|
|
|
Reviewed by a.fortis (Sarah Stevenson), ReadingYA: Readers' Rants
Kat & Mouse: Teacher Torture by Alex de Campi, illustrated by Federica Manfredi
Kat Foster is a fish out of water. After being so excited to move from boring old Iowa to a new, prestigious private school
in New Hampshire, she's had a really disappointing first day at school. The kids make fun of her for being the daughter of
the new seventh-grade science teacher. When she tries to be friendly, they snub her.
But there are exceptions. Nick, who's sort of a popular jock, is nice to everyone, including her. And then there's the
self-proclaimed "Cool Nerd" Mouse Huang, who defends Kat against the snobby Chloe and Mimi, and educates her on the social
structure of her new school. But when somebody breaks into the science lab after school and steals all the microscopes,
Kat's dad's job is on the line.
Kat & Mouse: Teacher Torture by Alex de Campi is the first book in a promising manga-influenced mystery series for
middle-grade readers and older children. Kat's relationship with her parents is turbulent but loving; they're happy one
moment, arguing the next, but they pull together during the crisis. Her developing friendship with Mouse is also endearing,
as the two new girls prove they don't need the approval of the popular kids to be happy at school or to solve the mystery
of the missing microscopes.
Visually, the book is nicely structured, with well-rendered artwork by Federica Manfredi and an appealing variety in
layout. In particular, the characters' facial expressions are very well drawn and lend a lot of depth to the rather
fast-paced action of the story. And certainly it's a fun, fast read rather than a deep or complex one; the sense of threat
is tempered with sweetness and humor, and the themes of friendship and family bonds are emphasized just as much as the
mystery plot.
Still, mystery lovers will find a treat at the end of the book in the form of a Bonus Lab Experiment they can try at home,
as well as blurbs about two smart, successful real-life women who are Kat and Mouse's heroes. These extras make it a good
candidate for a school library pick or a classroom title. It might prove too cute for YA readers, but it's perfect for an
8-to-11-year-old audience.
Kat & Mouse, by Alex de Campi. Illustrations by Federica Manfredi. TokyoPop, 2006. ISBN: 1-5981-6548-8.
|
| |
|
|