Libra: The Cat Who Saved Silicon Valley [Paperback]

Lincoln Taiz (Author), Lee Taiz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 2002

The book comes with a 25-song CD called "Libra." The songs are inspired by the book with almost one song per chapter.

In this charming book, a space cat from the planet Gatos meets terrestrial cats and learns, to her horror, that not they but weird furless aliens are Earth's dominant species. Or are they? Who better than cats to go nose to nose with Silicon Valley's evil Dogma Computers?

Editorial Reviews

Review

A story as playful and clever as felines themselves. Blessings to Libra Shimagrimicka and her creators: Leap far, land softly! -- Meg Files, author of Meridian 144 and Home Is the Hunter

Smart computers, smarter cats, and a healthy dose of learning languages make this book nab the sci-fi reader. -- Donna Jo Napoli, author of The Magic Circle, Song of the Magdalene, Stones in Water..

About the Author

This is a first novel by Lincoln and Lee Taiz. Lincoln Taiz is a professor of plant biology at U.C. Santa Cruz, and is the co-author of the standard textbook in his field. Lee Taiz is an artist/illustrator and writer.

Amanda Shelby is a rising young singing star who came out with her first album, "come Play With Me," at the age of thirteen. Her many credits include the singles "Enjoy Bein' a Kid," "Too Easy," "Clearwater Swimmin' Hole" and "America Is Our Home." Her current album to be released January 29, 2003 is "America Is Our Home." She is currently recording a pop album to be released with a music video this summer on Rufftown Group Entertainment, LLC through Rykodisc and WEA Distribution.

Product Details

• Paperback: 326 pages
• Publisher: Amsea Group Publishing, Inc. (December 15, 2002)
• ISBN-10: 0972304401
• ISBN-13: 978-0972304405
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,696,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful childs/young adult science fiction novel, February 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Libra: The Cat Who Saved Silicon Valley (Paperback)

A wonderful child's/young adult science fiction novel that even adults will enjoy.

Libra: The Cat Who Saved Silicon Valley
by Lincoln Taiz, Lee Taiz
Paperback: 326 pages
Publisher: Amsea Group Publishing, Inc.; (December 15, 2002)
ISBN: 0972304401

Libra The Cat Who Saved Silicon Valley is not your ordinary young adult book, nor is it your ordinary science fiction book, nor is it your ordinary learning book, but with a combination of them all, this book is a one of a kind read that will keep the reader interested long after the book is finished.

It is the story of a cat from the planet Gatos (gato is the Spanish word for cat) meets alien cats and tries to figure out who or what they are. Their adventure leads them to a "battle" with Silicon Valley Computers.
Ultimately, Libra goes back to Gatos but her adventure on Earth will never be forgotten, nor will the friendships she made.

The book is a twist of learning and play on words that children can understand and adults will enjoy. The sci-fi fan will love the language, information, and adventures in this story and the young reader will learn more about reading and language than they expected.

The book comes with a CD of music featuring Amanda Shelby. The 25 songs are fun to sing and listen to. And it is an added bonus that makes this book a real deal.

Before writing this review, I had my 5th grade son also read the book. He loved it. He enjoyed the play on words and the story line. He has since taken the book to school and has shared it with his friends. It is truly a book for all ages.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a very clever cat sci-fi fantasy, October 13, 2004

By 

Grandpa Mark "Mark" (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Libra: The Cat Who Saved Silicon Valley (Paperback)

I bought Libra for my six-year-old grandson. I thought I'd read a few pages. Well, I read the whole book! I was very surprised to see that the story unfolds beautifully and logically for us adult readers as well as creating an adventurous children's tale.

The 25-song CD enclosed with the book tells the story in song form. It is very good. My grandson plays it frequently.

If you have a child in your life, this book will bring you both closer together. I read a chapter for my grandson every day after school. It's our quality time together.
Grampa Mark

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love that liberated kitty!, July 16, 2004

By 

M. W. Silk (Davis, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Libra: The Cat Who Saved Silicon Valley (Paperback)

Love that liberated kitty! This is a tail firmly arch. I had to wait six weeks to get my copy of Libra from Amazon.com, but it was well worth the wait. Now I have ordered four more for birthday presents for cat lovers and sci fi buffs. What a great yarn-- Californian to the core, with delicious musings on redwoods and sushi. And for those who like an undercurrent of intellectual challenge with their froth, there are heartfelt subtexts on nonconformity, eccentricity, and the role of science in society.