Coming Home by Jane Ayres (Children's, 9 years +, 10E/10E, short 'n' sweet review)

 December 2012, Slow Gallop Press, 77 pages, Ebook, Review copy 

Content: tissues needed

Book summary

Two lost cats
A heartbroken girl
A dangerous journey   

When teenager Kira adopts two abandoned Norwegian Forest kittens, she quickly forms a deep bond with her special cats, naming them Sky and Max. But the night before Kira and her Mum are due to move to a new home over a hundred miles away, her beloved cats go missing and her frantic searches are to no avail. The move goes ahead - without Sky and Max, who, unknown to Kira, have been accidentally locked in a neighbour’s shed. By the time they escape, their old home is empty. How will they find Kira?
 

Devastated, Kira runs away to search for her cats but by now they are on different paths. On their treacherous journey, Sky and Max depend on each other – and the array of humans they encounter – for their survival.

Finally, a twist of fate brings them closer to Kira than they all realise but when it looks as if they may at last be reunited, a tragic accident pulls their lives apart once more. Who will survive? Will Kira and her brave cats ever find each other again?

Nayu's thoughts

Pet stories always rate highly with me, this one more so because it involves cats. I understood the joy Kira felt when she first got Max and Sky because I felt the same way about my cat, Belle. It was easy to relate to her because I have Belle, and scarily easy to imagine how heartbroken I'd be if Belle went missing. I've no idea how Kira managed to stay strong even when her cat empty new home made her sad. Her mum was understandably busy and preoccupied with settling in their new home, but she does do what she can to console Kira and help give her the chance of finding her cats. 

I liked the point of view from Max and Sky who don't always get to be together during their long journey home. I promise the ending is worth all the tears and fears which I had while reading it. I gave Belle an extra hug once I'd finished, thankful that she isn't lost. I also pray for all those who have missing cats, dogs, and other pets that they too can be reunited. Pets hold a special place in our hearts. 

Keep up to date with the latest news on Jane's blog.