Atticus Claw Breaks the Law

In this series opener, Gray introduces Atticus Grammaticus Cattypus Claw, “the world’s greatest cat burglar” (and an actual cat), sending him to the town of Littleton-on-Sea, where he has been hired by a gang of magpies upset about the recurring car-related deaths of their brethren. Employed to steal the valuables of the humans in town, Atticus quickly gets himself adopted by Michael and Callie Cheddar, whose father happens to be the town’s police inspector. “He would commit lots and lots of burglaries so Inspector Cheddar had plenty of crimes to investigate,” Atticus thinks to himself. “It was the least he could do.” Gray juggles exaggerated characterizations (including the bullying magpies and a snooty, hapless wealthy couple) with an assortment of ethnical dilemmas to deliver a funny, twisty escapade. Ages 7–9. (July)