Meow Means Mischief [Hardcover]

Ann Whitehead Nagda (Author), Stephanie Roth (Author)

Book Description

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

A stray kitten turns out to be the perfect way to help Rana make friends in her new school and to feel more comfortable with her grandparents, who are visiting from India while her parents are away.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-In this beginning chapter book, Rana is worried about making friends at a new school and is self-conscious about her Indian-American heritage. She is also unhappy because her grandparents will be staying with her and her sister while their parents are away for a week. When a stray kitten arrives on the scene, her mother doesn't want to keep it, but Grandfather reminds her that in India even the poor feed stray animals because, "We believe that God comes in many disguises." While Rana's parents are away, the kitten causes all sorts of problems, which Rana writes about in her school journal. After she reads an excerpt aloud in class, several schoolmates show up at her house to show her how to clean up hairballs, scare Tiger off the kitchen counter, and solve her other feline-related problems. In the process, Rana makes new friends and builds a better relationship with her grandparents. The way a stray animal is able to help the main character work through problems is reminiscent of Kate DiCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie (Candlewick, 2000), but this story is lighter, simpler, and for a slightly younger audience. The references to Indian culture are seamlessly worked into the plot. Gray wash illustrations throughout capture typical school activities and reflect the diversity of the characters.
Jean Gaffney, Dayton and Montgomery County Public Library, Miamisburg, OH
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-5. This companion to Dear Whiskers (2000) focuses on Rana and her family, who have just moved to town and are still getting settled. Mom and Dad have planned a trip, and Dad's parents are coming from India to baby-sit. Rana dislikes her grandmother's foreign ways and spicy cooking, and her newly adopted kitten with a penchant for pouncing on countertops and licking food doesn't improve their relationship. Finally, friends from school (including Jenny from the first book) give Rana advice on training her pet, and Grandma's appreciation helps to heal the rift. Nagda clearly understands the problems and concerns of middle-grade children, and her situations and upbeat solutions ring true. Young readers will enjoy the humor, especially the image of a sari-clad Grandma packing a water pistol to keep Rana's kitten in line. A secondary theme, involving Rana's feelings about being biracial, is also well handled, and Nagda wisely keeps it from dominating the story. A solid choice for beginning chapter-book readers or as a primary-grade read aloud. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 92 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1st edition (October 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823417867
• ISBN-13: 978-0823417865
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #815,277 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A great book!, November 24, 2010

By 

Tosa Green Neighbor - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meow Means Mischief (Mass Market Paperback)

I like this book because it is about a girl who is having trouble in school and she gets friends because of her cat. Her grandmother changes throughout the story because she didn't like the cat in the beginning and liked it at the end. I recommend this book to other kids who are around 8 years old.
Antonia

4.0 out of 5 stars Kittens help make friends, May 11, 2010

By 

Linda Austin "Moonbridge" (USA Midwest) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meow Means Mischief (Hardcover)

Shy Rana has just moved to a new town and feels different from her white classmates. A stray kitten brightens her life but is way too mischievous. Rana's grandparents visit from India to look after Rana and little sister Tara while their parents go on a trip. Rana's "wrong grandma" arrives crabby from the long trip and is annoyed by the naughty kitten, but Tiger helps Rana make friends and find the "right" grandma. This elementary level chapter book combines an exasperating kitty protagonist with family relationships, the need to belong, and an introduction to Indian cooking. Cute story.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible book about a very mean grandmother, February 19, 2009

By 

Melodie's Corner - See all my reviews

This review is from: Meow Means Mischief (Hardcover)

This is a terrible book - my son had to read it for first grade- way too long for a 1st grader btw...the grandmother from India is a horrible person, she's rude, doesn't use manners, and is very mean to the main character. My son kept asking me why the grandmother was so mean. He was worried his own grandmothers would start being mean to him...I failed to see the point to this book- it was excruciating for me to get through, let alone my 1st grader.