THE CAT WHO LIKED RAIN

Swedish author Henning Mankell, who created the Kurt Wallander series, has written a staggeringly beautiful, bittersweet story about Lukas, who receives a kitten for his seventh birthday. Narrator Stanley McGeagh is masterful as Lukas, his plain-spoken dad, gentle mom, and brother, "Thunderbolt." When Night, the cat, goes missing, Lukas copes, makes difficult decisions, and finds a way to keep Night in his life always. There’s a bit of humor, too—McGeagh amusingly portrays a child's view of clothing as a gift. This gorgeous tale has much to say to young people and adults, especially those who've lost a beloved pet. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2011]