Serendipity and Me

by Judith L. Roth

Sara has always loved cats. She surrounds herself with pictures of cats, stuffed cats, even cat-headed slippers. But she’s never been allowed to have a real cat of her own. Her father has always told her no, for reasons he won’t explain.

So when a fluffy snowball of a kitten darts through their front door and into her life, Sara believes her dream might finally come true. But convincing her father to break his strict No Cats policy seems impossible. She has less than a week to persuade him that this kitten is exactly what their lonely, broken family of two needs to heal.

Told in lyrical, spare verse, Serendipity & Me is a sparkling novel that elegantly handles the topic of loss for a middle grade audience.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Poetry, Animals, Family, Fiction, Novel In Verse

320 pages, Hardcover

First published February 7, 2013

About the author

Judith L Roth has lived half of her life in a beach town in Southern California and the so-far second-half of her life in northern Indiana. She loves reading, traveling, kayaking, music, nature, and of course, cats. She's been a piano teacher, a youth minister, an editor, and an ASL interpreter—but before any of those occupations, she was a writer, and during those jobs she was a writer, and now she writes almost full-time. She is a mother to two wonderful young men, and a grandmother to two wonderful little girls. She lives on a river bank with her husband and three cats.

Reviews

[Jennifer Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not ashamed to admit it. But the time I got to the end of this story told in verse, I was a 28-year-old middle school English teacher curled up in bed with her own cat, crying.

Yes. This book made me cry real tears.

It tugged on every emotional heartstring I had, but it was WORTH it. This book, while a fast read, had so much packed into it. Sara wants to be Wendy in the school play, but gets sick. And the choice of Peter Pan for this book was perfect since Sara would be playing a motherly role, when she herself has no mother.

I don't want to give away too much, but suffice to say this book is well worth adding to any classroom library. I already have a list of students waiting to borrow it!

[Mr. Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come for the cats. Stay for the writing.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's about a girl, Sara, living a very lonely life with her father who cannot get over his wife's death. Sara can't get any answers about her mother so she finds comfort in a new kitty. But can she get her dad to let her keep it? The book is sad but does have some very happy and comforting elements: a loving neighbor, a loyal friend, a cute boy, and a fluffy white kitten. It has a touch of romance and a lot of emotion and a good ending. Great coming of age book for a girl, 5th grade and older. Best Part, written in verse! Quick and easy read!

[Grace Dodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a girl named Sara and she's wanted a cat for a long time but her dad wouldn't let her because her mom was in a car accident going to adopt a cat and h just couldn't bear the thought. This book was a book of poetry and it was definitely a tear jerker. I love how they wrote this book and how they used special words

[Riley]

Serendipity is a cat who needs a home, Sara is a girl who needs a friend. Together they have a great bond, except for one problem. Sara's dad is not afraid to break this duo's relationship. Read Serendipity And Me to find out if everything works out accordingly. I recommend this story to anyone who likes to read about adorable animals and sticky situations. In this book I really enjoyed how realistic it was. I found many connections that I could make to either my own or someone I know's life. This novel really pulled my attention to how lucky I am to have my family. And although the ending was quite predictable, I was still intrigued.
This book was great but my problem with it is the predictability. It was obvious Sara would keep Serendipity. Her dad would give in, the story wouldn't just end without Serendipity. If the story included more suspense, it would be ideal. There were many parts that I enjoyed, but one that caught my eye was when Sara's dad revealed that she could keep the cat, but there was a problem. Serendipity was lost outside, and was nowhere to be found. I really wanted to know what would happen if they couldn't find Serendipity. Would Sara choose a new cat to have? Or will Serendipity make her way home? This was definitely a “nerve-wracking” situation.
The format of the book, is really interesting. It's like a poem. I found it very unique. Something else I found very intriguing, is how they first introduced the characters. They were very believable. They face the same daily tasks and challenges as we do. Also, Sara does not not have a mother. When Sara was younger, her mother was in a tragic car accident. This book encouraged me to value the time I have with my family. I feel so bad for Sara, she wishes her dad would be more open to talk to her about her mother. Sara wants to remember her mom, as her Father on the other hand, just wants to keep quiet about her. It's a very sad event. I stepped into Sara's shoes, and realized how different and awful my life would be without my mom. I wouldn't like it at all.
Overall I would really recommend this book to anyone of my friends. It has a mixture of joyful, upsetting, and even frightening emotions. It's a great book, and portrays a great lesson as well. I realized that I am very lucky to have my family, as some people don't. It was an inspirational book, and I'd love to read more by this author.

*Spoiler Alert Warning*
Sara lies to her Father, she sneaks out of the house in desperate need to find Serendipity. She is punished for lying to her father, and for leaving the house without permission. Her Father gives himself a punishment too, but his is more of a present. I thought this was pretty funny, getting a cat is the best punishment I've ever heard of.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't cry when I read this book.
Just kidding, I was totally sniffing at the end. This is beautiful.

The first time I picked this book up was last year, but I realized it was a poetry book, and I immediately put it back on the shelf. Don't make this mistake. I decided to read it again this year when I realized my love for all things poetry and lyrical. I'm so glad I did, or else I would be missing out big time.

I loved the poetry format. Everything was written in a specific order and spacing, and I felt like this contributed to the sob factor.

His eyes are like the deep craggy holes
in broken trees

and they're pointed
right at me.

That isn't even a good example. But anyways, the writing is flawless. It's gorgeous and I love how the language used isn't even super complicated or anything: it's simple language for a simple story.

This book's story is actually really simple. We follow Sara, a cat lover who needs something to hold on to. Her mother died in a car accident, her father isn't ever really there, and to top it off, she got the flu and won't be able to play as Wendy in her school play. When she gets the flu, a little white kitten jumps into her life, and Sara must try and find a way to convince her dad to let her keep Serendipity.

Serendipity and Me is a coming-of-age, family story... aka, a freaking horrible tear-jerker. Horrible meaning "Serendipity and Me, why would you do this to me I can't stop crying." It's truly a sweet book, but poetry isn't for everyone. If you do enjoy reading poetry, I'd definitely recommend. Get your tissues ready.

[Rachel]

Sara loves cats and has always wanted one of her own. All she really wants is something to make her empty house happy again. Her father does not want a cat for unknown reasons but Sara thinks of a plan anyway. She wants to learn about her past and her mother. Sara's dad won't talk about anything from before her mother's death, in fact, he barely talks to Sara at all. Even though the kitten is new, it already feels likes Sara's family. Will she be able to convince her father to let her keep the cat, or will he give Serendipity away?
In the book a Serendipity and Me, the author wrote a book with both pros and cons. The plot of the book was interesting throughout the middle and end of the book, but in the beginning there were added details that were not important later on. Because this was a verse novel the book didn't flow as well as it would have in a regular format and looked and felt a little choppy. The personalities of the characters were very interesting and the characters interacted with each other well. This was one of the things that made the book good. The story was sad and heart warming at the same time. I give this book three out of five stars.

Roth, Judith L. Serendipity & Me. New York: Penguin Group, 2013. Print.

[Kat Kinch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admittedly, I bought this book because of the adorable kitten on the cover and the blurb about it being about a girl wanting to keep said kitten. Having been at the end of many a plan to keep cats, this story intrigued me.

From the first page, we are set into a world of prose. I inwardly groaned thinking of Ellen Hopkins long books of horrors that happen to teenagers but I was swept long into the story of Sara and a mischievous little kitten that appeared at her door one night while Sara recovering from the flu.

What I was not expecting was the raw, unparalleled emotion from Sarah and the writing itself. The fact it is poetry rings true from her upbringing, it makes sense to be written in poetry and not prose. There are at least three parallels in this story that while I recognized as a writer, weren't so obvious as to be obnoxious, they were just there, unassuming. It's smart writing. It made me cry because they hit home.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh, I read this book in one night!!!!!!!!!!! It was that good! I'm a sucker for Kittens so I grabbed this book base on the photo. I fanned through it later to find that it looked like poetry. Sometimes I get turned off in that kind of format but I decided to read it anyways. I was so surprised! It is not poetry but it also kind of is. So I guess it might be kind of a free verse poem or it's just a clever way to describe what is happening in snapshots. It is beautifully written and holds lots of emotions. This kitten helps bond this little girl and her grieving father back into a family. It is touching, light hearted and very realistic. It helps young readers understand the pains of grief and how a little pet can lighten everything up.

[madalyn ( polaroid books ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I have had it for 2 years and I read it every single year because this book is so good. This book is about a girl named Sara whose Mom has died. Now, she needs somebody to hold on to when times get rough. When a cute little white furball comes to her door, Sara instantly falls in love. She has to get her Dad to keep the adorable white kitten. Will she be able to keep it?

I really loved this book and I think everybody that has been through tough times and love cats should read this book. It will melt your heart.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was told in poems.

It's sort of sad...

In the first chapter we learn that her mom is dead and she wants a cat.

The ending is cute.

There is some... romance to it.

Serendipity and Me is an overall small book about dealing with loss. Personally, it wan't THAT great, but it was okay.

[Bobbi Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It had every component --- laughter, tears, and relatability. This book is proof that pets save us, just as much as we save them (and probably more). I am now a HUGE Judith Roth fan!

[MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried reading my first book of the month.. I'm sad

[Evangeline W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book. I really recommend this book. I love cats and it’s about a cat. And this girl wasn’t allowed to have a cat. She was sick and she was lonely. And one day there was a cat on her door step.

[Jessica Vallejos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet sweet novel in verse!! I’m an adult, and I LOVED this book. Such a cute m, but emotionally packed story about Sara, her father, and a little fur snowball named Serendipity. Put it on your class shelf, you won’t regret it.

[Kaijsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written children's book. (Ages 9 to 13?) Made me cry. Deals with some serious issues like death of a mother and school crushes and honesty and loneliness. I love how it is written all in free verse. My 10 yr-old (who is very well-read) said this was the very best book she has ever read and by far the most beautiful.

[Suhani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serendipity and Me is a coming-of-age story of a young girl, learning to cope with her loneliness and growing up without the support of a still-grieving father from the loss of his wife.

This story revolves around a young girl named Sara, whose mother died several years ago. She loves cats, and is surrounded by pictures of them in her room. She has longed for a cat “forever”, so that her house wouldn’t be empty anymore. Her father has always said no to the kittens, as though it brings back a bad memory.

One day, a kitten shows up at the front door. Sara instantly falls in love with it, and names her Serendipity. She tries to convince her dad to keep the kitten, but he says no. Sara didn’t just try to keep the kitten, but she also tries to figure out why her father always says no to kittens.

Sara acts like a mother to the kitten. Sara was supposed to play a mothering role in a school play but misses it, because she falls sick.

This book is a tear-jerker. It makes you think about your own life, and what you think is missing from it. It also makes you feel grateful for what you have.

I think this book would be good for 5th graders and up.

[Delta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sara really likes cats and she has always wanted one since she was little, and she is so obsessed that she has cat pictures,cat stuffed animals, and ext. Her dad has always told her no with no explanation, and always tells her she is fine with the cats she has.(stuffed animals and pictures) Then one day her life was changed a kitten flew through their front door,that's when Sara had finally thought her dreams had come true! But there is one thing she has to do and that is... to try and have her dad break is strict rule of no cats allowed. She has less then a week to complete her goal which is break the strict rule of no cats, that's nearly impossible but she thinks she can do it! The week is getting closer to being over and she still hasn't asked her dad, because she is to touched by the cat and scared to ask her father in case he says no she doesn't want it to leave. She finally asks her dad and his final response is... that's when Sara started to...

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

AWW MEOW

[Julia Gutowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, this book I read "Serendipity and Me" by Judith L. Roth was a very good book with lots of description and it just tied readers in. I really liked the whole story behind the book because it was about cats and I really like them so I was already connected with the book. There was some drama and some sad events, so the book really mixed with your emotions. It was very descriptive in the way the cat looked, and where the setting was, and how each character acted and what they looked like. I would give this book a high rating, because I believe it had everything a good story should have. A good title, opening, and a great climax. So, overall I really enjoyed this book and I hope you will too.

[Tatiana Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Serendipity & Me is about a girl named Sara lost her mom in an accident. After the accident Sara's dad has made their house become a sad and lonely. Let me tell you a little about Sara she loves cats and but she doesn't have one. Weird? Right. For some reason her dad won't get her one and doesn't want to talk about why. One day a white cat stumbles in. Sara wants to keep the kitty but her dad is stubborn and wont budge. Sara is up to the mission to try to convince her dad that what they need in the house is a cat. Will she convince her dad to keep the cat? Or will the cat go to the the pound? You have to read it to find out

[Sonia Schoenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 10-year-old niece recommended this book to me and I loved it.

The story is pretty simple: a girl wants a cat but her dad won't let her have one. Complicating factors: girl's mom died 5 years ago and Dad can't parent through his grief. Plus there's a bit of romance.

What made this special to me is that the entire book is written in verse. Beautifully written. I've never read a novel in verse and I am captivated by the genre. In just a few words, entire scenes are created and deep emotions are conveyed. That's poetry for you.

Highly recommended.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohmigosh, I LOVED this book! I have to admit, I kinda-sorta pre-judged the cover. I mean, it seems kind of silly. A book about a girl trying to convince her dad to let her have a cat? But I totally shouldn't have. There was so much more to the plot than that. Plus, it was written in poetry, which is always refreshing. I need to read more books like that. And can we just talk about Sara's crush, Garrett? *sigh* FIVE stars!

- Emily @ forthebookish.com

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute enough, but a little cliched and a little awkward. For example, the girl is in 6th grade, with only one parent, and she doesn't know how to do laundry yet? And I am so tired of parents who won't talk about the dead one with the child. Yes, dad, you're grieving, but that's no excuse to shut your also grieving daughter out of your heart. Get therapy if you need it. This family prays so I would think they could ask their pastor/minister for help.

[Dasiy Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly thought this is one of the best books I ever read. I love the way it was formatted, each chapter like a poem. This book tells a story of a grieving father struggling to get over the past and raise his child at the same time. The story is told from Sarah's point of view, and I feel that in the end, this book comes together and forms a beautiful ending.

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart-warming and moving novel in verse about a young girl's attempt to convince her dad to let her have a cat. In the process, she uncovers painful truths about their relationship and the family that isn't any more. Compassionate and sensitively written, this novel makes the topic of loss and grief accessible to middle grade readers.

[Jill Hendrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this touching middle-grade verse novel, Sara's campaign to convince her dad to let her adopt an abandoned kitten acts to bring the two together to finally begin to heal from the grief of her mother's death several years before.

[Molly Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I personally LOVE this book! Even though it had many sad moments that made me cry, Sara finally learned why she couldn't have a cat. Because her mom loved cats. But her father learned his lesson and let Sara keep Serendipity!

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book multiple times and yes it is sad, but when you overlook the sadness it is a great book. If you truly love cats you would see that the book isn't about the sadness within Sara's life. It is truly about how Serendipity cheers up Sara's life and the relationship between them.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super sad, sweet and touching book-in-verse about a young girl whose mother has died tragically, her father has retreated mentally and physically and she is alone until an adorable kitten enters their world and opens them to memories and love again...