Eleven-year-old Duncan McKay has a marvelous gift: he can speak Cat, and he enjoys secrets, jokes, and adventures with furry friends all over his fishing village. He has other talents, too, from scholastics to swordplay, that his protective mother wants him to keep hidden. And above all, she wants him to stay away from the harbor. But when kittens start disappearing all over the island, Duncan winds up on the wharf, where he encounters a mysterious earl and is soon swept away on a sea voyage. With the help of a mischievous kitten with mismatched eyes, he may just find answers to the questions he has been asking all his life. This is an enjoyable series starter from Jonell, best known for her Emmy series (Emmy and the Rats in the Belfry, 2011). While the seafaring scenes are nicely detailed, and life on the boat is vividly shown, the talking cats, entertaining and full of personality, are the best part. A cross between Treasure Island and Erin Hunter's popular Warriors series that should please fans of both.

Gr 4-6 Duncan has secretsthe ones his mother makes him keep include purposefully getting answers wrong on tests to keep his grades down and never taking his cap off in public. Then there's the one he guards even from his motherDuncan knows how to speak cat. On the day he goes against his mother's wishes and gets a perfect score on the national exams and doffs his hat to a national hero, Duncan finds himself kidnapped and sailing to the edge of his island kingdom. With the help of a stowaway kitten, Duncan discovers that national heroes can be traitors and his mother's secrets were protecting his true identity. Now it's up to Duncan to save a presumed-dead princess and their kingdom. Astute readers will figure things out before Duncan does but will read on to discover how he survives against dastardly villains. Duncan's ability to talk to cats helps him gain vital information but also provides humorous insight into the inner lives of felines—kittens need to take examinations to get their explorer's license and cats have a numbered list of tricks, including Cat Trick Bringing Disgusting Gifts. VERDICT With a classic fairy tale-esque feel, this high seas adventure of discovery and betrayal is a good bet for advanced readers who are ready for longer, more challenging books, but not more mature content.— Jennifer Rothschild, Arlington County Public Libraries, VA

Duncan McKay is an ordinary boy, completely unexceptional in every way possible. Duncan has been careful to maintain that perception of mediocrity for his mother's sake, but he does not understand why his mother is so adamant that he does. From the first page, it is obvious to the reader that Duncan is, in fact, extraordinary. Not only does he speak cat language fluently, he is nervous that his report card will upset his mother because his grades are too good. Duncan's mother has reason to try to keep Duncan unnoticeable; she seeks to protect him from the knowledge of their mysterious past and to keep his very existence secret. Being unaware of the truth of his father's tragic death, however, leaves him vulnerable in an unexpected way. Duncan comes to trust the one person who is the biggest threat to his life, a villain who has cultivated the appearance of a hero.This is an engaging story of friendship, high seas adventure, and bravery with themes echoing Harry Potter, Treasure Island, and the Warrior cats. It is a story of looking past appearances to discern who is and who is not what they seem to be. It is a story of balancing being true to yourself and being true to your destiny.Debbie Kirchhoff.