Cat on the Run

Lynn Manuel, the author of Return to Cranberry Farm, writes mystery
novels for young adults.

The story begins with Shalom, a young Siamese with potential as a Grand
Champion show cat, deciding to spend a few hours exploring out-of-doors.
He soon finds himself lost in a menacing world where stray cats fight
over scraps of food and a man named Nasty Joe uses cats for target
practice at the garbage dump. But with the help of Subway Pete, a
street-wise cat, Shalom learns the art of survival in the Rosedale area
of Toronto, and ultimately learns that a cat doesn’t have to have a
fancy pedigree to be something special.

Guenther’s black-and-white illustrations complement the simplicity
and charm of the story. Smooth-flowing and informative, it contains
enough action to hold the interest of the intermediate student. On the
negative side, if cats are to be given human characteristics, the author
would have done well to avoid making the female cats so stereotypically
female. Miss Calico is “cute but she’s a real little fishbrain,”
and Timid Gray is described as Truckin’ Sam’s “little sweetie,”
while Simcha is “princess-like and aloof.” An enjoyable book,
nonetheless, for readers of any age.