Laurie Halse Anderson is a versatile author of children’s books. She has produced best selling young adult fiction (Speak) and delightful nonfiction picture books (Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving). Less well-known is her Vet Volunteer series of wonderful fiction novelettes aimed at the middle grade age group. Stories feature young people who volunteer to work with animals. One of these little gems, Homeless explores the plight of feral and stray cats.


Homeless: The Story

Sunita volunteers at a veterinary practice operated by Dr. Mac, her friend’s grandmother. Sunita loves caring for the cats, especially since her mother won’t allow her to have one as a pet. When Sunita and her friends find a colony of feral and stray cats, she decides that she must do something to prevent Animal Control from destroying the cats. Neighbors are concerned because of the increasing cat population and fears of rabies. Dr. Mac helps by sponsoring a trap-vaccinate-spay-neuter-release program. Ignoring Dr. Mac’s warnings, Sunita is injured while trying to interact with one of the feral cats. The possibility that Sunita might have contracted rabies complicates plans to save the colony and dashes Sunita’s hopes of convincing her mother that cats make good pets.

Anderson weaves several subplots together into a convincing and interesting story. Saving the cats, the specter of rabies, the conflict with Mother about cats as pets, searching for a missing injured cat, saving a mother cat who is having trouble giving birth – all blend together in a very unified whole. Each chapter brings a new complication, which keeps the plot moving forward steadily.

Adding to the story line is the development of a strong central character. Sunita is a determined individual. She never gives up on owning her own cat, and goes to unusual lengths to convince her mother – including a well-researched booklet that she puts together. Her determination is also her flaw, however, and this is especially evident when she disobeys Dr. Mac’s directive about not interacting with the wild cats. Determined that she can tame them, Sunita suffers the consequences when she’s bitten. She shows responsibility for her own actions, though, when she convinces others that the fault was her own. She is a completely convincing character.


Educational Aspects

Homeless provides a good story, but it has the added benefit of being educational. Anderson obviously did a lot of research, and she unobtrusively presents solid information on a number of issues:
• Feral (wild) cats versus stray (formerly domesticated) cats
• Rabies – preventions, symptoms, treatments
• Cat behavior
• Numbers of cats 2 can produce in a short time
• Spaying and neutering, especially spay-neuter-release programs
• Role of Animal Control organizations
• Safety precautions when handling animals
• Veterinary procedures (IVs, blood transfusions, X-rays, rabies treatments, wound treatments, etc.)

In an appendix, Anderson offers 4 pages of information on cat behavior, including purring, rubbing, licking, bumping, yawning, etc.


Final Analysis

Homeless is a short novel (132 large print pages), suitable for children aged 9-12. The characters in the book are consistent with that age group. Chapters are limited to no more than 10 pages and the reading level is appropriate for this age group. The interest level is high due to the subject matter, which is universal for children – most love reading animal stories.

This story is believable. The actions of the children in the story are realistic, so readers can easily relate to the characters and plot complications. The only small question I have about the credibility of the setting is that, from my experience, most veterinarians or animal rescue groups don’t allow children in this age group to handle animals – if they accept them as volunteers at all. Still, that one point doesn’t detract from the strength of the story.

This is a good book for learning about cats, handling of animals, and veterinary practices. It also offers an alternative to destroying homeless cats through the introduction of the vaccinate-spay-neuter-release program, which causes homeless cat populations to reduce naturally.

The factual information is presented within the confines of an interesting story that makes the reader wonder what will happen next. This is also an effective book to provide young readers a transition to normal length novels.


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The complete Vet Volunteers series to date:
Fight for Life
Homeless
Say Good-Bye
Trickster
Manatee Blues
Storm Rescue

My Other Laurie Halse Anderson Favorites:
Fever 1793
Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving



Recommended: Yes