B: The Tale of the Halloween Cat

The night before Halloween in Hoboken, New Jersey, the Willow Witch summons Bernard, nicknamed B, and eight other strays to enter in the Black Cat Contest. Each contestant much find three ingredients for her witch’s brew. When the trials are complete, aye on Halloween night, the winner will become her familiar and gain a home. Although he lives with Victor, a grim, gaunt, and ungainly-looking crow that roosts on the eaves of an abandoned coffee factory, B has been homeless since Mrs. Blue, his human recently passed away.


Finding the three ingredients is the least of B’s problems. If there isn’t a car, truck, bus, or taxi cab to run him over than the Feral Cat Crusaders are there to lock him away in the animal shelter.


“The pace and movement of the plot are good and the story unfolds well. There is an element of eeriness and spookiness as the plot revolves around Halloween. The narration is detailed and descriptive, making the entire story very visual and alive. Bernard the cat will remain in the minds of young readers for a long time after the book is read because of his need to gain a home and his striving to make that happen. B’s determination and hard work to succeed is noteworthy.


“The illustrations are good and add color to the story. The low Witch and Witchcraft heighten the spooky atmosphere of the plot with the Halloween moon and Jack-O-Lantern grin. All the other characters in the story are also interesting: their personalities are well sketched and they add to the excitement of the plot. But B stands out with his fights and his desperation to win the contest. An exciting story with the right element of thrill, adventure and eeriness.”


Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers’ Favorite