Author: Vicky Myron
Year Published: 2008
Year Published: 2008
Genre: Adult non-fiction
Pages: 297
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Challenges: Non-Fiction/Non-Memoir; Winter Olympics 2014 (USA)
Geography Connection (my Google Reading map): Iowa
Geography Connection (my Google Reading map): Iowa
FTC Disclosure: I used a gift certificate to purchase this book and I am putting it in my school library's collection
Summary (from the inside flap of the book): Dewey Readmore Books was only a few weeks only when he was stuffed into Spencer Public Library's book slot. He immediately won the heart of the town and especially the Library Director, Vicki Myron, a single mother who had survived the loss of her family farm, a breast cancer scare, and an alcoholic husband. For the next nineteen years this Library cat never stopped charming the people of Iowa with his enthusiasm, warmth, humility (for a cat), and above all, sixth sense about who needed him most. As his fame grew, Dewey became the symbol of a proud farming community fighting the greatest crisis in its long history--and a source of inspiration for people all over the world.
Review: I really should have read this book sooner, but I am not necessarily a cat person and thought it wouldn't appeal to me. Now, before I get a bunch of hate mail from all the cat-lovers out there, I don't dislike cats (I adored my cat when I was a child), but I am super allergic so tend to avoid petting cats and spending long periods of time with them.
Whew, now that's taken care of, I can go on with my review. I was really touched by this book and can see how people all over have enjoyed Dewey's story as well as that of the town of Spencer, Iowa. I thought the book was just going to be the story of a cat, which I wasn't super excited about, but this book is so much more. I really enjoyed the background of the town, the author's family, and the times (1980s to 2005). All the non-Dewey stories really filled in the stetting and Dewey's impact on people in Spencer, in Iowa, and further afield.
I had no idea that I would be so emotional about this book either. I found it funny and so touching in parts. I am definitely someone who gets teary at the good parts of books, not the sad parts. I could easily picture Dewey comforting those who were sad, encouraging those who were timid, and supporting those who were having trouble, such as the severely disabled girl, Crystal.
I do think that the world needs happy news and that's one of the reasons that this book has done so well. We are inundated with horrible, sad, depressing news every day on television and the radio. To hear about a sweet cat who is bringing a town together and making people happy is such a great thing and he went viral, so to speak.
If you'd like an easy, fun read that will make you feel good about things (though it is certainly not all good and happy in this book, be warned) then I recommend Dewey!
Whew, now that's taken care of, I can go on with my review. I was really touched by this book and can see how people all over have enjoyed Dewey's story as well as that of the town of Spencer, Iowa. I thought the book was just going to be the story of a cat, which I wasn't super excited about, but this book is so much more. I really enjoyed the background of the town, the author's family, and the times (1980s to 2005). All the non-Dewey stories really filled in the stetting and Dewey's impact on people in Spencer, in Iowa, and further afield.
I had no idea that I would be so emotional about this book either. I found it funny and so touching in parts. I am definitely someone who gets teary at the good parts of books, not the sad parts. I could easily picture Dewey comforting those who were sad, encouraging those who were timid, and supporting those who were having trouble, such as the severely disabled girl, Crystal.
I do think that the world needs happy news and that's one of the reasons that this book has done so well. We are inundated with horrible, sad, depressing news every day on television and the radio. To hear about a sweet cat who is bringing a town together and making people happy is such a great thing and he went viral, so to speak.
If you'd like an easy, fun read that will make you feel good about things (though it is certainly not all good and happy in this book, be warned) then I recommend Dewey!
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