by Tova R. Cladouhos (Author), Stephanie Anderson (Illustrator)
"Nine Lives of Milo the Cat" combines both adventure and survival. Not sure who came up with the notion that a cat might have nine lives, but Milo does! When Milo was first seen on the farm he was in bad shape. Alice, a ten-year-old "city girl" from Alaska, visits her grandparents' farm in Idaho one summer with her brother, Aiden, age twelve. Alice first saves the sick cat from being "put down," then takes on the responsibility of its medical care and training over the summer. The often repeated notion that a "cat has nine lives" may be related to their uncanny ability to always "land on their feet." This was the case for Milo. His independent streak likely was the reason he left the comfort of the barn and a family who cared a lot about him. When he leaves the barn the plot thickens as he becomes the target of many predators. He is all alone in a hostile environment but finds food, water and shelter in order to survive. A Border Collie named Molly aides in his safe return to the barn. It is a wonderful story of courage and hope for all young readers.