Nimbus

In this affecting tale by Eldredge (Evangeline of the Bayou), a cat struggling to make it home to her owner finds that she has magical powers. Black cat Nimbus is devoted to her young human owner, Fletcher. So when Fletcher is attacked by a strange monster that he accidentally frees from a jar, Nimbus defends him. Both boy and feline are hurt in the fray; Fletcher's cat-distrusting aunt blames Nimbus for his injuries and abandons her far from home. Nimbus encounters and befriends a fashion-conscious, would-be actor rat named Rhett, and takes refuge with Agatha, a reclusive human witch whose four cats reluctantly accept Nimbus's presence while she heals. There, Nimbus discovers her ability to dreamwalk. Though desperate to return to Fletcher, Nimbus soon realizes that her destiny may lie elsewhere. Fanciful, optimistic, and filled with a gentle humor, this heartrending tale is also offers a thoughtful exploration of animal abandonment and trauma, and the bond between owner and pet. As Nimbus discovers the tragic circumstances that brought each of her new friends to live with Agatha, she confronts her own fears and tumultuous kittenhood, while never losing sight of her goals or beloved owner. Ages 8--12. Agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties. (Sept.)

A loyal black kitten's boy is under supernatural attack. Eleven-month-old Nimbus loves Fletcher, the boy who nursed her back to health following life-threatening injuries. When Fletcher becomes curious about a strange jar and opens it, releasing a terrible goblin, loyal Nim protects Fletcher, taking heavy damage in the process. But Fletcher's aunt, who's caring for him over spring break, believes Nim attacked Fletcher and dumps her far from home. Rhett, a stylish rat with star quality, befriends injured Nim and leads her to a witch's house. While the witch cares for Nim, the witch's cats (maternal Fern, bookish Rochester, standoffish Bianca, and openly hostile Abraxas) teach Nim important cat skills. She also discovers she has a supernatural ability: In destroying one eye of the nightmare demon in the fight to protect Fletcher, Nim gained its "dream sight." But she also learns it might come back for Fletcher, who no longer has Nim to protect him, posing a time-sensitive, high-stakes threat. Even though the witch's home is nice and magic itself seems to be telling her to stay put, Nim wants to find a way back to Fletcher. As a hero, Nimbus is as gritty and determined as she is adorable. Tear-jerker moments explore pet abandonment--readers may want their own pets on hand to hug--all the way through the magical, action-packed finale. Fletcher and the witch read white. A deeply imaginative journey that puts the "cat" in cathartic. (Fantasy. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.