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Sometimes life is hard, Chris is going to third grade and feels a bit ‘babyish’ He has to use all the same stuff from last year which is embarrassing, he has to listen to his neighbor brag about her new high class school and he desperately wants a kitten. After his first day of school his mom takes him to a doctor appointment, which really turns out to be an appointment at an animal shelter where he gets to take home his own kitten! With a mischievous kitten in his life, there a whole lot of new trouble for Chris, and he learns how to handle all his problems, including his snobby neighbor.

The book has great pacing and is easy to read for young children. It’s not a very good timeless story though, if I were to give this to a third grader now I would have to explain what varnish is, and a reader as well as why a dollar can buy a lot in the book but not now. Aside from that it’s a well written story all about growing up another year and the changes that a cat can bring. ( )

perfect for third graders. Easy to read and engaging story. Events happen that the reader can relate to. ( )

Chris worries about fitting in at school without money to even buy a new lunchbox, but things start to look up as new money comes in and he finally gets a pet cat. At school things are complicated- his best friend, Peter, just got moved to the more advanced reading group, and, in his anger, Chris finds new popularity by teasing Peter. His cat keeps getting in trouble and messing up things for the photo shoot, and Chris worries that he'll have to give up the cat and lose Peter's friendship. He resolves things with Peter and his parents tell him that his cat is staying and Chris feels a lot better. ( )