This is the second book in the Cats in the Mirror series.
Destiny is a tricky thing. By its very nature, it cannot be avoided. Hiro and Kimba thought they were free from the pull of their destiny and the scheming of the alien Cats in the Mirror. But when the family goes away on an extended vacation, the sisters find themselves right back in the middle of it all again. A week is an eternity for a cat left behind. Without Daddy's love and care, will Hiro be tempted to join her cat family and leave Earth behind? Will finding out who they really are change the sisters' lives forever?
Some cats are born on Earth and never know who they really are. Other are sent. They are undercover for their years on Earth. They know who they are. They know that they are not from Earth at all. And they are part of a bigger plan.
This middle grade book is perfect for for those who love cat books for kids or animal books for kids and are looking for chapter books.
Meg Dendler has considered herself a writer since she was honored in a picture book contest in 5th grade. Beginning serious work as a freelancer in the '90s while teaching elementary and middle school, Meg has over one hundred articles in print, including interviews with Kirk Douglas, Sylvester Stallone, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. She has won contests with her short stories and poetry, along with multiple awards for her best-selling Cats in the Mirror alien rescue cat children's book series. “Bianca: The Brave Frail and Delicate Princess” was honored as Best Juvenile Book of 2018 by the Oklahoma Writers' Federation, and "Snickerdoodle's Shenanigans" won that same honor in 2024. Now a retired teacher, Meg holds a BA in Journalism/Public Relations, an MA in Early Childhood Education, and has been teacher certified in three states. Meg is also an editor/proofreader for independent and self-publishing authors, with over 90 books completed since 2015.
Visit her at www.megdendler.com for more information about upcoming books and events and all of Meg's social media links.
Received as a GoodReads giveaway. Another great Cats in the Mirror adventure. I really like the relationships between the cats and their human family, and I appreciate all the photos. We get a better glimpse of the spaceship, history and lives of the "cats in the mirror" in this book, and I'm interested to see where it goes in future books. A family-friendly, entertaining book for cat lovers.
It was a pleasure to enjoy Vacation Hiro and I was pleasantly surprised to realize that I enjoyed Vacation Hiro even more than Why Kimba Saved the World. Perhaps it was because I really enjoyed the developed world that Meg Welch Dendler created on the spaceship for the cats from outer space, I think it helped me shape the image of Meg’s alien cat society in a way that wasn’t introduced in the first book. In Vacation Hiro our main character, Hiro, is thrown when the family packs up and leaves without returning that night… she misses her daddy and is worried how he will sleep without her curled up next to him. She is thrown into even more turmoil when she begins talking to the forbidden cats in the mirror in her parent’s bathroom and learns of her complicated background. She brings her sister Kimba into the exploration and mystery and encounters a whole new world. I enjoyed following the parents and children to their family trip and reading how there were cats monitoring the family movements so that the two kittens, Kimba and Hiro, had the opportunity to learn and understand why they were so important to the space cats. Quite a fun adventure to read. The book, Vacation Hiro, could be a stand alone title but the two go quite well hand in hand. There will be a third book coming along soon enough as well! I recommend this series! Here’s something I loved: Meg introduced a rule that the cat spaceship maintained for all cats on duty: four-hour shifts, can’t expect more than that, they need their rest to sustain energy! “Some cats,” Griffin added, “go back and forth for Earth-lives several times…” — made me think about cat’s situations…
Hiro and her sister Kimba thought that their ordeal with the cats in the mirror was over after they refused to help them take over the world (in book 1 of the series “Why Kimba Saved the World” cats from outer space try to recruit the kitty sisters in a plot to take over the world by talking to them through mirrors). When the sisters’ human parents go on vacation, Hiro makes the mistake of talking to the cats in the mirror again, but this time it’s different. The space cats reveal the sisters are not just ordinary cats and they have a destiny to fulfill. Hiro loves her human family but she is curious about who she really is and Kimba is ready to go on an adventure. The sisters find themselves having to make some big decisions about who and what they really are. In the second book of the Cat’s in the Mirror series, Ms. Dendler takes us back into the minds of our pet kitties. I bet a lot of people often think about what their pets are really thinking. Ms. Dendler brings the reader up to speed in this book, so you don’t have to read the first book to know what’s going on (but you should, because it’s a fun book). Vacation Hiro is a fun adventure about what two seemingly regular Earth cats really are. Who knew there is an advanced society of space cats?!? Ms. Dendler’s writing style is very kid-friendly and her story is great for kids of all ages. I think young advanced readers will especially enjoy the book. Vacation Hiro is a unique and imaginative story that gets the reader’s attention. I’m looking forward to reading what these kitty sisters do next! *NOTE I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Kimba and Hiro’s prrfect kitten adventure continues in Vacation Hiro, a charming, second novel in the Cats in the Mirror series.
When the sisters’ human family leaves for the beach on Spring Break, little do they know that the alien cats in the mirror they thought they were finished dealing with, would once again make their appearance. This time, it is Hiro they call out to and attempt to convince of her and Kimba’s royal destiny, while warning of the rebellion raging by those cats who desire change and may try to harm them.
It won’t be long before Hiro and Kimba’s beliefs and bravery are tested. When the cat mother they never thought they’d meet, arrives in the blink of an eye and offers them a trip that is out of this world, they must decide if it is a hoax, a trap, or the most amazing truth ever.
The story’s characters are adorably portrayed with the very real characteristics we cat lovers see daily, but brought to life with humanistic personalities that make this tale truly entertaining.
Vacation Hiro, by award-winning author Meg Welch Dendler, is another exciting fantasy book appropriate for middle grade youth, cat lovers, or animal lovers in general. This chapter book, perfect for school rooms and personal libraries, comes complete with added photos to personalize the experience.
Best of all, Vacation Hiro ends with a cliffhanger that’ll have you clawing for the next book!
When I finished reading and reviewing Why Kimba Saved the World, I couldn't imagine Meg Dendler surpassing that story or the personification of the animals in her first book in the Cats in the Mirror Series. I. Was. Wrong!
Once again, Dendler has developed the cats and one dog in her story to be exactly as we see them day-to-day, those of us who are cat and dog lovers. Personally, I own a black-and-white tuxedo girl, and with each page turn she leaps out at me as Hiro does this or that. Dendler possesses a talent for character development.
As before, Vacation Hiro does not lack for action, dialogue and enough suspense to keep any reader engaged. When I say "any reader," this is a book not just for the middle reader, but also for animal lovers, those who love to read about animals, grandparents and parents to read to those younger than middle readers, and anyone who loves a touch of fantasy.
Included in Vacation Hiro are illustrations (created by the author's daughter) and images of Hiro, Kimba and another cat character in the book. They add a great deal to the book's appeal.
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My Recommendation:
Need I say more? I highly recommend this book for the age group intended -- children's/middle grade science fiction fantasy. And all the other potential readers listed above. This book would make a great gift!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Picking up where Why Kimba Saved the World, the first in the Cats in the Mirror series, Hiro is confused and concerned when her family leaves for spring break, and there is no Daddy to curl up to sleep with at night.
The strangers in the mirror are now calling her, rather than her sister Kimba, and she knows that talking with them can only mean one thing and it’s never good. This time they have more information to share, giving both Hiro and Kimba plenty to think about .
Not lacking for action, the space cat theory is explained when they meet the mother they never knew, or thought they would know, and they have to decide if travels with their newfound mother are worth the chance of losing the family they have come to love.
Much better if you have read the first book, the secondary characters will make more sense, and the cleverness of the personalities of each of the cats will feel familiar and appropriate. Perfectly suited to the middle grade readers, this book also works for those who like cute cat-themed stories that could suit their furry companions.
I received an eBook copy from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
For anyone who would like a very unique children's book, this would be just that. The other reviews told Hiro's story, so my review will expand on the warm reception that it received from our grandchildren. This book was given to our three grandchildren and they range in ages from 2-1/2 to 10. Our oldest granddaughter usually reads to her brother who is six and her sister who is the youngest at almost 3 years old, and so all three of the children have really ended up enjoying this very unique story. Our grandchildren love cats, so this story about a kitty was just mesmerizing to the two youngest children. Ms. Dendler knows exactly how to write a story to please and give children something new to contemplate, giving the kids a chance to expand and use their imaginations while reading this book. Our daughter and her children and I are very pleased that there are such touching and fun stories for children written by such an amazing writer and also very happy that there is also a second book by Ms. Dendler just as engaging and this. That is great news!!!! Keep up the wonderful writing, Ms. Dendler; you have a following here in our family!!!
The Cats in the Mirror series is a very cute series about cats. I read the first book a while back and then during a freebie promotion on amazon picked up the second book, sadly this sat on my kindle until the author contacted me to review the third book in the series and I am sad that I waited so long to read it.
Vacation Hiro is about one of two kittens, book one really focused on Kimba while this book is about Hiro. Hiro is the shyer of the two kittens and loves her 'daddy', her human companion. In the book Hiro talks to the cat in the mirror and learns more about her and her sisters background.
The book is very cute. I love reading about the cats and the author did a wonderful job making the cats seem like cats as well as characters in this wonderful book and world. The cat characters outside of the house, or alien cats, are very interesting and the plot kept me engaged and even made me giggle at times. The author also includes pictures throughout of her real life cats who are the stars of the book - they are adorable.
If you are about to read this book and have yet to read Why Kimba Saved The World then stop reading this story and read the first book in the Cats In The Mirror Series. I did try to drag out the reading on this book because I knew the second I finished this book I would want to read the third book. But I learned the third book does not come out until September! September seems so far away. This is a wondrous series that will leave you wanting to grab your cat and cuddle up with them.
Since I read the first novel by Meg Dendler and loved the great cat story, “Why Kimba saved the world” I had to get the second book “Vacation Hiro”.
I wasn’t disappointed. I loved it as I loved the first book. Hiro, the black and white the sister of Kimba, the white cat, is just as lovable as Kimba was.
This was an excellent book, I couldn't put it down because I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I would recommend this book to any one who wants an excellent read. I look forward to reading more of this author's work.
I read this book in two sittings. I like how the author integrates real life with fiction by including pictures of her real life cats and family members.
One part family stories by a cat lover, one part Star Wars (I'm your father! Lol!), one part dark underworld. I can't wait to see what happens in book three!