Stunt Cat to the Stars (Mr. Puffball #1)

Gr 4-6--Mr. Puffball is a medium-sized feline who knew he was different even when he was a mere kitten. After watching the old movie Cow-Cat & Aliens, which stars the world's greatest movie star, El Gato, he realizes his destiny--to be a Movie Star Actor. Readers follow Mr. Puffball on his cross-country trip to Hollywood where he ends up at Purramount Studios. Here he "catapults" himself into the next best thing to being a famous movie star: stunt cat to his movie star hero, El Gato, who turns out to be different from what Mr. Puffball expected. The text is accompanied by humorous black-and-white line drawings. Though the story line and design hint at a younger audience, the narrative is too long for the chapter book crowd. There are places where the pacing slows and many readers will lose interest. The scenes where El Gato pranks Mr. Puffball or loses his temper drag on a bit too long. Although the book ends with a good message, "it's not the whiskers that make the cat, it's what we do with them," it takes a committed reader to reach the end. VERDICT This title is best suited for middle grade readers who appreciate animal fantasies, stories about Hollywood trials and triumphs, and humorous cat drawings.--Paula Huddy, The Blake School-Highcroft Campus, Wayzata, MN

Mr. Puffball, a determined and optimistic cat from New Jersey, has his eyes set on stardom in this quirky, humorous debut. Although Mr. Puffball doesn't know much about showbiz, he is certain that his theatrical talent will land him a dream job in Hollywood. He journeys across the country, sending postcards to his mother and eventually settling in with a crew of friendly feline has-beens, whose coaching helps him land his first role ("I play a character named Extra," he explains excitedly). When Mr. Puffball meets his movie-star hero, El Gato, his life really begins to change. Cat-themed pop culture puns (The Sound of Meowsic, The Great Catsby, Catsablanca) permeate--or is that purrmeate?--the story, as do Lombardo's scraggly b&w cartoons, which are a big part of its unflagging energy and humor (Mr. Puffball looks a bit like a fame-seeking cousin to Nicole Rubel's Rotten Ralph). Emotions run high and dramatic moments are many, but Mr. Puffball's positive attitude and growing understanding that good friends are what matter most light up the pages. Ages 8-12. Agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words. (Sept.)