Absolutely Alfie and the Furry, Purry Secret

Absolutely Alfie #1

by Sally Warner, Shearry Malone (Illustrations)

Seven-year-old Alfie Jakes has a kitten-sized secret in her debut chapter book--perfect for fans of the Judy Moody books!

Seven-year-old Alfie Jakes isn't thrilled when her mom organizes end-of-summer playdates with her soon-to-be classmate, Hanni. Hanni is kind of bossy. So Alfie is relieved when Hanni is more fun to play with then she thought. Even better, she shows Alfie her cat--who has kittens! Alfie immediately falls in love with a little gray kitten and wants to give it a home. But one of the Jakes' house rules is 'no pets' because Alfie is supposedly alergic. Alfie is sure she's outgrown that allergy, but how can she convince her parents? Wouldn't it be better to sneak the kitten home and PROVE that she's not allergic? But keeping a kitten a secret is lot harder than she ever thought!

Genres: Chapter Books, Realistic Fiction, Family, Fiction, Childrens, 2nd Grade, Middle Grade

96 pages, Hardcover

Published August 29, 2017

About the author

Sally Warner is a writer of fiction for children and young adults and of books on creativity. She made the Lily series and Emma series for children's books. Sally Warner was born in New York City and grew up in Connecticut and California, where her family moved when she was eight years old.

Reviews

[Genesis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Alfie was absolutely amazing!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

Alfie and her quest to obtain a kittycat to love, despite the "no pets" rule in her household, was endearing. I remember how badly I wanted a kitty in the fourth grade, and it really did feel like me adopting Tigger did feel like "a kitten-shaped puzzle piece" had "somehow completed" my own heart. I love that Alfie got to keep the kitten in the end AND still had to face the consequences of lying to her parents.

I did, however, get a little indignant with the author regarding chapter 13 of the book, where Alfie starts to realize that having a kitten is a responsibility and not just a plaything. I understand the importance of weighing pros and cons about adding a being into an existing family unit, pets or otherwise. However, Alfie hadn't been given a chance to prove that she could take care of Princess until she snuck the kitten into her home.

If, after realizing that having a kitten is a big responsibility, Alfie still wanted to keep Princess and take care of her, why shouldn't she be given the chance? Especially because Alfie's parents lied to HER about her being allergic to cats to prevent the introduction of pets to the family home.

Also, why was it never explained in the story why Alfie was lied to about her "allergies" to begin with? Parents shouldn't lie, either.

Anyway! Cute story! I've already ordered the second book in this series from the library for my kiddos.

[Christine Turner]

Seven-year-old Alfie Jakes has a kitten-sized secret in her debut chapter book--perfect for fans of the Judy Moody books! Seven-year-old Alfie Jakes isn't thrilled when her mom organizes end-of-summer playmates with her soon-to-be classmate, Hanni. Hanni is kind of bossy. So Alfie is relieved when Hanni is more fun to play with then she thought. Even better, she shows Alfie her cat--who has kittens! Alfie immediately falls in love with a little gray kitten and wants to give it a home. But one of the Jakes' house rules is 'no pets' because Alfie is supposedly allergic. Alfie is sure she's outgrown that allergy, but how can she convince her parents? Wouldn't it be better to sneak the kitten home and PROVE that she's not allergic? What happens next, will surely tickle your funny bone; for, Alfie soon discovers that keeping a kitten a secret is lot harder than she ever thought!

Description: 131 pages

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Viking and Penguin Random House for the advance copy.

While the issues that Alfie deals with (family rules, school stuff, new friends) are pretty standard, Alfie had a strong voice and the other characters were distinct as well, which made the book stand out a bit more and which make it feel more genuine and relatable. The writing was entertaining and well-paced.

This book also fills a gap in two ways. We definitely need more books that feature diverse families and kids in everyday, relatable situations. Also, the book is a bit longer and denser than typical for a 1st or 2nd grade reader that would be most likely to relate to Alfie. It will be a great option for kids that read at a higher level but still need age-level content.

[Earl · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a new series featuring EllRay Jakes’s sister, Absolutely Alfie will surely entertain readers who are ready for early chapter books. In this first installment, she sneaks a cat into the house and tries to keep it a secret from her family until she can prove to them she’s not allergic to pets as they claim she is and that she can be a good pet owner. Also throws in some pre-school jitters.

I wasn’t a fan of the art. They switched illustrators.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was a story about a girl named Alfie who spends 3 weeks in the summer going back and forth between her friends house. Her friend (who is kind of a new friend) has kittens and is looking for homes for them. Alfie really wants one, but her family has a no pets rule. She decides to sneak one and hide it in her room. In the end, she fesses up and feels really guilty. She gets to keep the cat but after some consequences.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellray Jakes little sister Alfie is getting her own book series! This first book is a great start. We can all relate to poor Alfie who just wants a kitten, but doesn't necessarily have permission. Give this book to kids who are reading Junie B Jones, Ivy and Bean, and the like, they will just fall in love with Alfie! (review based on an advanced uncorrected galley)

[Sara-Zoe Patterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite, mostly because the reading level is mis-matched with the characters ages and their actions, personalities etc. In theory it would have been a good book to give graduates of Ivy and Bean in terms of the realistic fiction and reading level - but the characters are younger than Ivy and Bean. Maybe a family bedtime read aloud for 2nd graders?

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summer's just about over and Alfie Jakes and her friend Hanni spend their days together. Hanni has a basket full of kittens, and Alfie picked herself one to keep. The only problem, is the no pet rule at her house, which Alfie decides to break. What will happen once her parents discover her secret, and what will happen to the kitten that Alfie has claimed as her own?

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alfie is filled with curiosity and nerves. Warner does a great job bringing get inner dialogue to life in a way that teaches a lesson without being heavy handed. I also loved Alfie's conversations with Hanni and her family that are a great template for kids learning to stand up for themselves and talk about their needs.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely upper-elementary story featuring friendship and a kitty!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable, great conflict and resolution, and appealing. I'll be recommending this book to my 1st & 2nd grade teachers looking for read-alouds.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

8/12/2018 ~~ Alfie kept me entranced through the whole story. Would she be allowed to keep her new "friend" (a kitten) secret from her family?

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute tale of how trying to slip a secret into the house may not end the way you want it to. Alfie learned how to open her mind, her heart, and accept consequences for her actions.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An early elementary book about a young girl who wants a cat enough to sneak one into her room and care for it there. Can she live with consequences of lying? Will it work out? A cute story.

[Layna Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like 5his book when Alfie sees the kitten but it let me learn a lesson not to hide things.

[Dena McMurdie · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are super-duper cute. Alfie is a rising second-grader who is plucky, funny, and smart. With themes of friendship, honesty, and family, this series gives girls a character they can relate to.

I read this book with my two daughters and they loved it. My eight-year-old especially connected to the story. She loves slice-of-life chapter books and stories she can relate to. This was an adorable story with a great protagonist!

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:
As the summer is winding down, Alfie seems to have nothing to do. She has nothing to do, that is, until her mom tells her about a two girl daycare club that she has in mind for Alfie and a new friend; Hanni. They do arts and crafts and all sorts of "hang out" things. One day when Alfie goes over to Hanni's house, Hanni has 3 kittens, 1 of which still needs a good home and Alfie falls in love! But there is one big problem... The Jakes' household is strictly pet free. How will Alfie keep her furry little friend a secret? Will she be able to pull off operation kitty? Will she every convince her mom that she's really not allergic to cats? Eventually she gets caught and is determined to convince her parents to allow the Princess (her kitten) to stay. And eventually, she does just that.

Questions:
1. What would you do if a friend told you they had a kitten that still needed a home and you wanted it but your parents believed you were allergic?
2. How do you think your parents would react to you bringing home a kitten (or other pet) without permission?
3. How would you feel keeping this secret?
4. What would you do to convince your parents to allow you to keep the kitten (or other pet)?
5. If you were Hanni and found out that the friend you gave your kitten to did not get permission from her parents, would you be angry? Disappointed? Neither? Why or why not?

Citation:
Warner, S. (2017). Absolutely Alfie and the Furry Purry Secret. New York, NY: Puffin Books