Nothing is as it first appears in this book, least of all fuzzy kittens.

Cassie’s father always told her that all she had to do was work hard and the universe would work things out for her in the end. That was until her father died and her mother threw herself into her work as she grieved, essentially leaving Cassie alone to raise herself. Even her best friend decides to move on and hang out with the popular crowd instead of Cassie. Cassie volunteers at the library, the only place where she can forget about all her troubles. But the school's weird outcast kid, Joe Robinson, always volunteers there too and Cassie isn't keen to sharing the space with him when she wants to be alone.

As Joe and Cassie leave the library they are caught in a strange storm. After the storm passes they discover a tiny kitten in a dumpster and Cassie takes him home. Albert, the kitten, is a little strange. For such a tiny kitten he is very strong, and she even sees him breathing smoke. Then a mysterious symbol appears on her door and she and Joe must figure out what it means. But Albert is no kitten, he is actually a dragon and he is in danger. Only Cassie can help him. All Cassie wants is to keep him safe but she will have to face down a terrifying enemy in order to protect the ones she loves.

This was a beautiful story with subtle underlying themes about the grieving process. It is a fun fantasy adventure for middle grade readers but there are powerful lessons on healing and family interwoven into the suspense and action.

Oh, what a lovely book. A nice gently fantasy with dragons as cats and friendships and storms. This is one of the best I've read in awhile and I look forward to the next adventure of Albert, Cassie, & Joe.

I was not fully prepared for the odd assortment of plot details here. Bullying, grief, weird weather, and a cat that is actually a dragon. The plot follows it's own internal logic pretty closely, each event having a direct effect on the things that follow. It's just may be a bit too odd for the average reader.

This story was unexpected! I thought this was a story about a girl finding her way after the loss of her dad, and it is. But it is also the story of a girl finding a dragon! And it is only the beginning of a story about friendship, dragons, and other worlds. I really enjoyed following Cassie & Joe's friendship develop, as well as Cassie learning what it means to have and be a true friend after previous not-so-great friendships. Children will fall in love with Albert and be eager to find out what happens to him next in this middle grades mystery that is perfect for elementary students, with a fast pace and lots of action.