cover image CAT ON A HOTTIE'S TIN ROOF

CAT ON A HOTTIE'S TIN ROOF

Shelley Swanson Sateren, . . Delacorte, $12.95 (208pp) ISBN 978-0-385-73059-4

A hilarious, punny narrator ushers readers through a series of her misadventures in Sateren's (the Masterpieces: Artists and Their Works series) fun first novel. After her best friend moves to Paris, "brainiac" Cathy needs a new pal for sixth grade. At the supermarket, she meets trendy but kind Cassidy who nicknames her Cat, gives her a funky "whale-sprout up-do" and introduces her to the pop music of the Milo Lennox Band. Cat begins hiding her studious self, but when spoiled Shana, who also worships Milo, gets assigned to their class, Cat worries that Shana will steal her new friend away (and reveal her nerdy nature to Cassidy). Determined to stay included, she tries several money-making schemes to earn the $100 for a Milo concert ticket, from dog-walking (her business card reads: "Your dog's in good paws with Cat. A bow-wow bargain!") to pie-making. When those attempts fail, she promises to secure Shana an early-bird dance audition before Milo's show. The girls' band stakeout is a bit belabored and unbelievable, but Cat's feelings of jealousy, her need to feel included and her embarrassment over her book- and classical music–loving family come off as genuine. Cat's own growing appreciation of the Milo Lennox Band, and her discovery that Cassidy brings out "fun things I never even knew about myself!" make for a creative conclusion. Ages 8-12. (May)