Dewey the Library Cat: A True Story

Librarian Myron’s popular adult memoir, Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, about the adopted cat who became the mascot of her Iowa library, finds yet another life in this middle-grade adaptation, which also follows Myron and Witter’s 2009 picture book version. At its core, the story—Spencer Public Library staff and patrons rally around the tiny ginger-colored kitten abandoned in the book drop on a freezing winter’s night—remains as heartwarming as ever. Young animal lovers, especially, will enjoy learning about how the cat, Dewey Readmore Books, endeared himself to library visitors (he was always happy to receive a petting or to nap on welcoming laps) and how his fame spread nationally and beyond U.S. shores thanks to profiles in various cat publications. Myron’s friendly and pleasantly pragmatic voice, as well as her mostly judicious selection of anecdotes, brings poignancy to the tale of her special bond with Dewey. Her story also offers readers another bit of insight into how animals and humans can emotionally enrich each other’s lives. Ages 8–12. (May)