Illustrated by Stephanie Roth
ISBN-13: 978-0-8234-2123-7
Jenny is a fourth grader who has to give away her cat, Munchkin, because her brother has asthma and cannot be around cats. A couple of her friends offer to take him, but Munchkin is too much for them. Jenny's teacher kindly offers to have Munchkin stay at the school for a few weeks, but he keeps getting into mischief in his new home. During the class' pet party on Valentine's Day, Munchkin refuses to cooperate! As a part of a writing assignment, Jenny writes an editorial for the classroom newspaper trying to convince the principal into letting Munchkin live at the school permanently.
This early chapter book is humorous and has a simple yet fun and detailed story line that will encourage reluctant readers to continue on to the next event in the story and will appeal to a young tween audience. The amusing black and white cartoon illustrations appeal to independent readers by helping to set the tone and provide a clear image for the reader to understand the personalities of the characters. The teacher, Mrs. Steele, is portrayed favorably as her lessons are developed around her students' needs and interests. She teaches a lesson about newspaper work, and the class writes editorial and news stories mainly about pets. Reading about their writing techniques should be relative to readers of this book, and provides a connection to real life experiences. The caring school librarian allows Jenny to place a Valentine box in the library for Munchkin, and he receives many sweet valentine messages. The surprise comes near the end when Munchkin catches some mice at the school! The principal and teachers decide to allow Munchkin to stay, and everyone values him as a school asset.
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