The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook

In my last post I talked about my constant search for the next book that will recreate how I felt while reading something I loved. I have found that in the book, The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook by Joanne Rocklin. This realistic fiction story took me back to how I felt while reading Bud, Buddy Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis and Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. I read both of those books with a giant grin plastered on my face! And now, Oona, the narrator of The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook has taken me to that same happy and care-free place in my heart.

                 

Oona and her brother, Freddy own a beloved cat named Zook, short for zucchini. Although the book is named for the cat, it isn't strictly an animal story. It's a story about how life changes and how we aren't always ready and willing for that change when it comes. Oona's story telling is delightful! She has theories about everything from telling lies (whoppers) to cat owners vs. dog owners to her "hope-of-the-world theory."

 I think one reason this book resonates so much with me is because I recognize the voice of the writer. I'd like to think that if I ever had a good story to tell, my own writing style would mirror Rocklin's. Oona has many side tracked thoughts and personal commentaries on life that are very familiar to me. I laughed my agreement out loud when Oona complains, "Freddy's school is called the Little Tots Playskool. That's the way they spell it. Playskool. It seems weird that an educational establishment would use the wrong spelling on purpose, but there you go." Her wicked sense of humor shines when she comments on her classmates, "Our class is made up of Rowdies and Listeners. I'm in the latter group. Rowdies are a few sandwiches short of an all-day picnic, as my daddy would have said." I'm sure as you read you will recognize Oona in yourself or someone you know!

While The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook is lighthearted and funny, I was almost brought to tears during a scene in a vet's office. I found myself imagining how I will feel someday when I have to put my own beloved pet down. Tears stung my eyes as I imagined staring into Max's sweet eyes during his last moments. There are beautiful lessons in this story about learning to continue living even after a loved one (in this case a father and husband) has died.

I would recommend this book for 4th-6th graders or as a read aloud. There are stories within the story as Oona crafts tales for her brother about Zook's previous lives as she tries to reassure him about the cat's fate using the cat's nine lives myth. This book could easily be used to get students excited about trying their hand at writing their own stories.