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Fur-Face
An evil scientist with a dastardly invention. A sadistic billionaire with a diabolical plan. What stands in their way? Two teenagers and one amazing cat. The bad guys don't stand a chance!
When 13-year-old Billy Euston moves to the English, country village of Little Chumberry, he finds an unlikely friend in Snowy, an outrageous talking cat that only he can hear. Through Snowy he learns of an evil scientist who kidnaps local animals for use in experiments on inter-species communication. Billy finds himself drawn ever deeper into a world of cruelty and exploitation, where every answer uncovers another question. Who is Fur-Face? Why does he operate on animals’ brains? What really goes on in the tunnels beneath Adventure Safari (the nearby zoo and theme park)? With the help of Snowy and Carmen, a local girl whose grandmother owns both the research center and the park, Billy tries to find out, not realizing his search for answers could cost Snowy every last one of his nine lives.
When 13-year-old Billy Euston moves to the English, country village of Little Chumberry, he finds an unlikely friend in Snowy, an outrageous talking cat that only he can hear. Through Snowy he learns of an evil scientist who kidnaps local animals for use in experiments on inter-species communication. Billy finds himself drawn ever deeper into a world of cruelty and exploitation, where every answer uncovers another question. Who is Fur-Face? Why does he operate on animals’ brains? What really goes on in the tunnels beneath Adventure Safari (the nearby zoo and theme park)? With the help of Snowy and Carmen, a local girl whose grandmother owns both the research center and the park, Billy tries to find out, not realizing his search for answers could cost Snowy every last one of his nine lives.
ebook
First published June 1, 2010
About the author
Jon Gibbs
10 books36 followersBorn in England, Jon Gibbs now lives in New Jersey, where he was Author-in-Residence. at Georgian Court University from 2012 - 2017.
Jon is the founder of:
The New Jersey Authors’ Network (www.njauthorsnetwork.com)
NJ Writing Groups.com (www.njwritinggroups.com)
The I are a writer! (and more) store (www.iareawriter.net).
His middle grade fantasy, Fur-Face, was nominated for a Crystal Kite Award. Originally published by Echelon Press in 2010, the second edition was published in November 2022. The sequel, Barnum’s Revenge, was published by Echelon Press in 2013. The second edition is due out in 2023.
Jon's latest book, Abraham Lincoln Stole my Homework, was published on Amazon KDP in March 2023
When he's not chasing around after his children, Jon can usually be found hunched over the computer in his basement office. One day he hopes to figure out how to switch it on.
Specialties: Cake-eating; presentations and workshops on creative writing and blogging; school visits, after-dinner speeches.
Jon is the founder of:
The New Jersey Authors’ Network (www.njauthorsnetwork.com)
NJ Writing Groups.com (www.njwritinggroups.com)
The I are a writer! (and more) store (www.iareawriter.net).
His middle grade fantasy, Fur-Face, was nominated for a Crystal Kite Award. Originally published by Echelon Press in 2010, the second edition was published in November 2022. The sequel, Barnum’s Revenge, was published by Echelon Press in 2013. The second edition is due out in 2023.
Jon's latest book, Abraham Lincoln Stole my Homework, was published on Amazon KDP in March 2023
When he's not chasing around after his children, Jon can usually be found hunched over the computer in his basement office. One day he hopes to figure out how to switch it on.
Specialties: Cake-eating; presentations and workshops on creative writing and blogging; school visits, after-dinner speeches.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 10, 2013
I thought this book was great! It was really engaging and creative! I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to be entertained or has elementary/middle school children to read it to.
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November 13, 2012I found this to be an enjoyable and quick read. Looking forward to the sequel.
June 18, 2024
Purrfect for tween cat fans!
Fur-face features a sarcastic and ever-hungry cat protagonist middle-grade readers will love, especially when the dialogue is read aloud. (Give it a try, you'll love the jokes even more). I found the prose age appropriate and the novel well-written. We get point-of-view chapters from many characters, both human and animal, so there are many opportunities to find a favorite. The unexpected jokes throughout made me chuckle.
I do want to mention a content warning for the more sensitive and younger kiddos. This book does contain mentions of animal cruelty. This is intentional, I believe, as one of the book's themes is that all animals deserve respect.
I'd suggest this book to kids (and adults too!) who love animal characters with big personalities. Snowy, in particular, will capture your heart.
Fur-face features a sarcastic and ever-hungry cat protagonist middle-grade readers will love, especially when the dialogue is read aloud. (Give it a try, you'll love the jokes even more). I found the prose age appropriate and the novel well-written. We get point-of-view chapters from many characters, both human and animal, so there are many opportunities to find a favorite. The unexpected jokes throughout made me chuckle.
I do want to mention a content warning for the more sensitive and younger kiddos. This book does contain mentions of animal cruelty. This is intentional, I believe, as one of the book's themes is that all animals deserve respect.
I'd suggest this book to kids (and adults too!) who love animal characters with big personalities. Snowy, in particular, will capture your heart.
July 12, 2013
Thirteen-year-old Billy Euston and his family have just moved from London to the quiet town of Little Chumberry. There, his father has taken a new position as veterinary surgeon for the local theme park, Adventure Safari. Billy is dismayed to find no other kids his own age in the town.
Meanwhile, a stray black cat known as Snowy has managed to master the English language, yet is unable to find anyone who can actually hear him. This probably wouldn't be an issue had the feline not promised a local fox named Razor that he would find a human to help him locate his mate and cubs who were kidnapped from their den by a human scientist known as "Fur-Face" and his assistant, "Gallstone". Razor was also captured, but managed to escape still wearing a helmet with which he'd been fitted as part of a research experiment. The fox insists that the helmet alerts him to the approach of the rats that "Fur-Face" sends out to kill him.
After negotiating with Razor for more time, Snowy desperately attempts to enter the Euston's new home as they are moving in. Snowy had once been close with the previous owner and a chew toy of sentimental value remained in the house. After several failed attempts, Snowy manages to slip into a second floor room where the toy had been kept, now Billy's bedroom. Snowy hides in the closet until after dark when he begins searching for the toy. His activities startle Billy in the middle of the night and shortly thereafter, two discoveries are made:
Billy encounters a cat that can talk.
Snowy finally finds a human who can hear him.
Once he overcomes the initial shock, Billy successfully convinces his parents to allow him to keep the cat.
Later, the Euston's make a social call to Aggie Cranbrook, the elderly owner of Adventure Safari. Known as "Daft" Aggie, she is hardly your typical senior citizen. After playing with a rock band in the 60s, Aggie went to live in Africa where she worked to save endangered species. Now, she is the sole owner of the theme park. In conversation with the Euston's, Aggie also reveals that the British and US governments are jointly funding and staffing an animal research facility on the theme park property. Strangely, Aggie is not aware of the exact nature of the research, yet seems convinced that it's harmless.
That night, Snowy arranges a meeting with Razor and the fox imparts the details of how the humans invaded his den with smoke bombs and kidnapped him and his family. He recounts his time in a lab and how he was experimented upon by "Fur-Face" and "Gallstone." Billy promises to inquire with Aggie about this upon his next visit to her mansion.
When he arrives, Billy meets Carmen, Aggie's niece staying with her for the summer. They become fast friends and eventually, Billy decides to recruit her in his mission to help Razor and possibly uncover exactly what kind of nefarious animal research is happening in the bowels of Adventure Safari.
Who are "Fur-Face" and "Gallstone" and exactly what kind of research are they performing on the animals at Adventure Safari? Who is backing this research and what are they hoping to accomplish? Will Billy, Snowy and Carmen be able to find Razor's family and stop the evil scientist before more harm is done?
Fur-Face is an enjoyable story with likable protagonists in Billy, Carmen and Snowy. The author took the time to delve into their personalities (especially Billy and Snowy) without distracting from the plot. The antagonists were your typical government-sponsored evil scientists, but for a middle-grade novel, that works. The story is a well-crafted balance of humor and suspense.
I didn't quite understand how Aggie was unaware of the nature of the animal research happening on her property. While it is explained that she made a deal with the government to allow them to use her property in exchange for theme park funding, one might think she would demand assurances that no harm was inflicted on the animals. To do so would certainly fit with her personality.
Overall, it was a fun tale that held my attention from beginning to end.
Meanwhile, a stray black cat known as Snowy has managed to master the English language, yet is unable to find anyone who can actually hear him. This probably wouldn't be an issue had the feline not promised a local fox named Razor that he would find a human to help him locate his mate and cubs who were kidnapped from their den by a human scientist known as "Fur-Face" and his assistant, "Gallstone". Razor was also captured, but managed to escape still wearing a helmet with which he'd been fitted as part of a research experiment. The fox insists that the helmet alerts him to the approach of the rats that "Fur-Face" sends out to kill him.
After negotiating with Razor for more time, Snowy desperately attempts to enter the Euston's new home as they are moving in. Snowy had once been close with the previous owner and a chew toy of sentimental value remained in the house. After several failed attempts, Snowy manages to slip into a second floor room where the toy had been kept, now Billy's bedroom. Snowy hides in the closet until after dark when he begins searching for the toy. His activities startle Billy in the middle of the night and shortly thereafter, two discoveries are made:
Billy encounters a cat that can talk.
Snowy finally finds a human who can hear him.
Once he overcomes the initial shock, Billy successfully convinces his parents to allow him to keep the cat.
Later, the Euston's make a social call to Aggie Cranbrook, the elderly owner of Adventure Safari. Known as "Daft" Aggie, she is hardly your typical senior citizen. After playing with a rock band in the 60s, Aggie went to live in Africa where she worked to save endangered species. Now, she is the sole owner of the theme park. In conversation with the Euston's, Aggie also reveals that the British and US governments are jointly funding and staffing an animal research facility on the theme park property. Strangely, Aggie is not aware of the exact nature of the research, yet seems convinced that it's harmless.
That night, Snowy arranges a meeting with Razor and the fox imparts the details of how the humans invaded his den with smoke bombs and kidnapped him and his family. He recounts his time in a lab and how he was experimented upon by "Fur-Face" and "Gallstone." Billy promises to inquire with Aggie about this upon his next visit to her mansion.
When he arrives, Billy meets Carmen, Aggie's niece staying with her for the summer. They become fast friends and eventually, Billy decides to recruit her in his mission to help Razor and possibly uncover exactly what kind of nefarious animal research is happening in the bowels of Adventure Safari.
Who are "Fur-Face" and "Gallstone" and exactly what kind of research are they performing on the animals at Adventure Safari? Who is backing this research and what are they hoping to accomplish? Will Billy, Snowy and Carmen be able to find Razor's family and stop the evil scientist before more harm is done?
Fur-Face is an enjoyable story with likable protagonists in Billy, Carmen and Snowy. The author took the time to delve into their personalities (especially Billy and Snowy) without distracting from the plot. The antagonists were your typical government-sponsored evil scientists, but for a middle-grade novel, that works. The story is a well-crafted balance of humor and suspense.
I didn't quite understand how Aggie was unaware of the nature of the animal research happening on her property. While it is explained that she made a deal with the government to allow them to use her property in exchange for theme park funding, one might think she would demand assurances that no harm was inflicted on the animals. To do so would certainly fit with her personality.
Overall, it was a fun tale that held my attention from beginning to end.
June 15, 2012
Fur-Face is a rollicking adventure yarn, a mystery-to-be-solved, a suspenseful rescue tale, and a story about learning to fit-in and make friends. It’s set in a small town in the English countryside–but it could be any small town, anywhere. Author Jon Gibbs has created a wonderfully believable cast of characters, led by 13-year-old Billy and the first friend he makes in his new home of Little Chumberry: Snowy, a longhaired, solid black cat.
Billy is a very real person, with a real family–including parents who interfere at inconvenient times, unlike all too many books featuring young people. The story starts to get interesting when Snowy and Billy first meet up, and Billy discovers that he can understand what Snowy is saying, even though no one else can. Once he gets over the initial shock, Billy is distracted from his problems by trying to solve Snowy’s. Complications ensue as they explore the town, including Adventure Safari (a combination theme park and zoo where Billy’s father works as a vet), and visit the Summer Fayre.
Billy starts to make friends, getting to know people in the village and, through Snowy, some of the local wildlife. There’s even a gorilla named Mr. Tinkles, one of the residents of Adventure Safari. All of the characters are fun, and make for an engrossing read. The story is full of twists and turns, and the end is impossible to predict.
But truly the star of the book is Snowy. His attitude and behavior are pure cat. I loved learning about his cravings, and watching the story being interrupted by his constant demands for snacks–especially the way he would convince various of the characters to feed him in series: breakfast here, then breakfast again at another house, then begging for a meal elsewhere–doesn’t everyone own a cat just like Snowy?
Fur-Face is suggested for middle-schoolers, but it can be enjoyed by everyone. Especially those who own or have ever owned a cat. More information about both the book and the author can be found at http://www.catofninetales.com.
Billy is a very real person, with a real family–including parents who interfere at inconvenient times, unlike all too many books featuring young people. The story starts to get interesting when Snowy and Billy first meet up, and Billy discovers that he can understand what Snowy is saying, even though no one else can. Once he gets over the initial shock, Billy is distracted from his problems by trying to solve Snowy’s. Complications ensue as they explore the town, including Adventure Safari (a combination theme park and zoo where Billy’s father works as a vet), and visit the Summer Fayre.
Billy starts to make friends, getting to know people in the village and, through Snowy, some of the local wildlife. There’s even a gorilla named Mr. Tinkles, one of the residents of Adventure Safari. All of the characters are fun, and make for an engrossing read. The story is full of twists and turns, and the end is impossible to predict.
But truly the star of the book is Snowy. His attitude and behavior are pure cat. I loved learning about his cravings, and watching the story being interrupted by his constant demands for snacks–especially the way he would convince various of the characters to feed him in series: breakfast here, then breakfast again at another house, then begging for a meal elsewhere–doesn’t everyone own a cat just like Snowy?
Fur-Face is suggested for middle-schoolers, but it can be enjoyed by everyone. Especially those who own or have ever owned a cat. More information about both the book and the author can be found at http://www.catofninetales.com.
November 4, 2010
Let me start off by saying that I loved this book. I don’t read a lot of middle-grade or YA fiction so I’m straying into territory I haven’t explored since I was a youngster but I was hooked pretty much halfway through Chapter 1.
The story centers around a black cat named Snowy (or Roland, depending on who did the naming) and his budding relationship with a 13-year-old human boy named Billy Euston, who has recently moved from London to a small English Village that I want to live in too. Snowy can speak Human but only Billy can understand him. Snowy also has a thing for cola, chips and bendy straws. However, this is no normal boy-meets-cat story.
Snowy convinces Billy to help him find out what happened to the family of a local fox. Razor, the patriarch of the fox family, wears a metal helmet courtesy of two scientists who kidnapped him and his family and began experimenting on them for purposes of mind control. Razor escaped but needs help finding his family.
Soon we are drawn into a plot of animal-napping, experimentation and exploitation. Billy, with help from his new friend Carmen, the niece of “Daft Aggie” – a former adventuress and owner of Safari Adventure amusement park, seek to solve the mystery of Razor’s family and find out the secrets of the Safari Adventure.
The story is engaging and the characters, human and non-human alike, sympathetic. Several times I found myself laughing aloud and I also adored Snowy’s Indiana Jones references. In addition, although the ending answers our questions, not everything is wrapped up in a nice, neat, homey package and I thought this added depth and realism to the story. All in all, this is no run-of-the-mill talking cat story but was definitely a fun (and funny) fantasy adventure.
The story centers around a black cat named Snowy (or Roland, depending on who did the naming) and his budding relationship with a 13-year-old human boy named Billy Euston, who has recently moved from London to a small English Village that I want to live in too. Snowy can speak Human but only Billy can understand him. Snowy also has a thing for cola, chips and bendy straws. However, this is no normal boy-meets-cat story.
Snowy convinces Billy to help him find out what happened to the family of a local fox. Razor, the patriarch of the fox family, wears a metal helmet courtesy of two scientists who kidnapped him and his family and began experimenting on them for purposes of mind control. Razor escaped but needs help finding his family.
Soon we are drawn into a plot of animal-napping, experimentation and exploitation. Billy, with help from his new friend Carmen, the niece of “Daft Aggie” – a former adventuress and owner of Safari Adventure amusement park, seek to solve the mystery of Razor’s family and find out the secrets of the Safari Adventure.
The story is engaging and the characters, human and non-human alike, sympathetic. Several times I found myself laughing aloud and I also adored Snowy’s Indiana Jones references. In addition, although the ending answers our questions, not everything is wrapped up in a nice, neat, homey package and I thought this added depth and realism to the story. All in all, this is no run-of-the-mill talking cat story but was definitely a fun (and funny) fantasy adventure.
March 4, 2012
Sometimes juvenile literature charms adult readers as well, and from the start Fur-Face by Jon Gibbs had me reading with delight. The novel begins with suspense, not only in the set up of the story, but in the author's ability to create small scenes of near-misses and near-catches, depicting how a cat tries to sneak into a house unseen, to its destination. Snowy's plight leaves us sympathetic immediately, but then as he begins to talk to the boy of the house, Billy, we get a taste of his sarcasm and humor, accusing the boy of stereotyping upon his first words. Suddenly, the cat seems well able to take care of himself, and it seems the boy is going to be taken on this journey at the cat's command.
The chapters have charming, evocative subtitles that pique our interest, and endings that propel the reader forward, with many laugh-out-loud moments sprinkled throughout. Gibbs manages to pick just enough select details to create vivid settings that place us immediately in the story and develop a variety of atmospheres from the comfort and safety of home, to the mystique of an old house full of relics, to the mystery and terror of an animal research center.
Billy, Snowy, Aggie and friends are characters we quickly become fond of as we follow them in their investigation of cruel animal experiments perpetrated, they believe, by the evil Fur-Face. Full of puns and sarcasm and sincere affection, Fur-Face keeps you reading and believing.
The chapters have charming, evocative subtitles that pique our interest, and endings that propel the reader forward, with many laugh-out-loud moments sprinkled throughout. Gibbs manages to pick just enough select details to create vivid settings that place us immediately in the story and develop a variety of atmospheres from the comfort and safety of home, to the mystique of an old house full of relics, to the mystery and terror of an animal research center.
Billy, Snowy, Aggie and friends are characters we quickly become fond of as we follow them in their investigation of cruel animal experiments perpetrated, they believe, by the evil Fur-Face. Full of puns and sarcasm and sincere affection, Fur-Face keeps you reading and believing.
August 31, 2010
Thirteen year old Billy has just moved to the English country village of Little Chumberry when he makes friends with the clever Snowy, a talking cat that only he can hear. Snowy soon makes Billy aware that there's more going on in this little village than meets the eye. An evil scientist has been kidnapping and experimenting on local animals, and there are strange happenings in the tunnels beneath Adventure Safari, a nearby zoo and theme park. It's up to Billy and Snowy to get to the bottom of the mystery, with help from a fox named Razor and a friendly local girl named Carmen. But their search for answers is fraught with danger, especially for Snowy.
Fur-Face was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and almost made me wish I had some kids to share it with. The story offers plenty of laughs, suspense, action, and even an occasional tear. Young Billy is a likeable and believable protagonist, and his feline buddy Snowy is absolutely chock-full of personality. The villains are downright menacing, and the cast of characters is rounded out by a quirky bunch of supporting actors both human and otherwise. Kids of all ages will enjoy this funny, charming, and highly original adventure. I can only hope that there's a sequel in the works!
Fur-Face was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and almost made me wish I had some kids to share it with. The story offers plenty of laughs, suspense, action, and even an occasional tear. Young Billy is a likeable and believable protagonist, and his feline buddy Snowy is absolutely chock-full of personality. The villains are downright menacing, and the cast of characters is rounded out by a quirky bunch of supporting actors both human and otherwise. Kids of all ages will enjoy this funny, charming, and highly original adventure. I can only hope that there's a sequel in the works!
April 4, 2011
What a fun adventure. I loved the character, Snowy, just as pompous as any cat can get! It was a fairly fast read. And the key to a good book: I wanted more. I would love this cat to find more mischief for us to read through.
If you love comic books there is a person you might relate to in Billy; quite the normal geek. :)
Though it is a book that could be read by younger children, I think I would have thought it to be too bloody and violent in places for the too young. So I labeled it young adult. Adults will like it, too.
The author has a wonderful blog on Live Journal: http://jongibbs.livejournal.com/ with a lot of links to topics aspiring authors can use.
If you love comic books there is a person you might relate to in Billy; quite the normal geek. :)
Though it is a book that could be read by younger children, I think I would have thought it to be too bloody and violent in places for the too young. So I labeled it young adult. Adults will like it, too.
The author has a wonderful blog on Live Journal: http://jongibbs.livejournal.com/ with a lot of links to topics aspiring authors can use.
October 31, 2010
It was good. I liked it. The characters are colorful and interesting, especially Snowy who's antics make him very animated. (Though I would say my favorite characters were Aggie and Razor.) The plot isn't too simple or too complicated. Great for a YA audience. It has a good balance of everything.
I would call the genre sort of a mystery/adventure. I don't tend to love this genre. I would say within the adventure and mystery I've read, this is definitely up in the top.
I would call the genre sort of a mystery/adventure. I don't tend to love this genre. I would say within the adventure and mystery I've read, this is definitely up in the top.
August 22, 2012
A clever and fun story about a talking cat,the boy who can hear him and the evil Fur-Face who is experimenting on animals. Even though I'm in my 30's, I could enjoy this MG novel and laughed several times while reading it. It also reminded me of my all time favorite book growing up, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.
There is a bit of violence at the end, so I would recommend it for a bit of a more mature reader but overall, a great read for kids and adults alike!
There is a bit of violence at the end, so I would recommend it for a bit of a more mature reader but overall, a great read for kids and adults alike!
February 11, 2023
My dad got me this book and had it signed by the author for me. The author wrote a mini message in it telling me not to let my dog see me reading this book!
Jon Gibbs is a good writer with an original story. I loved seeing Snowy and Billy's mini adventure together. I don't remember details, but I did enjoy it a lot. The story ended in a way that made it seem like there could potentially be a sequel. If there ever was one, I would be very interested in seeing what that would entail.
Jon Gibbs is a good writer with an original story. I loved seeing Snowy and Billy's mini adventure together. I don't remember details, but I did enjoy it a lot. The story ended in a way that made it seem like there could potentially be a sequel. If there ever was one, I would be very interested in seeing what that would entail.
June 19, 2010
Boy I wish this was in book form. I would love to read this book to some kiddoes. Or gift it to some kiddoes. They would LOVE Snowy as much I adored him. A great easy summer read. Funny and clever.
May 24, 2011
I gave up about halfway through the book because :[return]* The plot didn't flow.[return]* The 'Snowy' character wasn't credible as a cat and was overdone - a bad caricature of a cat.
September 23, 2012
Marketed as a young adult book, it works as a book for all ages. The story has humor, ups and downs, and an involving story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews