Hate That Cat

A college professor once told one of my classes that just holding a book could somehow impress on the holder the book's content. (Out of context this seems silly, but was very wise within context.) This time I must disagree with that dear professor. Holding "Hate That Cat" with its ugly red cover, then opening it and looking at the poetic forms inside made me snap it closed, put it back on the shelf, and huff: Why would I want to read a novel written in poetic form? Mercy me, sometimes I can be so silly. "Hate That Cat" is one of the most touching, endearing, delightful, clever, entertaining, instructive books I've ever read. Written in poetic form based on the poems his teacher presents, the book outlines the thinking and writing processes of Jack, one young boy, not any boy, but a very bright, creative boy, one you would want as your student (if a teacher) or your child (if a parent). I was totally captivated by the character, the style of the book, the themes conveyed--not just one, but several, and left tear stains on the last 20 pages or so. This in a 148-page book. Here's one example of what I mean. Miss Stretchberry introduced the poem by William Carlos Williams (one of my favorites, BTW) entitled "The Red Wheelbarrow." so much depends upon a red wheel barrow glazed with rain water beside the white chickens. So here's what he writes to Miss Stretchberry: "The wheelbarrow poem again? Did you forget we read it last year? Okay, here's one: so much depends upon a creeping cat crouched in the tree beside the yellow bus stop." Then he tells Miss Stretchberry that she will probably ask why (this is his journal) so much depends on that cat. He anticipates this question by writing: "Remember: the wheelbarrow guy didn't say why so much depended upon the red wheelbarrow and those white chicky chickens." Dear Reader, I began laughing at this boy's cheekiness and his creativity, almost forgetting who the actual creator was--Sharon Creech. As clever manipulator of language, especially language based on poetry lessons and life lessons, Ms Creech is simply divine in reaching way down deep inside a person to pull out one's sensitivity, humanity, compassion, care, and concern. You see, this boy's mother is deaf and must sign to communicate. This boy does also and imagines not only his own responses to the poetry his teacher presents, but how to relay these responses to his mother so she will "know" how words sound, especially when using assonance and consonance and alliteration and onomatopoeia and the like. In the back are the words to all the poems used in the book: "Love That Boy" by Walter Dean Myers, "Bells" by Poe, "kitten" by Valerie Worth, "The Eagle" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, "Black Cat" by Christopher Myers, "The Naming of Cats" by T.S. Eliot, and three more WCW poems. With each one Jack writes his own version--sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always creative and entertaining! This novel is the sequel to Love That Dog (don't te

I am a high school English teacher and very much enjoyed Creech's Hate That Cat, which followed Love That Dog. She has a lovely voice and will draw you into the story through Jack. I received this book as a gift (from another English teacher!) and have since given to a student because I enjoyed it so much.

This author uses the vehicle of a very young poet writing poetry for class assignments as a way to explore serious life events in a touching and often humorous way. This book made me laugh out loud and cry as well, all in very few words. This isn't a book for those who hate cats, but for whoever loves life and hope and poetry. Although it is sold as a children's book, it probably takes an adult to fully appreciate it. I would recommend reading "Love That Dog" first. Love That Dog Both are just superlative.

Follow up to her other book "Love that dog" No matter what Sharon Creech writes it is great. The style for these two books is also good for reluctant readers or when you want quality in small doses. Almost makes you want to write something on your own just to work out a problem or two.

I love that book like my grandpa loves pie I said I love that book like my grandpa loves pie Love to eat it in one sitting Love to eat it lean back, sigh.