Baron the Cat Returns by Aoi Hiiragi Date of Publication: 2002 ISBN:1-59116-956-9 Number of pages:187

REQUIRED READING ABILITY: Junior: Average Intermediate: Low
GENRES: Adventure, Fantasy
THEMES: Good versus Evil , Loyalty, Survival

SUMMARY: Haru is a typical school girl whose life changes when she rescues a cat on her way home from school. Unbeknownst to Haru, the cat is actually feline royalty and magical happenings begin to occur. Haru is drawn to the Cat Kingdom accompanied by Baron, a gentleman cat, as well as a comical fat cat, and a crow. In the kingdom, Haru learns that she is to be married to the Cat Prince and become a Cat Princess. Together with Baron and his friends, Haru must plan her escape back to the human world. Along the way she meets a special friend from the past who helps her to return home.

WHO WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK? A kid who...
- enjoys fantasy
- enjoys adventures with a strong female heroine
- loves cats and cat stories

WHAT ELSE? This book is easy to read and may be good for reluctant readers.