Kaspar the Titanic cat

No, this isn't based on a true story. But it has the flavor of one, as Morpurgo introduces us to 14-year-old London bellboy Johnny Trott, an orphan who garners tips by behaving like a willing puppy dog for the elite guests of the Savoy Hotel. It is the arrival of a Russian countess and her moody black cat, Kaspar that changes everything. The countess suffers a terrible tragedy, forcing Johnny to care for the cat. Later, while helping an American family load their luggage (and Kaspar) aboard the Titanic, Johnny makes the sudden decision to become a stowaway. Over half of this book takes place at the Savoy, and the action aboard the doomed ship speeds by almost too quickly for readers to find their sea legs. Perhaps advisably, there is little awe or terror in Morpurgo's language ( we knew now we were going down with her ), though Foreman's black-and-white sketches communicate plenty of grandeur and horror. Overall, this is a hopeful book about a hopeless tragedy and a fine introduction to a perennially discussed topic.--Kraus, Daniel Copyright 2010 Booklist

Former British children's laureate Morpurgo (War Horse) offers a sweet, touching historical novel (published in the U.K. in 2008) that balances sentimentality with humor and action. The orphaned 14-year-old narrator, Johnny Trott, a put-upon bellhop at a London hotel, becomes the caretaker of the titular cat after the sudden death of Kaspar's owner, the opera singer Countess Kandinsky. As Johnny attempts to hide his new charge from the hotel's malicious head housekeeper, Mrs. Blaise (nicknamed "Skullface"), he worries that Kaspar is pining for his late owner. Kaspar cheers up when he meets Lizziebeth, a girl who instantly takes to the cat. Morpurgo keeps the action moving swiftly, with new characters and concerns shoring up the fast friendship that forms between the two teenagers (and the cat they love). Readers might find the title misleading-only about a third of the story takes place on board the Titanic, although it certainly represents the tensest part of the novel-but the story is more than enjoyable enough to compensate, with Foreman's delicately detailed spot art contributing to the book's strong sense of atmosphere. Ages 8-12. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Gr 2-5-Despite the title, this is really the story of a bell boy at the ritzy Savoy Hotel in London. Kaspar arrives with a wealthy Russian singer, and, after her tragic death, Johnny Trott takes care of him even though he is not allowed any pets in his room. Elizabeth Stanton, the young daughter of rich Americans, and her family are staying at the Savoy until they sail home. After accompanying the Stantons to the ship and giving Kaspar to Lizziebeth, Johnny makes a rash decision to stow away. He is rapidly discovered and put to work in the engine room stoking the big furnaces. When the iceberg is hit, Johnny goes to wake the Stantons and helps to rescue Kaspar and get him on a lifeboat. All three Stantons, Kaspar, and Johnny survive the disaster and Johnny is adopted by the family. There is nothing remarkable about this story to make it stand out from among the other offerings commemorating the famous disaster. The characters are likable, but almost caricatures; for instance, the matron in charge is called "Skullface" by the children because she is mean and angry. Foreman's black-and-white illustrations, many full page, help accentuate the narrative, and short sentences, adequate white space, and the medium-size text will aid readers who are transitioning to more challenging chapter books. However, the nostalgic, humdrum story may not captivate their interest.-Amy Commers, South St. Paul Public Library, MN (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Orphan Johnny Trott, a bellboy at London's Savoy Hotel, is lonely--until a cat named Kaspar and a girl named Lizziebeth enter his life. Johnny finds himself on an adventure, stowing away aboard the Titanic then helping Lizziebeth's family escape the disaster. Morpurgo's highly accessible text provides a good amount of suspense. Foreman's black-and-white illustrations are by turns dramatic and reassuring. (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(Historical fiction. 9-12)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

No, this isn't based on a true story. But it has the flavor of one, as Morpurgo introduces us to 14-year-old London bellboy Johnny Trott, an orphan who garners tips by behaving "like a willing puppy dog" for the elite guests of the Savoy Hotel. It is the arrival of a Russian countess—and her moody black cat, Kaspar—that changes everything. The countess suffers a terrible tragedy, forcing Johnny to care for the cat. Later, while helping an American family load their luggage (and Kaspar) aboard the Titanic, Johnny makes the sudden decision to become a stowaway. Over half of this book takes place at the Savoy, and the action aboard the doomed ship speeds by almost too quickly for readers to find their sea legs. Perhaps advisably, there is little awe or terror in Morpurgo's language ("we knew now we were going down with her"), though Foreman's black-and-white sketches communicate plenty of grandeur and horror. Overall, this is a hopeful book about a hopeless tragedy and a fine introduction to a perennially discussed topic. Copyright 2012 Booklist Reviews.

Former British children's laureate Morpurgo (War Horse) offers a sweet, touching historical novel (published in the U.K. in 2008) that balances sentimentality with humor and action. The orphaned 14-year-old narrator, Johnny Trott, a put-upon bellhop at a London hotel, becomes the caretaker of the titular cat after the sudden death of Kaspar's owner, the opera singer Countess Kandinsky. As Johnny attempts to hide his new charge from the hotel's malicious head housekeeper, Mrs. Blaise (nicknamed "Skullface"), he worries that Kaspar is pining for his late owner. Kaspar cheers up when he meets Lizziebeth, a girl who instantly takes to the cat. Morpurgo keeps the action moving swiftly, with new characters and concerns shoring up the fast friendship that forms between the two teenagers (and the cat they love). Readers might find the title misleading—only about a third of the story takes place on board the Titanic, although it certainly represents the tensest part of the novel—but the story is more than enjoyable enough to compensate, with Foreman's delicately detailed spot art contributing to the book's strong sense of atmosphere. Ages 8–12. (Mar.)

Gr 2–5—Despite the title, this is really the story of a bell boy at the ritzy Savoy Hotel in London. Kaspar arrives with a wealthy Russian singer, and, after her tragic death, Johnny Trott takes care of him even though he is not allowed any pets in his room. Elizabeth Stanton, the young daughter of rich Americans, and her family are staying at the Savoy until they sail home. After accompanying the Stantons to the ship and giving Kaspar to Lizziebeth, Johnny makes a rash decision to stow away. He is rapidly discovered and put to work in the engine room stoking the big furnaces. When the iceberg is hit, Johnny goes to wake the Stantons and helps to rescue Kaspar and get him on a lifeboat. All three Stantons, Kaspar, and Johnny survive the disaster and Johnny is adopted by the family. There is nothing remarkable about this story to make it stand out from among the other offerings commemorating the famous disaster. The characters are likable, but almost caricatures; for instance, the matron in charge is called "Skullface" by the children because she is mean and angry. Foreman's black-and-white illustrations, many full page, help accentuate the narrative, and short sentences, adequate white space, and the medium-size text will aid readers who are transitioning to more challenging chapter books. However, the nostalgic, humdrum story may not captivate their interest.—Amy Commers, South St. Paul Public Library, MN