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Boris
Boris is a big gray cat who loves sleeping and playing and exploring and hunting. And his owner loves him for all of his simple cat ways.
But Boris, typical as he may be, is part of a much larger story in this moving exploration of love, longing, compassion, and most of all, the continuous give-and-take of companionship.
Newbery medalist Cynthia Rylant's powerful collection of poems is sure to find its place in the hearts of readers of all ages, especially those who have been lucky enough to experience the many joys and hardships that come with true friendship.
But Boris, typical as he may be, is part of a much larger story in this moving exploration of love, longing, compassion, and most of all, the continuous give-and-take of companionship.
Newbery medalist Cynthia Rylant's powerful collection of poems is sure to find its place in the hearts of readers of all ages, especially those who have been lucky enough to experience the many joys and hardships that come with true friendship.
74 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
8 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Rylant
513 books861 followersAn author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children and young adults as well as an author and author/illustrator of picture books for children, Cynthia Rylant is recognized as a gifted writer who has contributed memorably to several genres of juvenile literature. A prolific author who often bases her works on her own background, especially on her childhood in the West Virginia mountains, she is the creator of contemporary novels and historical fiction for young adults, middle-grade fiction and fantasy, lyrical prose poems, beginning readers, collections of short stories, volumes of poetry and verse, books of prayers and blessings, two autobiographies, and a biography of three well-known children's writers; several volumes of the author's fiction and picture books are published in series, including the popular "Henry and Mudge" easy readers about a small boy and his very large dog.
Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.
from bookrags.com
Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.
from bookrags.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
April 23, 2013
Wow. I love this book. I thought this would be a pleasant read, written by a cat lover for a cat lover like me. It is so much more. I should have known. After all Cynthia Rylant is the author and she so often takes me to another dimension. Boris was her special cat, among her special cats, and he is well celebrated here. But her journey, that he shared with her, was savored as well. I think this will stay with me for a long long time.
Thank you Cynthia.
Thank you Cynthia.
January 10, 2017
i finished this book in under an hour. i loved it and was deeply attached to it. at first, i was very knee deep in a muddy puddle. i had no idea what was going on. you have to read the book a good amount of times to really understand what was really happening. also, you can not skip, even if you take a little break from the book. you need to go a chapter back to really know what was currently happening. anyway, this book was great, funny and heartwarming, it also tells us a great deal about how our lives are now and how we have changed over the years.
January 19, 2023
A beautiful little book for anyone who has ever felt a true connection with a companion animal.
June 6, 2024
Who is this story about, Boris or the woman who adopts him? What is her story? This may be a biographical story of some sorts as you can find photos of Boris on Rylant's website and one of her and Boris on Simon & Schuster's website.
July 21, 2016
This book was in Junior in our collection. It is not a junior. It is either YA or staight up adult. A little gem I found when I was weeding. If you've had a cat in your life this is a beautiful story. Not maudlin - funny and touching. Love that cat.
September 19, 2015
I love cats. I hate schmaltz. I enjoyed this.
I am very curious whether this is nonfiction poetry, fiction, or in-between. On Rylant's website, she lists Boris (but not his sister) as one of her cats.
I am very curious whether this is nonfiction poetry, fiction, or in-between. On Rylant's website, she lists Boris (but not his sister) as one of her cats.
September 9, 2019
[Written: September 09, 2005] | [Edited: September 09, 2019]
At first glance I would've thought this book was actually a short story told from the point of view of a cat named Boris. In all honesty, the moment I opened the book is when I found out it was actually a poetry book told from the point of view of a nameless owner who happened to buy Boris (the cat) and his sister (also a cat), though reluctantly.
From there the story continues to describe Boris' life with his owner, and his relationship with his sister who is honorably mentioned in the book several times. It's a short read, but its full of the depth you'd get from a book and probably more. Boris' behavior is described just like a cat's much to my delight.
It reminded me much of two of my own cats (who happened to be spoiled tabby cats). From his mishaps -breaking his leg, beating down an old cat--- to his lazy behavior -sleeping in other peoples houses, usually annoying them to watching kitty TV-- this book does justice to what it's about. The book is full of humor and heartfelt drama which really got to me. I recommend this book to anyone who loves good poetry stories and cats.
"Accountant's wife: I'm keeping my Cat ."
At first glance I would've thought this book was actually a short story told from the point of view of a cat named Boris. In all honesty, the moment I opened the book is when I found out it was actually a poetry book told from the point of view of a nameless owner who happened to buy Boris (the cat) and his sister (also a cat), though reluctantly.
From there the story continues to describe Boris' life with his owner, and his relationship with his sister who is honorably mentioned in the book several times. It's a short read, but its full of the depth you'd get from a book and probably more. Boris' behavior is described just like a cat's much to my delight.
It reminded me much of two of my own cats (who happened to be spoiled tabby cats). From his mishaps -breaking his leg, beating down an old cat--- to his lazy behavior -sleeping in other peoples houses, usually annoying them to watching kitty TV-- this book does justice to what it's about. The book is full of humor and heartfelt drama which really got to me. I recommend this book to anyone who loves good poetry stories and cats.
January 8, 2022
A poignant story of an animal lover and her cat. Those who enjoyed The Traveling Cat Chronicles will also like this slim, 74-page volume.
Cynthia Rylant is an accomplished poet; she puts language to good use describing her relationship with Boris, a cat she picks up from the Humane Society. She has a soft spot in her heart for God’s creatures and the capacity for deep caring and love, as you can tell from these lines:
“Because I know what it is
to take a dying pet
on its final journey,
how each passing moment
counts so terribly,
and how that crescendo
toward death
builds and builds
until one can hardly bear
another second of impending doom
and utter end.
I know what it is,
that awful certain instant
when the breathing stops
and someone is gone forever.
And one wants to die, too, then,
so as not to
feel anymore.”
That just ripped my heart out. She described exactly how I felt when we had to put our cat to sleep.
The poems cover loneliness, second chances, mentorship, adventure, aging, and many other life issues, seen through comparisons, observations, and musings. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Cynthia Rylant is an accomplished poet; she puts language to good use describing her relationship with Boris, a cat she picks up from the Humane Society. She has a soft spot in her heart for God’s creatures and the capacity for deep caring and love, as you can tell from these lines:
“Because I know what it is
to take a dying pet
on its final journey,
how each passing moment
counts so terribly,
and how that crescendo
toward death
builds and builds
until one can hardly bear
another second of impending doom
and utter end.
I know what it is,
that awful certain instant
when the breathing stops
and someone is gone forever.
And one wants to die, too, then,
so as not to
feel anymore.”
That just ripped my heart out. She described exactly how I felt when we had to put our cat to sleep.
The poems cover loneliness, second chances, mentorship, adventure, aging, and many other life issues, seen through comparisons, observations, and musings. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
April 3, 2017
The poetry book Boris, by Cynthia Rylant is a good book though it didn't seem to go anywhere. I feel like the book didn't have a climax, and ended abruptly. the main characters were Boris, a grey tom, his sister a grey she-cat and his owner. Boris was a bold, clever, and assertive cat. he would attack any cat who just happened to stroll into his territory. the story was unrealistic in some ways and predictable in others, like when Boris won a fight with a coyote. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes cats, poetry, or anyone who has ever read the Warrior Cats series by the Erin Hunters. this book was published in 2005.
March 1, 2016
How lonely one could get,
to talk to their cat
Write poetry about those
impersons and impressions.
May be we all are lonely,
At some point in space-time.
Even sans-cat-companionship.
May be not, only Boris knows.
to talk to their cat
Write poetry about those
impersons and impressions.
May be we all are lonely,
At some point in space-time.
Even sans-cat-companionship.
May be not, only Boris knows.
March 25, 2022
A very sweet quick testament to an adopted cat, the bond between humans/animals, and the unexpected happenings in life. A few parts are humorous and many are touching. Hats off to you Boris - you sound like one hell of a guy.
January 20, 2016
Beautifully told story using poetry to tell the story of a cat and his human. LOVED this book.
July 13, 2024
Prose poem about Boris, a gray cat that was adopted from the animal shelter. Boris and his sister were up for adoption and once Cynthia saw him, she knew he was the one. Rylant adopted both kitties and took them to her little house. This poem is a love story.
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March 4, 2025Cynthia Rylant is one of my all time favorite authors if you account for how many of her books that I’ve read (mostly children’s) and I was so excited to see that he had a poetry collection for her cat. It did make me cry. I love my cat so much.
September 6, 2019
A short book written in verse. Cynthia Rylant writes a lot of fiction, but I don't know if this is classified as fiction or not, come to think of it.
As I read it, at any rate, I presumed that the narrator is the author and Boris one of her cats.
Interesting reviews on this one; at least one person insisted that this is not for children. It does have some adult themes, but I would have enjoyed it when I was a kid even if I didn't understand or relate to everything.
Lovely little book; shorter even than The Bat Poet, which I read recently. But I want to start all over and read it again.
As I read it, at any rate, I presumed that the narrator is the author and Boris one of her cats.
Interesting reviews on this one; at least one person insisted that this is not for children. It does have some adult themes, but I would have enjoyed it when I was a kid even if I didn't understand or relate to everything.
Lovely little book; shorter even than The Bat Poet, which I read recently. But I want to start all over and read it again.
June 29, 2020
Cynthia Rylant must somehow live inside my head and heart. This story is mine on so many levels. My love of the cats we have loved and lost, Tibbets, Molly, and Tilly our feisty little feral girl who left us suddenly on June 5th. She may have loved my husband best, but she took part of my heart with her to heaven. Boris describes my love and connetion to our cats past, present, and future. I am so grateful for them all and for Rylant's story of Boris. Love you, Toby Puddypaws!
October 8, 2023
Honestly I only read this book because I needed to read a poetry book for a book challenge. But I'm actually glad I read it. It was a quick read that was surprisingly enjoyable. I got very attached to it and was a little sad when it was over so soon. I'd say it's worth reading
July 12, 2024
Awe 🥹🥲 such an adorable poetry book about this kitty Boris 💕 Such a quick read and so sad and adorable and real! It didn't end. Sadly, there were just sad parts throughout! I need to go give my kitties a snuggle after this 💕
September 13, 2018
Adorable.
March 19, 2018
Read this for a local library winter reading challenge (needed a book from the poetry section).
I chose this book because I was intrigued to see a volume by Cynthia Rylant (whom I have only ever recognized as a children's author...Mr. Putter and Tabby, Henry and Mudge).
This is a slim volume, one that can be read in an hour or so. It is a love song to a cat. While I am not a big fan of cats, I enjoyed the author's obvious delight in getting to know her new cat, Boris.
I chose this book because I was intrigued to see a volume by Cynthia Rylant (whom I have only ever recognized as a children's author...Mr. Putter and Tabby, Henry and Mudge).
This is a slim volume, one that can be read in an hour or so. It is a love song to a cat. While I am not a big fan of cats, I enjoyed the author's obvious delight in getting to know her new cat, Boris.
May 30, 2017
I think that this book is difficult because half of the poems doesn't even make sense and does not talk about a cat named Borris. and i don't like this book i should have read the back of the book.
March 15, 2018
I started reading this to my daughter, thinking it was a children's book. I realized it wasn't, but kept going because we were both enjoying it. I had to edit some language - nothing horrible, just a few words I wasn't comfortable reading to my nine year old - but it was a nice read.
September 28, 2020
Anybody who have ever loved a cat will understand this book and see themselves in it. I have had many Borises in my life and have loved every one of them. Thank you for this love letter to living with a cat.
July 28, 2025
This is a beautiful book of poems written about a cat and how he shows his owner the intricacies of life.
Content: CLEAN. Kitty violence, such as dead mice and birds, but other than that, nothing that's not appropriate for kids.
Content: CLEAN. Kitty violence, such as dead mice and birds, but other than that, nothing that's not appropriate for kids.
November 9, 2025
This review is dedicated to my friend Emily who hates Cynthia Rylant. This book is memoir-ish, and I finally understand. Cynthia is def one those people that thinks she's better than everyone because she shops at the co-op.
July 10, 2017
I mostly liked it.
September 6, 2017
I loved this collection of poems about Boris the cat, I even laughed out loud. Now, I want to cry because I'm left with a question unanswered: what happened to Boris' sister?!
June 13, 2018
This was a sweet little book about a lady who got a cat, and he made her life happier.
May 1, 2021
My favorite is "God Got a Dog".
December 6, 2023
Great, now I'm sad about my childhood cat.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews