It's Like This, Cat — Emily Cheney Neville

First published in 1963 and winner of the Newbery Award for excellence in children's literature the following year, “It's like this, cat” is the charming and engrossing debut novel by American author Emily Cheney Neville. The story centers on the life of Dave Mitchell, a 14-year old boy growing up in New York City in the early 1960s. Dave befriends an eccentric older neighbor, Kate, who takes care of many of the city's stray cats and he soon adopts an orange-striped tomcat from her. Affectionately called “cat” by Dave, his new companion accompanies him around town in this touching and sensitive coming of age story. Dave fights with his friend, meets a girl, tries to right some of society's wrongs, and navigates life in a new school with the help of his brave and perceptive pet. Widely heralded as one of the best novels written about adolescence in a big city, “It's like this, cat” skillfully captures the feelings, thoughts, and challenges of growing up and discovering one's identity in a busy and often indifferent world. Readers of all ages have continued to identify with Dave's journey with his loyal cat by his side.