildren. I live on a small wildlife sanctuary near Mt. Rainier National Park and I often have deer and elk in my yard.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars ~*!!My Cages review!!*~, May 17, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Cages (Paperback)

In the book cages, Kit steals a bracelet from Pierre's because of problems with her step father and because she didn't get the part she wanted in the school play. Then Kit has to do twenty hours of community service work at the Humane Society to get it taken off her perminate record, but she doesn't mind the work because she knows how it feels to be trapped in a cage! After a while Kit seems to find the key to her cage!

I thought Cages was an OK book but I didn't like it very well and I thought it was a little too predictable. I would mostly recommend this book to any girl in grades 4 and up.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Supenceful book if you love animals!, October 9, 2001

By 

Marissa (CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cages (Paperback)

This book was outstanding! It is about this girl named kit who is kind of troubled because she just lost the lead in the school play and her stepdad is an alcoholic. Kit likes a gold braclet and steals it. Kit ends up having to work 20 hours in the Humane Society. I loved this book because it has something to do with a girl my age and animals.(I love animals) This story kept me on the edge of my seat and it will keep you on yours too! I couldnt put this book down.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It was one of the best books I have ever read! Buy it!!!, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Cages (Paperback)

It was really sad, but it shows you that when it comes to having problems you are no where near alone. Kit is a great charter! She may not be perfect, but she is much better that way!The old man in the book is so smart! At the end I was so glad to see Kit's mother have the look of pride in her eyes!!! Kit deserved it!