Oona did not acquire the family cat Zook (short for Zucchini) in the most respectable of ways. By hiding his collar, she liberated the animal, skinny and with a BB pellet in his side, from an owner she suspected of neglect. Since that time two-and-a-half years ago, Oonas father has died, and now Zook is sick. To comfort her little brother, Oona, channeling their dad, "the Great Rebus-Maker and Whopper-Teller," comes up with stories about Zooks previous lives. The siblings own lives are also changing, as their mother has started dating Dylan, a.k.a. The Villain, original owner (Oona thinks) of Zook. Just as she did in One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street (rev. 7/11), Rocklin intertwines her characters so smartly that the many coincidences and serendipitous events feel organic to the story. This time the setting is Oakland, California, where, in Oonas close-knit, "multi-culti" neighborhood, the local pizza joint acts as the kids afterschool hangout and block parties double as family reunions. Its not all urban gardens and sunshine, though; Oonas friend starts acting distant; her mother is underemployed; and her fathers absence weighs heavily on everyones hearts. Plus, Zooks failing health leaves Oona, her mother, and brother to make painful decisions about his care. The storys ending -- bittersweet, inevitable, and true -- offers much-needed catharsis for the family and for anyone who has ever loved a pet. elissa gershowitz (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

All cats have nine lives, especially those with 26 toes, right? That's what 10-year-old Oona tells her 5-year-old brother about their rescued cat. They found Zook, named for fried zucchini, in the alley behind their apartment. Zook becomes the pivot for the plot when his kidneys fail and he needs daily infusions. Enter Dylan, a guitar-playing nurse, charms Oona's single mother and brother Fred, but Oona is convinced he's the VILLAIN who shot Zook with BBs several years ago. Oona has a penchant for telling whoppers, like her dead father, but hers are colored-coded (blue, black, red, white and yellow) depending on need and purpose. In her engaging narration, she capitalizes important words, teaches Fred to read with rebuses and tells him stories (again, like her father) about Zook's previous lives. With THEORIES to fit all circumstances, Oona's character is a combination of Harriet the Spy in curiosity and Anastasia in spunk. As in Rocklin's previous One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street (2011), the spirit of a diverse and multicultural community plays a key role. In an achingly honest resolution, Oona recognizes that, unlike stories, real life has both unhappy and happy endings. Another emotionally satisfying outing from Rocklin; hanky recommended. (Fiction. 8-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

*Starred Review* At 10 years old, Oona Armstrong has, and clearly enjoys, many responsibilities: she cares for Fred, her five-year-old brother, when their mom is at work; she helps the local pizza place advertise to passersby; she preserves memories for both herself and Fred, including those of their dead father and also of the day they found their cat, Zook. In Oona's strong and realistic presentation of current events, we learn details of the past that bring Oona's present concerns into compelling focus. Just as important, we learn about her idiosyncratic, but satisfying, theories on fibbing, story construction, and even child rearing. When Zook becomes critically ill, Oona keeps Fred from worrying by telling him he's only used five of his nine lives, and then invents stories about Zook's previous lives. Rocklin's characters are fully developed: readers will be invested in the interactions between Oona and her mother; Fred and their mother's new boyfriend; and even the veterinarian intern and Zook. Readers are also treated to a refreshingly authentic child's view of the diverse city of Oakland. The only imperfection in this novel is that it ends. Fortunately, an appendix provides us with Oona's eight-step theory for storymaking, including, A story doesn't have to be true, but it does have to be real. --Goldsmith, Francisca Copyright 2010 Booklist

Gr 3-6-Ten-year-old Oona has faced the death of her father and now her beloved cat, Zook (short for Zucchini), has fallen ill. To spare her little brother, Freddy, from the harsh realities of life, she resolves to tell "whoppers" or tall tales to help keep him positive. Oona reassures Freddy that Zook has nine lives and has only lived five of them. Using storytelling methods passed on to her by her father, Oona constructs engaging narratives about Zook's past lives for Freddy. She also weaves in her feelings towards her mother's boyfriend in these tales. Joanne Rocklin has created a realistic and sympathetic character in Oona, Georgette Perna gives Oona voice as she skillfully narrates with a convincing and soothing tone. Listeners will agree that "Cat pee isn't a bad smell if you have a cat you love." This sweet tale (Amulet Books, 2012) of love and loss will resonate with listeners.-Amanda Schiavulli, West Orange Public Library, NJ (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.