The Cat's Meow [Mass Market Paperback]

Gary Soto (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

Third-grader Graciela becomes convinced that her cat, Pip, is able to speak Spanish when he looks at his empty bowl and appears to say, "Quiero más, Graciela," in a story that introduces basic Spanish words and phrases.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-Third grader Graciela is shocked when her white cat, Pip, starts speaking to her in Spanish. She has to deal with the situation by herself since her parents are seriously strange (maybe "because they're parents") and a friend from school thinks she's loca. So Graciela asks Pip to tell her her story and this feline does-in Spanish, which is translated in footnotes at the bottom of each page. It seems that Pip was befriended by an eccentric kindly neighbor who taught her Spanish (and several other languages). The details (perhaps involving earphones) remain a secret between Se?or Medina and Pip, but Graciela enjoys her new talking cat and her new friend. Unfortunately, a gossipy neighbor alerts the media and Se?or Medina is hounded into moving away with Pip. Graciela is devastated until her pet returns, now black and speaking French. On one level, this is a charming animal fantasy that is engaging and entertaining, with a sprinkling of Spanish words and a believable heroine. However, readers are sure to be distracted by concern for Graciela's parents, who repeatedly act irrationally, misunderstand what she says, and speak in nonsequitors. Soto's intended effect isn't clear (is it an attempt at humor? a child's perspective of how parents act?), and compromises the success of the book.
Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-5. Unconventional in more ways than one, this chapter book gives primary-grade readers their first taste of magic realism when Graciela's cat, Pip, begins speaking in Spanish. Pip plays a cagey game for a while, alternating Spanish words with "meow," until Graciela becomes thoroughly frustrated--by the cat and by the uncomprehending humans in whom she confides. Most authors would simply settle for a talking-animal story, but Soto creates a world that is slightly bizarre and surreal. Adult readers may find this more off-putting than will kids, for whom the adult world probably often does seem strange. What some children may balk at are the asterisked Spanish words in the text, which Soto defines at the bottom of the page. Others will relish both the chance to pick up a few foreign phrases and the fanciful story. Susan Dove Lempke

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks (November 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590470027
• ISBN-13: 978-0590470025
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,102,851 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #31 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( S ) > Soto, Gary

More About the Author

Born in Fresno, California to Mexican American parents, Gary Soto learned the hard work ethic through his share of chores, including mowing lawns, picking grapes, painting house numbers on street curbs, and washing cars. His hard work paid off at California State University at Fresno, from which he graduated with an English degree, and later at the University of California at Irvine, where he earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.Gary Soto is an acclaimed poet, essayist, and fiction writer. The awards for this multi-talented author are many, ranging from the U.S. Award for International Poetry Forum in 1977 for his first published book of poetry, The Elements of San Joaquin, to a Before Columbus Foundation American Book Award in 1985 for Living Up the Street, his first published work of prose recollections. His short story collection Baseball in April, was named an American Library Association's Best Book for Young Adults. In 1993 Gary Soto received the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video for Pool Party, and in 1995 he was nominated for a National Book Award.His other credits include fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the California Arts Council. Gary Soto is also one of the youngest poets to appear in the Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry. Several of his books have been translated into French, Spanish and Italian.Too Many Tamales was named a Booklist Books for Youth Editors' Choices of 1993. Hazel Rochman of Booklist said, "Gary Soto is an accomplished poet and adult writer, and his children's stories are widely popular. His first entry into the picture book genre is a joyful success."When he is not writing, Mr. Soto serves as a volunteer English teacher at his church. He also enjoys eating at new restaurants, which he does often with his wife, Carolyn, and their daughter Mariko. Other members of the Soto household include their two cats, Corky and Sharkie. The Soto family resides in Berkeley, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, June 9, 2011

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Cat's Meow (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is about a girl that has a cat named Pip. Pip is a special cat. He speaks Spanish. The girl wanted to tell everyone how unique was Pip, but they laughed and said it was a lie. The girl asked Pip who taught him to speak Spanish and Pip said it was his neighbor, Sr. Medina. I recommend this book to people who like cats and talk Spanish. When I picked this book I thought it would be awesome, but it is not so good, but not so bad.

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, June 9, 2011

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Cat's Meow (Mass Market Paperback)

The book, The Cat's Meow is the most boring book I have ever read. The story is about a girl called Graciela and her cat named Pip who knows how to talk. I don't recommend this book because the words are very easy and there's nothing interesting that happens. I thought this book would be more interest but I was disappointed.

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and funny story, June 9, 2011

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Cat's Meow (Mass Market Paperback)

The book The Cat's Meow is interesting and funny. It's a fiction story about a girl called Graciela who has a cat that can talk. She tries to show people that Pip, her cat can talk , but when she tries Pip doesn't say anything. This is why everyone thinks she is lying . I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read funny and interesting fiction books about animals.