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Catcall
JOSH'S FAMILY IS used to changes-but now they are hurtling into even more. Although Josh has always had an affinity with animals, it's his younger brother Jamie who falls under theall-pervading wild cat spell."Leo" seems to have taken over Jamie's life. He eats when and what he wants, speaks only when he needs to. Soon it becomes impossible for thefamily to cope with his frightening, unpredictable behavior. Only Josh understands his brother's moods, but is he brave enough to break through Jamie's unhappy mask, and save themall? "From the Hardcover edition."
192 pages, Hardcover
First published October 19, 2006
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About the author
Linda Newbery
85 books53 followersLinda Newbery's latest novel for adults is THE ONE TRUE THING. She has published widely for readers of all ages, and is a Costa Prize category winner with SET IN STONE, a young adult Victorian mystery. She has twice been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, with THE SHELL HOUSE and SISTERLAND.
With friends Adele Geras and Celia Rees, Linda hosts the literary blog WRITERS REVIEW, which features reviews, recommendations, interviews with authors and insights from booksellers.
Linda is an active campaigner on animal and environmental issues and has published a guide to compassionate living: THIS BOOK IS CRUELTY FREE - ANIMALS AND US.
She lives in rural Oxfordshire.
With friends Adele Geras and Celia Rees, Linda hosts the literary blog WRITERS REVIEW, which features reviews, recommendations, interviews with authors and insights from booksellers.
Linda is an active campaigner on animal and environmental issues and has published a guide to compassionate living: THIS BOOK IS CRUELTY FREE - ANIMALS AND US.
She lives in rural Oxfordshire.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 8, 2012
I've been on a Linda Newbery kick recently, and have come to a bit of a conclusion. I think I mark her quite severely when I review her, and I think that's for one reason. Because sometimes when people are really good, and they make you think twice about the written word and how things come together, they need to be marked on a slightly different scale because that's where they are. So when I tell you that this has got five stars, it's really, really got five stars. Hard-earned, hard won. And it's a sort of five stars that, to be honest, I wouldn't give to that many other books.
In Catcall, Josh and his younger brother Jamie are part of a family that is experiencing many changes. Their parents have separated, their mother and her new partner have just had a baby girl, and their father is making home with his new partner, and her teenage son. It is a family in flux, and it is a flux that is not due to settle down any time soon.
One day, Josh and Jamie are taken to Cotswold Wildlife Park and it's there that they meet the lion. It's a meeting that sticks with them both and changes things forever. Soon Jamie isn't talking, and then when he does start talking, he's adopted the identity of 'Leo'. It's up to Josh to figure out what's going on and bring his little brother back.
This is a quietly intense book, as many of Newbery's seem to be, and it deals with matters of family, of identity and finding your place in the world. It's a deeply astute and full of a sort of chillingly precise yet incredibly sympathetic psychological analysis. Catcall is the portrait of two boys, and their family, trying to figure out how things work now. And it's in the portrayal of the two boys, Jamie in particular, that Catcall impresses. The lion affects Jamie in a more obvious manner but Josh is struggling too - and it's through saving Jamie that Josh is able to save himself.
Sometimes when a book punches out of the page at you, it's churlish - foolish - to try and ignore it. Catcall is one of those books that makes you want to go up to a stranger int the street, wave it in their face and go, "LOOK, LOOK, CHILDREN'S LITERATURE IS DOING MASSIVE THINGS AND YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO IT."
In Catcall, Josh and his younger brother Jamie are part of a family that is experiencing many changes. Their parents have separated, their mother and her new partner have just had a baby girl, and their father is making home with his new partner, and her teenage son. It is a family in flux, and it is a flux that is not due to settle down any time soon.
One day, Josh and Jamie are taken to Cotswold Wildlife Park and it's there that they meet the lion. It's a meeting that sticks with them both and changes things forever. Soon Jamie isn't talking, and then when he does start talking, he's adopted the identity of 'Leo'. It's up to Josh to figure out what's going on and bring his little brother back.
This is a quietly intense book, as many of Newbery's seem to be, and it deals with matters of family, of identity and finding your place in the world. It's a deeply astute and full of a sort of chillingly precise yet incredibly sympathetic psychological analysis. Catcall is the portrait of two boys, and their family, trying to figure out how things work now. And it's in the portrayal of the two boys, Jamie in particular, that Catcall impresses. The lion affects Jamie in a more obvious manner but Josh is struggling too - and it's through saving Jamie that Josh is able to save himself.
Sometimes when a book punches out of the page at you, it's churlish - foolish - to try and ignore it. Catcall is one of those books that makes you want to go up to a stranger int the street, wave it in their face and go, "LOOK, LOOK, CHILDREN'S LITERATURE IS DOING MASSIVE THINGS AND YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO IT."
October 12, 2018
Newbury's writing style is accessible and yet deep and `empathetic'. Within moments, I was in the book and the lives of Jamie and Josh.
The novel is written in first person, which I always admire when an author handles this well. We see the story take place through the eyes of Josh, the elder brother. Josh and Jamie live with their mother and step-father as well as their `new' baby step-sister, Jennie. Their father lives further in London with his girlfriend, Kim and her teenage son Kevin. The story is a very interesting insight into personal territory and one boy's fight to try and keep his identity while the world around him changes for the worse.
Josh's younger brother, Jamie, after a visit to a zoo, seems to become possessed by the spirit of a lion that they see caged up. As the book progresses, Jamie becomes more and more lost and the spirit of `Leo' increases. Josh and his family look on in horror as they see Jamie's persona disappear behind an angry cat-mask. It is only the person who is closest to him, his big brother Josh, who can pull him back from the darkness of acceptance.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked the whole idea of the story of `one boy's refusal to accept change in his family'. Newbury seems to effortlessly create thoughtful and well-painted characters whose dialogue and actions are easy to imagine and a joy to soak up. The book is interspersed with cut-outs from Josh's Catbook where we learn fascinating facts about cats throughout history and science. The themes of the story are ones that children, for whom the book is aimed at, can either relate to or at least empathise with
The novel is written in first person, which I always admire when an author handles this well. We see the story take place through the eyes of Josh, the elder brother. Josh and Jamie live with their mother and step-father as well as their `new' baby step-sister, Jennie. Their father lives further in London with his girlfriend, Kim and her teenage son Kevin. The story is a very interesting insight into personal territory and one boy's fight to try and keep his identity while the world around him changes for the worse.
Josh's younger brother, Jamie, after a visit to a zoo, seems to become possessed by the spirit of a lion that they see caged up. As the book progresses, Jamie becomes more and more lost and the spirit of `Leo' increases. Josh and his family look on in horror as they see Jamie's persona disappear behind an angry cat-mask. It is only the person who is closest to him, his big brother Josh, who can pull him back from the darkness of acceptance.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked the whole idea of the story of `one boy's refusal to accept change in his family'. Newbury seems to effortlessly create thoughtful and well-painted characters whose dialogue and actions are easy to imagine and a joy to soak up. The book is interspersed with cut-outs from Josh's Catbook where we learn fascinating facts about cats throughout history and science. The themes of the story are ones that children, for whom the book is aimed at, can either relate to or at least empathise with
April 5, 2009
After observing lions at a wildlife park, Josh’s younger brother Jamie pretends to be possessed by the spirit of a lion. Or is he really pretending? Josh, who has always been obsessed with cats of all sizes, isn’t sure. Told from Josh’s point of view, this psychological drama explores how two brothers deal with changes in their life—a new baby sister, a sullen teenage step-brother--related to their parents’ broken marriage. The book walks the line of reality and fantasy, leaving readers wondering what is actually going on. The ending explanation is not as satisfying as the journey, but the book is still a worthwhile read, particularly for kids going through family drama.
August 13, 2016
Lots of things are changing in Josh and Jamie's life. Both of their parents have got new partners and there are new siblings invading their homes. Josh has always been fascinated by big cats, but on a trip to the zoo, Jamie falls under the same spell. But suddenly Jamie seems different. He cries out in the night and stops speaking entirely. One look from a lion and something has changed in Jamie...
This was an odd book. I couldn't quite work out if it was going to be a novel about magic or realism and it never quite decided. I felt like it never got going. I found myself rushing to get the book finished because it just didn't grab me.
This was an odd book. I couldn't quite work out if it was going to be a novel about magic or realism and it never quite decided. I felt like it never got going. I found myself rushing to get the book finished because it just didn't grab me.
June 18, 2013
Pretty good book. I really enjoyed it.
The illustrations can be a bit confusing at first, but you eventually get used to them. The first two chapters or though were a bit slow maybe, but the rest of it was perfect. I really liked how it was paced, and I couldn't get myself to put it down. I also liked how the story truly felt like it was from a child's (Josh's) point of view. It's the type of book that's both melancholic and feel good at the same time (though I know that probably doesn't make much sense).
The illustrations can be a bit confusing at first, but you eventually get used to them. The first two chapters or though were a bit slow maybe, but the rest of it was perfect. I really liked how it was paced, and I couldn't get myself to put it down. I also liked how the story truly felt like it was from a child's (Josh's) point of view. It's the type of book that's both melancholic and feel good at the same time (though I know that probably doesn't make much sense).
March 18, 2008
Explores the feelings that young children experience when change occurs in the family unit - divorce, step-parents, new brother or sister. I enjoyed the titbits about cats too! Linda Newbery provides the reader with lots of sublte messages... thoughtful writing for adolescents.
August 12, 2013
I really liked the theme she sets in this book. The turmoil of a young kid dealing with changes was interesting and dangerous. Besides it has cat facts in it, that is an instant selling point to me.. :D
December 9, 2014
Intended for kids, but suitable for anyone who has ever had to deal with CHANGE. This book cleverly highlights how important it is for all of us to recognize the value of our own lives as well as that of others' in a family or community. The characters are relatable and endearing.
February 6, 2008
Really good and intresting!
July 10, 2010
boy obsessed with cats solves the mystery of why his brother has become mute except while wearing a lion's mask
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews