First published 2019
This educator's guide supports classroom study of Emily Cheney Neville's Newbery Medal winner about fourteen-year-old Dave Mitchell in 1960s New York City. The resource includes lesson plans for reading comprehension, writing tasks, and critical thinking activities. Teachers get prepared materials that help students connect with Dave's experiences as he adopts a stray tomcat called Cat. The feline becomes a turning point in Dave's relationship with his controlling father. Through structured activities, students explore Dave's adventures in his neighborhood, his new friendships, and his growing ability to assert himself. The guide addresses key themes including family tensions, adolescent development, and self-discovery. Teachers save planning time while students engage with Dave's realization that small acts of defiance can transform how he views himself and his family relationships.
Genres: american-fiction, coming-of-age, adolescence, education, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, found-family
Setting: New York City
Period: 1960s
32 pages · Paperback · Novel Units, Inc.