April 1st, 2012 by Amulet Books
Oona and her brother Fred aren't thrilled about their beloved cat Zook (Zucchini) being kept at the vet after an illness. They decide to take matters into their own hands and break the cat out of kitty jail. In order to convince Fred that Zook will get better, Oona tells some pretty tall tales about the previous lives of Zook. Zook has been a Royal Cat among princes and princesses, and a Ghost Cat living with a wretched old woman. Each story reflects Oona and her brother's Fred lives as they try to accept their father's death two years prior and their mother struggles to move on. As Oona and Fred fantasize about Zook's previous existences, Oona wrestles with the real-life events that led Zook to live with them.
I am still smiling months after reading this book! I love the dynamic characters, especially Oona, and the way Oona puts her own little spin on everyone. Her mom's new potential boyfriend is "villain" not Dylan, for example, and she has such an analytical and inquisitive mind. She is more than just creative, I would venture to say that she is one smart cookie (that is a real scientific term), and her use of rebus's to engage her brother are quite genius. She is more than likable, and when the tender moments come along with Zook and even her mother, I proudly bawled like a baby!
