Ghost Cats

I picked up this book largely because of the cover--and I liked the idea of a cat ghost. The ghost cats don't show up until the very end of the novel. Still... I loved it. What a wonderful young narrator. And I disagree with the other reviewer. I didn't think it was sad. Just very real... about a difficult time in a young person's life.

Don't let the title fool you - this is less a ghost story and more an examination of how a family can change as the children grow, as seen through the eyes of the eldest boy, 11 year old Peter. The cats (both alive and ghosts) are used as symbols of the change in the family. Peter, the narrator, lives in a family where his father's job makes the family move to different countries almost every year. Peter enjoys the constant change and thrives on being the eldest child - often in charge. But when the family finally stops globe-hopping by settling down in Boston, the changes that occur to the family are not changes that set well with Peter and suddenly, change becomes his enemy.Reader, beware - this is not a happy book (although the end can be viewed as a ray of hope). However, Susan Shreve paints a wondrous picture of Peter's life and the conflicts that are roiling about inside of him. This book is a fantastic departure from the standard conflict of "here's your good guy...here's your bad guy" that children are so often force-fed. Most advanced young readers will likely find this book perfectly to their liking. I suspect adults (especially ones with kids) will also enjoy this book and view it on a completely separate level from younger readers as they imagine routes that their family may take as their children grow.Overall, this is a truly excellent book. Highly recommended.-Likely to make you cry: yes -Likely to make you laugh: possibly - especially if you remember your childhood. -Reading Level: Advanced youth to adult -Reviewer's Favorite Authors (so you can compare to your favorite for possible interest connections): John Irving, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Charles Dickens, Kurt Vonnegut, J.D. Salinger