Trapped [Hardcover]

Peg Kehret (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

When a pig falls from a truck and the driver doesn't stop, Alex saves the frightened animal and gets permission to keep it. Then the belligerent truck driver shows up at Alex's doorstep, determined to reclaim the pig. Alex's parents turn him away, but Alex worries that he'll be back. In the man's truck, Pete the Cat finds evidence that "Hogman" is involved in illegal trapping, but, as usual, Alex and the other humans don't pay any attention to him. The danger grows when Hogman kidnaps Pete. Trapped is another thrilling story from a favorite mystery writer and her humorous cat.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7–Alex Kendrill and his friend Rocky are exploring in the woods when they discover an illegal animal trap. Shortly thereafter, Alex witnesses a pig falling off the back of a truck driven by a reckless driver, and he and his friends and family rescue it. When its owner shows up to claim it, the Kendrills refuse to release it. When Hogman again attempts to reclaim the animal, he kidnaps Alex's cat, Pete. His family then sets out to locate the feline and prove that the man is involved in illegal trapping. Kehret has a unique writing style, and the text includes long stretches of story narrated by Pete. Some of these scenes are deliciously snarky, with the cat looking up words in the dictionary that start with the letters c-a-t and giving a detailed description of coughing up furballs. The technique is also effective when he describes what happens to him during his kidnapping. Animal lovers will get a kick out of this intriguing mystery.–Kristen Oravec, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Strongsville, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Punctuated by italicized interjections from a feline coauthor, who inserts himself into the tale as a major character, this uncomplicated animal-rescue adventure opens with the discovery of an illegal game trap and closes with an arrest. In between, young Alex--with friends, family, and, of course, his pet--faces off against Hogman, a scruffy, abusive ne'er-do-well with a gun. Having helped rescue workers save a pig that falls from Hogman's recklessly driven truck, Alex suspects the tough-talking hermit of setting traps, but it's the cat who finds the evidence--and who is nearly shot in the suspenseful climax. Despite major holes in the story's internal logic, young fans of Spy Cat (2002) and Stranger Next Door (2001) will enjoy watching the cat expedite Hogman's apprehension while grousing that his human associates are too dim to realize that he's trying to communicate with them. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1 edition (October 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525477284
• ISBN-13: 978-0525477280
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,675,889 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:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping story for all animal lovers., March 8, 2007

By 

Diana Sigalla (Bellevue, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Trapped (Hardcover)

Pete, the cat, has helped to write another good story. This time he helps a pig in trouble. Pete understands what his humans are saying but is not pleased that they never seem to listen to him. If you like a well-written story, this one's for you.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Suspense for a developing Mystery Fan, January 7, 2009

By 

Jackie Foster "a mystery lover" (Scottsdale, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Trapped! (Pete the Cat) (Mass Market Paperback)

We had to find a Mystery book for my 4th grader's book report and we discovered Pete! He is the main character of a series of books by Peg Kehret, and he is a cat with attitude! As the story is told, it is punctuated with Pete's personal views and comments which had my daughter laughing and running to us to read her favorite parts aloud! She loved this book and we have bought more in the series! Pete will appeal to girls and boys!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My son loved it!, August 1, 2011

By 

Dennis L. Turner (Odessa, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Trapped! (Pete the Cat) (Mass Market Paperback)

I bought my son a Pete the Cat book at a local bookstore. It was such fun that he wanted more. I immediately ordered the others here. We both enjoyed reading the book. He likes me to read him a chapter or two at bedtime each night even though at 8 he is an excellent reader on his own. Pete the detective cat is great fun. I hope there are more of this series in the works.