Jenny and the Cat Club

Jenny and the Cat Club
Written & illustrated by Esther Averill

Genre: Fantasy
Interest Level: K-3
Reading Level: S
Where to find this book: Boston Public Library

Jenny Linsky is a shy cat who lives with Captain Tinker in New York City. Jenny was an orphan until the Captain rescued her one day from a dog who was chasing her in the street. Captain Tinker brought her home to live with him. He made a special red scarf. When Jenny wears the scarf, she feels courageous.

Jenny needs plenty of courage when she decides to join the Cat Club. The Cat Club is a group of city cats. Every cat in the club has a special talent. For example, Macaroni can dance on two feet, Concertina sings beautifully, and Solomon reads lots of books. Jenny has to demonstrate her special talent in order to be elected into the Cat Club. When Captain Tinker makes her a set of ice skates, Jenny discovers that she is a wonderful ice skater!

This book tells five different stories about Jenny. "The Cat Club" tells us how Jenny discovers her talent and joins the Cat Club. "Jenny's First Party" is about how Jenny attends a party with her two friends Florio and Pickles, the Fire Cat. When it is time to dance, Jenny is at first embarrassed because she doesn't know how to dance like the other cats. But with her red scarf on, Jenny finds the courage to dance in her own style.

"When Jenny Lost Her Scarf" is a story about when Jenny has her red scarf stolen by mean dogs. You should read this book to find out how Jenny gets her scarf back. "Jenny's Adopted Brothers" is about Jenny finds two cat orphans, Romulus and Remus, and asks Captain Tinker if he can help them to find a home. The final story is "How the Brothers Joined the Cat Club." This story is about how Romulus and Remus are voted into the Cat Club by performing their own special talents.

You would like this book if you love cats. You would also like this book if you are interested in New York City. I like this book because it shows us that each person has a special talent, even if they have not discovered it yet. Every person (and cat) is special in his or her own way. In a club, a school, or any community, we can appreciate and enjoy the talents of each person (or cat). That's one thing that Jenny and Cat Club teaches us!