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Pyewacket
1968 Abelard-Schuman – Book Club; Picture-Cover Hardcover
123 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1967
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120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 30, 2014
My mom gave me this book one summer when I was about 8 years old. I think she picked it up at a garage sale or something solely because it was a book about cats - my two favorite things.
That summer, for me, was the summer of Pyewacket. I read and reread the book until I could recite parts of it from memory. I became certain that my cat could talk and spent hours trying to coax words out of him. When I wasn't doing that, I was pretending that I was a cat. In the end, I'm sure my mother regretted ever laying eyes on the book. I couldn't help it, though. Pyewacket was my hero.
I'm giving the book 4 stars because I haven't reread since I accidentally left my copy out in the rain one day about 20 years ago. I can't say if it would still have the same magic now that it did then, but I know that for me the memories it created are worth it.
So, if you've got a young person in your life who likes reading and cats, and you can find a copy of this book, buy it for them. You may have to put up with caterwauling and demands for milk out of a bowl, but is that really much worse than the sounds of Sponge Bob?
That summer, for me, was the summer of Pyewacket. I read and reread the book until I could recite parts of it from memory. I became certain that my cat could talk and spent hours trying to coax words out of him. When I wasn't doing that, I was pretending that I was a cat. In the end, I'm sure my mother regretted ever laying eyes on the book. I couldn't help it, though. Pyewacket was my hero.
I'm giving the book 4 stars because I haven't reread since I accidentally left my copy out in the rain one day about 20 years ago. I can't say if it would still have the same magic now that it did then, but I know that for me the memories it created are worth it.
So, if you've got a young person in your life who likes reading and cats, and you can find a copy of this book, buy it for them. You may have to put up with caterwauling and demands for milk out of a bowl, but is that really much worse than the sounds of Sponge Bob?
February 18, 2011
A favorite from my childhood, I've adapted it to a screenplay for an animated film. Wouldn't this be a great film to take the kids too (or to see for ourselves) Mia
July 9, 2022
One of my favourites when I was much younger.
This book possibly started my love of cats (even though at the time, we had dogs!) We've made up for it since and currently have 3 cuties 😺
A brilliant story about a street full of cats who want to 'get rid' of their owners and take over the houses themselves.
Unbeknown to the kitties, the houses are being emptied and demolished to make way for a new factory being built.
Once the houses are empty and the bulldozers move in, the cats start to regret 'getting rid' of the owners. And poor Pyewacket, their leader, gets injured in the demolition.
All ends well though....as the cats get taken into the care of the factory night watchman as official rat catchers and end up well fed, warm and well cared for - yay!
This book possibly started my love of cats (even though at the time, we had dogs!) We've made up for it since and currently have 3 cuties 😺
A brilliant story about a street full of cats who want to 'get rid' of their owners and take over the houses themselves.
Unbeknown to the kitties, the houses are being emptied and demolished to make way for a new factory being built.
Once the houses are empty and the bulldozers move in, the cats start to regret 'getting rid' of the owners. And poor Pyewacket, their leader, gets injured in the demolition.
All ends well though....as the cats get taken into the care of the factory night watchman as official rat catchers and end up well fed, warm and well cared for - yay!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2010
When Mrs. Markiewicz read this to my 2nd grade class, I didn't pick up on the English setting, but I appreciated how each cat fit (or didn't) with its owners. My own street reminds me of Pig Lane, with the dodgy bit at one end, and Pyewacket is a worthy ruler of his feline crew.
On the Mrs. M. book selection spectrum, this one doesn't stand up there with Henry Huggins or Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, but it certainly leaves Miss Pickerell in the dust.
Last read: 9-20-04
On the Mrs. M. book selection spectrum, this one doesn't stand up there with Henry Huggins or Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, but it certainly leaves Miss Pickerell in the dust.
Last read: 9-20-04
April 7, 2012
I read this as a kid...and have fond memories......would like to read it again.
August 4, 2008
My favorite book from childhood. If i had kids, they would read it.
August 3, 2024
Freakin’ adorable! My 8-year old self would have given it five stars. Thanks, Gavin!
June 4, 2011
One of my favorite books from when I was younger.
February 5, 2013
This was my FAVORITE book as a child. I read is dozens of times!!
August 16, 2016
The very first book I read when I was 10 in 1975!
I can't believe the author is still alive at age 111!
I can't believe the author is still alive at age 111!
August 28, 2017
Although I have this listed as Young Adult, this is actually a Scholastic children's book from when I was in second grade. I came upon a few books in my attic the other day that I had kept for all these years and decided to read them again. I enjoyed reading the book (although it only took about 30 minutes to do so) because it brought back memories of childhood and how excited I would get when we were allowed to choose a book from the Scholastic books catalog.
Pyewacket is the story about a group of cats living in a neighborhood with a scruffy, one-eyed, mangled-eared cat named Pyewacket as their "leader" who lives in the junkyard at the end of Pig Lane (the street where they live). One day, Pyewacket comes up with a plan to get rid of all the humans so they can have the houses to themselves and, with the help of the rats (after calling a temporary truce called The Promise of Pan) they succeed, or have they? All of their owners quickly leave their homes, but then the construction company moves in and starts to tear down their homes... What are Pyewacket and the others, including a kitten and a pregnant female, going to do?
Pyewacket is the story about a group of cats living in a neighborhood with a scruffy, one-eyed, mangled-eared cat named Pyewacket as their "leader" who lives in the junkyard at the end of Pig Lane (the street where they live). One day, Pyewacket comes up with a plan to get rid of all the humans so they can have the houses to themselves and, with the help of the rats (after calling a temporary truce called The Promise of Pan) they succeed, or have they? All of their owners quickly leave their homes, but then the construction company moves in and starts to tear down their homes... What are Pyewacket and the others, including a kitten and a pregnant female, going to do?
January 7, 2025
I found this book in the school library when I was in elementary school and absolutely fell in love with the main character, a wild, beat-up, tough-guy cat with (supposedly!) magical powers named Pyewacket. I have thought of him so often over the years that I had to read the book again, some thirty-five years later. I loved it this time too. The cat characters (and the human ones!) are just the best.
June 9, 2025
Another enjoyable children's classic.
I only picked this book up because of the name. I am a big Bell, Book, and Candle fan.
A very charming story about a group of house cats deciding they want their street to themselves, so they plan on driving away their humans.
If you are a cat lover, you will enjoy this cute story.
I only picked this book up because of the name. I am a big Bell, Book, and Candle fan.
A very charming story about a group of house cats deciding they want their street to themselves, so they plan on driving away their humans.
If you are a cat lover, you will enjoy this cute story.
October 19, 2020
This book belonged to my brother and me as children, and I read it by chapters at bedtime to the 8YO, who loves cats. He enjoyed it immensely...he thought he wouldn't at first, but by the second chapter he was invested in the story. Two thumbs up.
July 16, 2017
B-. fiction, children's fiction, grade 4, cat, Weekly Reader Book Club, Mom's stash, discard
February 15, 2018
"Pyewacket" is a good old-fashioned story about a group of cats and their adventures after deciding to live without humans. Both children and adults will enjoy it.
April 5, 2019
A fun read. I clearly remember my dad reading this to be as a girl, and the twinkle in his eye as he read.
April 15, 2019
I liked the last part.
January 3, 2020
Cute kids book about my favorite subject, cats.
February 2, 2020
This is a children's story of a neigborhood of cats who plot to take over their human's houses. It is one of my all time favorite books, and I have two copies so I will be happy to loan one to you.
October 10, 2022
My dad gave me this book because he read it as a child and loved it. I loved it because it was about cats and their secret plan and it was full of suspense with a cliffhanger!
June 16, 2024
A fun read that took me back to my childhood.
November 5, 2024
I remember this book living in a cabinet in my house as a kid. I didn’t remember anything about it except the name and the cover. I think I should’ve left it in my childhood memories! 😅
October 22, 2022
Read this book when I was about 12 and it stuck with me like few others. I'm a great-grandfather now and I still remember this story in good detail. In fact my wife recently found a copy of it in good condition and bought it for me since she remembered me mentioning it as a favorite of my youth.
A truly special book.
A truly special book.
September 20, 2015
I had this book on Mt TBR for so long, I decided to let it go, but then when I was prepping it for release, I changed my mind and read it. It took all of a day (or so). It is a quick little read, and tells the tale of 7 cats living on Pig Lane. I enjoyed it.
March 17, 2013
Really liked this one, used to read it to my little brother.
When I lived in Phoenix I had a cat just like Pyewacket, big tomcat that liked to fight and he owned the block! He lived a long, rich life.
When I lived in Phoenix I had a cat just like Pyewacket, big tomcat that liked to fight and he owned the block! He lived a long, rich life.
April 13, 2025
I was slow to read things on my own. This one was sitting on the shelf for some months before I started on it. When I was ten, I read it in an afternoon, and I was on my way. Lovely and sad, and full of lessons about dreams crashing into reality.
February 9, 2026
An excellent book with a good moral lesson. Still relevant for today's readers.
May 9, 2008
I still have this book. Rather worn but never parted with. From back when Weekly Reader sold hard cover books.
August 4, 2008
One of mine & my brother's favorite books in our youth!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews