Review: Dewey's Nine Lives

Dewey's Nine Lives: The Legacy of the Small-Town Library Cat Who Inspired Millions by Vicki Myron

Publication Date: October 2010
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Format: Hardcover, 320 pp
ISBN-13: 9780525951865
ISBN: 0525951865

(Received for review from Dutton/Penguin)

Synopsis (Courtesy of Barnes & Noble):

The cat that captured America's heart returns, to share more of his special brand of magic.

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched The World was a blockbuster bestseller and publishing phenomenon. It has sold nearly a million copies, spawned three children's books, and will be the basis for an upcoming movie. No doubt about it, Dewey has created a community. Dewey touched readers everywhere, who realized that no matter how difficult their lives might seem, or how ordinary their talents, they can-and should-make a positive difference to those around them. Now, Dewey is back, with even more heartwarming moments and life lessons to share.

Dewey's Nine Lives offers nine funny, inspiring, and heartwarming stories about cats - - all from the perspective of "Dewey's mom," librarian Vicki Myron. The amazing felines in this book include Dewey, of course, whose further never-before-told adventures are shared, and several others who Vicki found out about when their owners reached out to her. Vicki learned through extensive interviews and story sharing, what made these cats special, and how they fit into Dewey's community of perseverance and love. From a divorced mother in Alaska who saved a drowning kitten on Christmas Eve to a troubled Vietnam veteran whose heart was opened by his long relationship with a rescued cat, these Dewey-style stories will inspire readers to laugh, cry, care, and most importantly believe in the magic of animals to touch individual lives.

Thoughts:

I want to start out by saying... Wow! I had no idea how big the Dewey phenomenon had grown so huge. Dewey the library cat was found in the return books slot at the Spence, Iowa public library and has since captivated the world. Dewey's owner, librarian Vicki Myron just wanted to let people know about how special Dewey was. He was cat that touched a lot of people's lives. He was able to offer library patrons and other people alike something that is hard to find sometimes, comfort. He lived 19 years and his passing was mourned around the world.

Through the success of her first Dewey book, Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World, Vicki Myron was put into contact with thousands and thousands of people who had been touched in some way by Dewey's story or by a special pet of their own. These are their stories. There are two never-before-heard Dewey stories and we meet seven other new felines. These cats have had some adventures, and helped their owners learn some powerful lessons.

One of the things I really liked about this book, was how Dewey's story influenced so many others. I don't have a cat, but I have a wonderful service dog that is one of my best friends, who has saved my life more than once and who I love dearly. So I an empathize with these cat owners, who have seen extraordinary things.

This is a book that cat owners will love, but also pet owners who love their pets in general. It might even make some want to go out to a shelter and rescue a pet of their own. I truly enjoyed this one and believe you will too.

Dewey's Nine Lives is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag.




Vicki Myron grew up on a family farm in northwest Iowa. She began as an assistant librarian at the Spencer library. Within a few years, she was promoted to director of the library. As a single mother, Vicki worked towards a masters degree for librarians during weekends and nights. It was then that she met Dewey, who made his home at the library and kept her company late nights while she studied.