Hissy Fitz

Gr 2–4—This smartly written beginning chapter book introduces young readers to a cat named Hissy. Hissy Fitz, to be precise (he takes his human family's last name). The play on words is a sound one, since Hissy is about to lose it, as he is desperate for a nap. Readers will chuckle along as they see a day played out from Hissy's point of view. Case in point? "My eyelids feel heavy, Maybe I could steal a little nap here in the grass before—'There you are!' Georgie says, pushing open the kitchen door. If she comes near me, I will smack her. I know that's not nice, but it's how I feel. 'I filled your food dish,' she says. She sets it down on the porch. Okay, now I feel bad." A menagerie of characters, including eight-year-old Georgie; twin brothers Zeb and Abe, who are in preschool; and other felines from the neighborhood, all make Hissy's quest for sleep an adventure as he gets thwarted over and over again. With its short chapters, snappy dialogue, and fast-moving plot, this book will be popular with newly independent readers who enjoy Megan McDonald's "Stink" books (Candlewick), Suzy Kline's "Horrible Harry" titles (Viking), Hilary McKay's "Lulu" series (Albert Whitman), and other breezy chapter books.—Lisa Kropp, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY