I did not remember requesting this book but I must have done it, and it appeared on my netgalley shelf recently. Unfortunately, I did not connect with it and thought some characters were truly irritating and hurtful. I did appreciate the cat and the ouija board moments, but the rest? Not so much.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I LOVED this! Our teens have really enjoyed it as well as I have recommended it multiple times after reading it here.

Thanks to NetGalley for sending me an eARC of Alice the Cat in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Tess is a young teenager who is sadly learning how to navigate grief after losing her mother. Her father is in his own state of grief and unable to tend to Tess, and her beloved cat Alice is causing trouble. Tess attempts to seek solace by running away with her cat, leading her to find friendship in someone she'd never expect.

This was heartbreakingly lovely. The author manages to include the feelings you experience through the stages of grief (depression, anger), all while including moments of humor and hopefulness. I would highly recommend this book for preteen kids, and really, all ages - I thoroughly enjoyed this.

TW: Death of a parent, sick pet/pet loss, depression, mention of suicide, cancer

Be warned – this book is absolutely heartbreaking! I cried and cried!

Everything that can go wrong seems to have gone wrong for the poor main character, Tess, and her beloved cat being lured by a ghost feels like the last straw, tipping her into going on the run in a desperate attempt to keep hold of the one loved one she has left. And while attempting to run and hide from unpleasant realities, Tess meets some unusual new friends: brain-injured Eddie; sweet stalker Cotter; Goth couple Dami and Lunar; and the aforementioned ghostly cat-poacher.

So, this is a coming of age story about dealing with loss and the ensuing trauma, anger and bewilderment it leaves behind. All of the characters are wonderfully drawn and instantly compelling and the writing plunges you deep into Tess’s grief and keeps you immersed there with her, holding your breath that you will both surface by the end of the story.

The supernatural elements are neatly woven in with the realism of the emotion and characters and are, in turns, scary, clever and comforting. And while nothing is ‘all fixed’ by the end of the book (again, realism) there is hope that Tess is on a brighter, healing path.

I couldn’t stop turning the pages and was rooting for Tess, Alice and co. all the way, and although I did cry a lot, they were cathartic tears that left me with a warm, comforted glow when I finally put the book down.

Alice the Cat is an exceptional and emotionally charged story that masterfully explores the intricate landscape of grief. I stumbled upon this book during a period of my life marked by the loss of my father and the responsibility of caring for a mother grappling with dementia. Despite the passage of time since my father's passing in 2020, the weight of grief lingers. However, "Alice the Cat" is far from a relentless journey of sorrow. It deftly weaves elements of mystery, humor, and an abundance of love into its storytelling tapestry.

As we follow Tess on her journey, the narrative is punctuated with surprising twists, including her encounters with a ghost who shares her penchant for anger. This journey is one that tugs at the heartstrings and continually piques curiosity. Ultimately, it guides Tess toward a place of inner peace and acceptance. The story is profoundly moving and concludes on an uplifting note, with Tess emerging with newfound self-awareness and resilience to move forward in life.

Throughout the book, the author employs unique and vivid imagery to depict the emotions and processes of grief. Metaphors such as the spider across Tess's heart, the wart toad in her belly, and the imagery of steam and erupting lava enrich the narrative. "Alice the Cat" is not solely a narrative of grief; it's a beautifully woven tapestry of personal growth, featuring a captivating cast of characters. From Lunar and Dami to Cotter, Eddie, Alice, and Francine, the secondary characters are as engaging as Tess herself. I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically endorse "Alice the Cat." It's a literary masterpiece that delves into the profound depths of grief, the complexities of growing up, and the enduring strength of love, all wrapped in an engaging and exquisitely crafted narrative.

This was an interesting take on dealing with loss, grief, the aftermath of a loss and changes from puberty. Tess' mom recently passed away from breast cancer, her father is still mired in grief, and Alice, her cat, is suicidal. Tess decides to run away to save Alice and see if her dad will escape his zombie-like state. It's a moving story and details how much Tess is truly working through to get past her grief and to be able to work through her grief with her dad.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Tess is having a very bad day. She is vexed by things a thirteen year old girl must go through, her mother has died recently and her father’s way of coping is to turn into a sad zombie and now Alice, the cat she shared with her mother, is doing some very strange and alarming things. Tess constantly feels like she is going explode with rage and decides the only way to survive is run away with Alice. But Alice is very ill and things do not go as Tess had planned.

In fact, there are many surprises in store for her including an encounter with a ghost who has almost as many anger issues as Tess. It is a sometimes heartbreaking and always interesting journey that Tess takes that will bring her peace and acceptance. The story is quite moving and ends on an optimistic note. With new self awareness, Tess is more empowered to move forward with her life.

Four purrs and two paws up.

This is a good middle grade book that tackles topics like death, disability, and processing one's complex emotions. The way these topics are discussed is in a very interesting and wonderful story. All in all it is a quick read but overall was just an okay book.

Alice the cat is suicidal. Tess (Alice's human) needs to figure out why and how to help her.

This is a heartwarming story with a lot of themes. Found family, grief, disability, and neglect.

I thought it was ok. Not great. I liked Tess and her friends, they were humorous at times.

Whilst recovering from the death of her mother Tess has to deal with a suicidal cat!

There is much to unpack in Tim Cumming’s quirky Alice the Cat, some which is positive but other aspects I struggled with. Amazon UK lists the book for ages 9-12, Amazon USA contradicts this with ‘twelve years and up’, with even more differing age quotes elsewhere online. The language used is often very juvenile and is lower Middle Grade, however, because the book is so heavily centred around death, more sensitive younger children might struggle with it and that pushes the reader age up slightly. Ultimately it is tricky to pinpoint this book’s genuine audience.

Alice the Cat begins several months after the death of almost-thirteen-year-old Tess’s mother and although the writing style is kept light there is no getting away from the fact the themes surrounding cancer is bleak stuff. Tess also struggles getting along with her father, whom he calls a ‘zombie’ and is obviously grieving in his own way, with the pair failing to connect. Overcoming grief is one of the overarching themes of the novel and although the father and daughter get there in the end, it is a tough journey with plenty of bumps in the road.

Considering the book is called Alice the Cat, Tess’s pet is barely present but represents a strong connection with her dead mother, who adored the creature. Early in the novel the cat runs in front of a neighbour’s car and almost causes a serious accident, thinking it was deliberate, Tess believes her cat is suicidal and will go to any lengths to save the animal, no matter what other chaos she causes (a lot!) along the way. Suicide is not a subject which pops up in Middle Grade fiction too often and needs to be handled incredibly sensitively (even with animals) and I was unconvinced the tone hit the mark.

Tess stumbles upon a group of teenagers hiding out in the local haunted house performing séances and discovers that the house’s 150-year-old ghost desperately wants a cat to care for in the afterlife, and it has its sights apparently set on Alice. Tess believes that the ghost is in some way encouraging the cat to end her life prematurely and with the help of two unlikely friends attempts to save her cat, her dad and make peace with the ghost. The two friends were genuine fun, another kid who had a crush on her (Cotter) and a much older boy (Eddie) who had an acquired brain injury from an unexplained baseball injury some years earlier. The scenes featuring the three provide many of the story’s lighter moments and highlight the fact that Tess is not that easy to get along with and her personal problems become more obvious.

This was an accessible and realistic way of writing about grief, which dealt with emotional trauma and how support could be found in friendships. However, some of the scenes felt misplaced and I would question the need of the séance at all, it just felt unnecessary in this style of Middle Grade book, for the way in which Tess and the other characters contacted the ghost. Ultimately it was a very hopeful book in which anger was well portrayed and even though Tess had a slightly odd-ball personality, being different was okay too.

I did struggle with the language which is perhaps why the book has several different age ranges quoted. The slang used ranged from ridiculous to completely unbelievable, with words such as ‘buttnuggets,’ ‘freakiacs,’ and ‘crapballs’. This type of vocabulary made the narrative feel very childish whilst the subject matter felt a little too adult. I would also question the appropriateness of discussing the breast size of a twelve-year-old girl, as these types of body image discussions can come across as insensitive if they are not a necessary part of the story (it wasn’t).

I warmed to Tess as Alice the Cat progressed, with the book tackling very tough issues with humour and an easy-to-read style. Once Tess settled down she became more likable, but I also felt her two friends could have been fleshed out more fully, particularly with a backstory revealing more the brain injury. It is important to have relatable characters in Middle Grade novels and Tess will be attractive to many, even if they have never heard of the word ‘buttnuggets.’

A wacky story about grief and loss and moving on. Thank you, Net Gallery, for the advanced copy. I enjoyed the book and would recommend. It is the story of a girl who loses her mother and her cat and how she reacts then seeks help.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own

Alice the Cat brings out a lot if emotions. By the 4th or 5th chapter teared up more then once. It deals a lot with grief and the multiple ways one deals with is. Checking out.
zombie)anger and depression

They aside the imagery is phenomenal! Tom Cummings has found the sweet spot between non descriptive and over descriptive.

Alice the Cat is a beautiful book that is fun to read, even if you may cry.

This children's chapter book follows twelve year old Tess who recently lost her mother to cancer. The book deals with grief and anger issues, which Tess especially feels towards her father who has been acting like a zombie since his wife died. When he refuses to take their cat Alice to the vet, Tess decides to run away with her feline friend.

The story and writing was engaging, but things felt a bit all over the place with many characters and side-stories, including a pretty thin ghost story. It all comes together with a happy ending at least, and the main story is given most of center stage throughout.
Some references felt outdated for kids today and there were several instances that made me cringe a bit - this book could have used a sensitivity read-through. Like when the main character uses the word "fat" in a derogatory way, or when she's thinking about her own body.

Those factors lower my rating, but overall it's a book worth reading for kids (~11-14). There are some funny side-characters, some action and it's a bit scary which most kids love! It's an especially useful story for encouraging kids to talk about grief, and it leaves off on a positive note about the importance of family, friends and going to therapy if you need to.

Thank you to Regal House, Fitzroy Books and NetGalley for sharing an eARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

“Alice the Cat" by Tim Cummings is an intriguing novel that weaves together a tapestry of supernatural elements, emotional turmoil, and young love.

The protagonist, Tess, possesses a unique ability to communicate with spirits, opening up a fascinating realm of paranormal encounters. The author skillfully delves into Tess's journey of self-discovery as she navigates this extraordinary gift, which adds a touch of mystery and intrigue to the narrative. Readers will be drawn into the ethereal realm as Tess uncovers secrets and learns to harness her abilities.

The presence of Francine, an angry ghost, adds an extra layer of tension to the story. While the author does a passible job of portraying Francine’s emotions, capturing her torment and the unresolved issues that bind her to the earthly realm, the ultimate resolution felt somewhat rushed.

The heartbreaking loss of Tess’s mother and her father’s grief, which causes Tess to nickname him “the Zombie”, forms a poignant backdrop for the story. The author sensitively explores the impact of grief on individuals, and Tess’s journey toward healing deeply resonates.

Intertwined with the supernatural elements are the bonds of friendship and young love. Cotter, a quirky boy who harbors affection for Tess, adds a touch of innocence and levity to the story. His presence provides a sense of warmth and familiarity amid the book’s darker themes.

Eddie’s character, a 17-year-old with a traumatic brain injury, brings further depth to the narrative. The author handles Eddie’s storyline with care, highlighting the challenges, societal prejudices, and resilience associated with such an experience.

“Alice the Cat” is an engrossing read that seamlessly blends supernatural elements, emotional depth, and the complexities of human connections. Cummings’ skilled storytelling and well-developed characters make for a journey that will keep readers engaged until the very end. This book is a must-read for fans of paranormal fiction and those seeking a thought-provoking exploration of grief, love, and the supernatural.

It is a very accessible and realistic way to write about grief of a child. There are so many emotions and emotion overload in this book that made me want to hug our main protaganist. I am glad books like this exist to help children deal with grief and to let them know that it is okay that you are feeling angry, confused, lonely, all at the same time.

Very touching story that I will probably don't forget in a long time !
Maybe too short but I was 100% in the story.

What a delightful book. A lovely mix of hopefullness , emotional trauma around grief and finding support in friendship. I would highly recommend this book.

This was a fun read! I am very excited to bring it into the library for young readers, especially those who enjoy Erin Hunter.

Tess is an almost-thirteen-year-old girl just trying to save her suicidal cat while "zombie" dads, angry ghosts and even herself keep getting in the way.

What tropes, vibes and themes does this book include?
Themes of grief and understanding it in not only oneself, but in others around you. Generally, I could not pinpoint an exact vibe, but I guess you could give it a mystical or kind of spooky vibe.

Who should read this?
I suppose it's the right fit for anyone struggling with their own grief or someone else's.

What ages are appropriate?
This is classified as middle grade, but I do not recommend it for children under 10 or even 11 (even 12 if you're child is sensitive or you are strict about what they read).

Trigger warnings: ghosts, insensitivity to certain emotional and mental traumas, reference to drugs and sex, mild graphic description of gore (I use the term lightly), cancer and disease, (view spoiler), and a near constant mention of death and dying.

Review: ★★☆☆☆
For more than half of the book I just didn't like it at all. But I have to admit, Tess grew on me. Eventually. Let's get right to it.
The Ups:
Grief is a very serious topic that all children need to learn about at some point (if not through the death of a loved one, at least that of a pet). Understanding how it affects yourself and others is important so that they don't spiral out of control or shut down all together, and I think this book represented that very well. Unfortunately, that is all the good I can say for this one.
The Downs:
Of course, this is a matter of personal opinion. I am not the authority on you (or your children's) taste in books. Take what I say with a grain of salt.
From the first page, something felt off for me. And after reading some other reviews, it seems I am not alone in feeling uncomfortable with the very first page describing an underage girl's breast size, especially coming from a male author. But let's give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that Tess's self consciousness are due to what happened to her mother (view spoiler). The issue is we don't know that yet, so it just comes off as downright creepy.
I cannot begin to describe the "slang" and way of speaking used in this book. It drove me up a wall! I may not be a child anymore and haven't been for some time, but with social media these days one can understand how children talk, despite any generational gap. And it's not like this. Some offending words: buttnuggets, freakiacs, crapballs, gothies. Gothies. Borderline cringe. If it were just Tess, I could forgive it because she's a bit of weird kid. But the others children talked just as strange, like some artificial imitation of how kids are supposed to sound. If this book had been aimed at a younger audience, let's say 8 or 9, I could understand such silly words, but this book is upper middle grade. And I want upper middle grade to have a professional, well-written narrative. Not something so conversational and made-up it comes off as amateurish.
While the narrative felt childish, some of the subject matter felt a little too adult. Middle grade should present realities about life masked in a way children feel comfortable with. Those realities were slapped into this book raw. Death and dying drench this book, talk about sex and drugs, and even one instance where a 12 year old is accused of losing her virginity to an 18 year old. I don't believe that last one was meant seriously, but even just the implication did not feel appropriate. I like middle grade to be a bit more innocent. Save the harsh realities for later on in life.
As for the plot -- it wouldn't stay in one place. There were too many elements, and because of that none of them felt explored enough. Picking one could've solved this issue. Did this story need ghosts? Probably not, since they felt thrown in at the midpoint with no real build up. Which is odd since the ghost element felt like it had been so important by the end.
Conclusion:
With a little extra time and work, some plot reworking and polishing up, this book could've been a banger. If you're checking out reviews for your children, and you're not too worried about sensitive material, this might be a decent book for them to read. If you are simply an adult who is still a child at hear (like me!) than I suggest you move on.

i was really excited to read a middle grade novel that explores grief and how it can affect different people (and animals), but especially children. but there were some moments that left a bad impression, more specifically two where i almost put the book down.

the story opens with the main character talking about her breast size and how they were C-cups are twelve years old and not double Ds. this served no purpose later on in the story and was also just wildly inappropriate. young girls around that age are highly prone to body image issues, and already having the main character have C-cups was not a good idea. having the story start with talking about a child's breasts is so disgusting.

the second instance was when Tess says that depression is contagious. yes, i understand she's twelve and probably doesn't understand mental health. but the fact that an adult wrote this and was okay with showing this to children??? this entire dialogue exchange was so unnecessary and is so harmful to mental health discussions.

ultimately, i couldn't get over these two instances (as well as others but these two were the ones that stuck out most to me), and with them being towards the beginning of the story, it left such a terrible impression on me. i couldn't enjoy the rest of the story.