  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 03/15/2016 What sets the prolific Paulsen’s latest apart is its dual nature. The same exact story is offered first as a short novella divided into scenes, and secondly as a play. Six middle-school boys are at its heart: a silent, air guitar–playing dude; a new kid whose backpack contains the titular stuffed cat; the detention habitué who centers the action; a hostile bully and the kid tutoring him; and the class golden boy. Thrown together after regular hours because a storm is predicted to hit, they take refuge in the boys’ bathroom. Forced to spend time together, they smooth out their differences with humor and poke fun at the school authorities. Dialogue heavy, the story works equally well, if not better, as a play, and intrepid teachers will certainly find a use for the opportunity to do some readers’ theater. Kids who struggle with traditional text should also find the play concept liberating. As usual with Paulsen, there’s lots of middle-grade appeal here, and the book should find plenty of fans. - Copyright 2016 Booklist. Loading...
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