Scaredy Cat by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein

Rating: Not for me

Reading Level: Late Elementary

Possible Concerns:

• Ghosts. A sneaky cat claims this to be a ghost story. A bit earlier he says, “I’m not exactly a ghost, but that’s a good way to think about me.” Spoiler alert! In the end, he really is a ghost–the spirit of a dead cat that doesn’t want to move on. Not really my style; I was hoping the answer to how the cat knew things and got into things was more creative.
• Potty Humor. A cat is named Poop (seriously!), and for good reason. There is much mention of poop, peeing pants, diarrhea, etc.
• Conservatives on gender identity may not like that a cat says, “I respect its choice to call itself whatever it chooses.”
• Animal abuse. The backstory ends up involving an emotionally abusive pet owner.
• Fortune telling. The evil ghost-like cat wears a turban and knows the other cats’ names. A cat says, “It was as if the crazed creature could read my mind. Maybe that’s why he wore a turban. H was one of those mind readers I’d seen inside the TV.”
• Bullying, especially misfits. A cat who is blind in on eye and has an odd tooth issue and speaking impediment was told by the bully, ,”You are a misfit and a freak. You are not a proper cat. You are an embarrassment to all cat-kind.” The word “freak” is used many times. The bully told her to run away from home, and that’s what the poor cat did.

I’m just not into ghost stories, and this one is not for me.