Don’t Trust the Cat

A girl and her cat switch bodies in this Freaky Friday–flavored romp. Eleven-year-old Poppy McBean, who cues as white, is venting to her cat, Mitten Man, about her frustrations: feeling neglected by her overworked parents and put out by her bossy best friend, she wishes that she had Mitten Man’s easy life. Following this admittance, the “world goes crazy” and, as if by magic, tween and cat swap minds. The two are suddenly capable of communicating telepathically, and they arrange for Mitten Man, now known as Big Poppy, to attend school while Old Poppy fumbles through life as a house cat until they can reverse the spell. Big Poppy, who has no interest in maintaining the status quo at school, quickly alienates Poppy’s friends. Old Poppy, meanwhile, must brave the dangers of the outside world in a quest to locate a missing turtle. Tracy (I Am Picky) centers themes of empathy and understanding, as well as learning to push one’s boundaries, through Big Poppy’s stumbling efforts to conform to human life and Old Poppy’s hesitancy to embrace change. It’s a lighthearted adventure that will appeal to anyone who’s ever wished to walk in their pet’s paws. Ages 10–up. Agent: Sara Crowe, Pippin Properties. (July)