The Cat Ate My Gymsuit

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

A modern classic with issues that will be relevant always.

Marcy's life is a mess. Her parents don't understand her, she feelslike a fat blimp with no friends, and her favorite teacher just got fired. Ms. Finney wasn't like the other teachers, and she was helping Marcy feel good about being herself. Now that she's gone, Marcy doesn't know what to do. She's always thought things would be better if she could just lose weight, but the loss of Ms. Finney sparks something inside her. She decides to join the fight to bring back her teacher, and in doing so, she discovers that her voice might matter more than she ever realized.

Paula Danziger's novels are hilarious, genuine, and full of dynamic female characters that have won the hearts of her readers and turned her books into beloved classics. These playful covers full of charming details capture the spirit of Paula's stories and will brighten up the book­shelves of her fans and a new generation of readers.

Excerpt provided by Syndetics

Marcy Lewis has a lot to deal with--a clinging mother, an angry father, a lousy school situation, and the inescapable fact that she is fat. But when Ms. Barbara Finney arrives to take over Marcy's English class (the kids drove the previous teacher out) suddenly nothing in Marcy's life will ever be the same. Ms. Finney is bright, funny, creative--and, as far as the principal is concerned, more trouble than she is worth.What is a good teacher worth? How far will Marcy and her friends go to help Ms. Finney? And, what price will they pay for their beliefs?Funny yet painfully real The Cat Ate My Gymsuit turns on a cultural clash that is as relevant today as when it was written. A modern American classic, this beloved novel springs to vivid new life in this brilliant full-cast recording.SPECIAL FEATURE: An afterword from Paula Danziger herself, telling how she came to Write The Cat Ate My Gymsuit Excerpted from The Cat Ate My Gymsuit by Paula Danziger All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

School Library Journal Review

Gr 4-7-Misunderstood, overweight, and convinced that she'll never get a date, Marcy Lewis wants nothing more than to be "normal." Her admiration and defense of Ms. Finney, an outspoken English teachers with the courage of her convictions, provides a way for Marcy to reexamine what's imporant to her and to stand up for what she believes. First published in 1974, Paula Danziger's compassionate and accurate portrayal of a young girl struggling to find her own voice rings as true today as it did 30 years ago. A full cast brings this modern American classic of teenage angst t life with humor and pathos. In an afterword, Danziger explains how she came to write this novel.-Cindy Lombardo, Tuscarawas County Public Library, New Philadelphia, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Booklist Review

Gr. 5-7. Thirteen-year-old Mary feels fat and unattractive until an understanding teacher helps her gain self-confidence.

Kirkus Book Review

At its worst, this is a trite and trendy saga of how a junior high English class gets it together to fight for the job of Ms. Finney -- a paragon of an innovative teacher who puts across dangling participles and sensitivity sessions with equal ease. The only relief from cliche is the relationship between lumpish, insecure Marcy and her father -- a frustrated, angry, non-verbal man who can show his love only through providing food and shopping trips. The parent who can't communicate his love and concern is no doubt a more common problem than alcoholism or divorce, but he's seldom dealt with this forthrightly in contemporary stories, where parents, whatever their faults, are usually articulate. Marcy's tense family situation is really the subject here; the instant therapeutic effect of Ms. Finney, a sort of denim, skirted deus ex machina, is a cop-out. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.