For a child adjusting to a new foster family and feeling unsure about fitting in, this story explores finding comfort and connection through an unexpected friendship.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is navigating a new family situation, like foster care, and feels isolated or defensive. It tells the story of Chad, a boy who has been bounced between foster homes and is wary of his new family. Spending the summer on Cape Cod, he expects this placement to fail like all the others. His perspective begins to shift when he finds and secretly cares for a stray cat, a creature as lonely and mistrustful as he is. Through this bond, Chad slowly learns to open his heart to the possibility of a permanent, loving home. This gentle, character-driven story for ages 8-12 validates a child's cautious feelings while offering a hopeful path toward trust and belonging.
The book deals directly with the emotional impact of the foster care system, including feelings of rejection, impermanence, and fear of attachment. The approach is secular and focuses on the child's internal experience. The resolution is hopeful and realistic; Chad has not solved all his problems, but he has taken the crucial first steps toward healing and accepting love.
Ideal Reader
An ideal reader is a child aged 9 to 12 who is experiencing a new or blended family situation and is struggling with feelings of mistrust or feeling like an outsider. It is also an excellent fit for sensitive children who love animals and stories about emotional healing and connection.
Parent Prep
The book was published in 1981, so some of the phrasing may feel slightly dated, but the emotional core is timeless. Parents should be prepared for Chad's initial negativity and rudeness, which are portrayed as coping mechanisms. No specific prep is needed, the book can be read cold and is very gentle in its approach. A parent has heard their child express feelings of hopelessness about their situation, saying things like, "Why should I bother? It won't last," or is observing withdrawn, defensive behavior following a major life change like a move or new family arrangement.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will connect strongly with the story of a boy saving a cat, seeing it as a straightforward story of kindness and friendship. An older reader (10-12) will better understand the psychological depth, recognizing Chad's defensive behavior and the parallels between his emotional state and the cat's physical vulnerability.
What Makes It Special
Compared to more modern foster care novels, this book's strength is its quiet, internal focus. The central metaphor of the stray cat allows the story to explore themes of trust and healing in a way that is less direct and potentially more accessible for a guarded child. It's a classic character study, less about the drama of the system and more about the slow, personal journey of learning to trust again.
Read plot summary
Thirteen-year-old Chad, hardened by a series of failed foster placements, arrives at his new foster family's summer home on Cape Cod. He is determined to remain emotionally detached, expecting this home to be temporary as well. His walls begin to crumble when he discovers an abandoned, starving cat. In secretly caring for the cat, Chad finds an outlet for his own buried feelings of empathy and love. This relationship becomes the bridge that allows him to slowly connect with his patient foster mother, Sara, and begin to trust that this family might actually be different.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
