When Rachet arrives in Roxville, she is barely more than a kitten. Wary of humans but instinctively understanding the ways of cats, she soon establishes herself in the community of feral cats that inhabit the area around a crumbling train station. As Rachet battles for a place in the cat hierarchy and tries to avoid becoming dinner for larger predators, she continually crosses paths with Mike, a local boy who longs for a pet of his own and who is especially enamored of Rachet. Black-and-white illustrations.
Topics Abused animals. Cats. Cat behavior. Cat social structures. Orphans. Wanting a pet. Communication. Foxes. Raccoons. Predator and prey. Monarch butterflies. Snakes. Survival mechanisms. Mosquitoes. Owls. Feeding feral animals. Dogs. Fights. Marking territory. Snow. Blizzards. Giving birth. Kittens. Exterminators. Fumigation. Cicadas. Poison. Taking in stray animals. Earning money. Learning to hunt. Domestication. Naturalists. Being trapped. Rescues. Death. Finding a home.
SRC Level 5.500000
SRC Points 9.000000
Lexile 840L
Trim Size 5 1/2" x 7 1/2"
JLG Span Spring
Language English
Publication date 2009-04-30
JLG Release Date Aug 2009
Minimum grade 3
Maximum grade 5
Reading level Elementary
Format Print
Upper Elementary Fiction Plus (Grades 3-5)
Upper Elementary Fiction Plus
Upper Elementary Fiction Plus (Grades 3-5)
For Grades 3-5
A collection of longer-format novels for readers ready to move beyond chapter books. These stories emphasize fun while beginning to explore deeper themes. With engaging plots and relatable characters, this category helps keep readers excited as they take the next step into longer, more immersive stories.