Cheddar

Brenda Baltensperger is a playwright, a director of children’s
theatre, an editor of children’s fiction, and the author of Fractured
Fairy-tales.

Michael Stanton and his cat Cheddar have one thing in common: they’re
both hounded by bullies. Art Kincaid, or “Crunch” as he’s known
throughout J.J. Metcalf School, is Michael’s tormentor; Cheddar has to
cope with the local stray cat, who stalks and attacks him at every
opportunity.

Michael learns of a weakness underlying his opponent’s toughness and
uses it to defuse an otherwise impossible situation that could have
turned violent. Cheddar similarly finds a safe way of dealing with his
oppressive situation. Their respective solutions show young readers how,
with a little patience, violence can be avoided.

This easy-to-read little chapter book in the Mudcat Kids series is
ideal for young readers moving from picture books to novels. The
book’s theme—finding nonviolent ways to handle bullies—will be
especially important to children experiencing similar situations.
Recommended.