This playful memoir of a cat who dreams big is a nod to the best and worst sides of the movie biz. Mr. Puffball chases his dream to become an actor, eventually becoming stunt cat for his idol, El Gato, whose flaws (and claws) come out. Cat puns and silly comics-style illustrations compensate for the obscure Old Hollywood references (explained in a glossary).

Gr 4-6 Mr. Puffball is a medium-sized feline who knew he was different even when he was a mere kitten. After watching the old movie Cow-Cat &; Aliens , which stars the world's greatest movie star, El Gato, he realizes his destinyto be a Movie Star Actor. Readers follow Mr. Puffball on his cross-country trip to Hollywood where he ends up at Purramount Studios. Here he "catapults" himself into the next best thing to being a famous movie star: stunt cat to his movie star hero, El Gato, who turns out to be different from what Mr. Puffball expected. The text is accompanied by humorous black-and-white line drawings. Though the story line and design hint at a younger audience, the narrative is too long for the chapter book crowd. There are places where the pacing slows and many readers will lose interest. The scenes where El Gato pranks Mr. Puffball or loses his temper drag on a bit too long. Although the book ends with a good message, "it's not the whiskers that make the cat, it's what we do with them," it takes a committed reader to reach the end. VERDICT This title is best suited for middle grade readers who appreciate animal fantasies, stories about Hollywood trials and triumphs, and humorous cat drawings. Paula Huddy, The Blake School-Highcroft Campus, Wayzata, MN