Katie the Catsitter

It is quickly evident that Katie and her mom do not have a lot of money. How does Katie’s social class impact her beyond not being able to go to summer camp?

Both superheroes that appear in the novel—the Eastern Screech and Cold Hands—are self-absorbed, narcissistic, and bad at their job. What is the novel suggesting by depicting superheroes in this fashion? How do they contrast with the Mousetress, who is labeled as a supervillain by most?

Is the Mousetress morally justified in her radical actions? Why does Ms. Lang feel the need to engage in vigilantism while also fighting for animal rights as a social activist by day?

Ms. Lang’s 217 highly intelligent cats play a central role in the novel. Beyond providing some comedic relief, what do the cats represent and how do they fit into the text’s broader themes about animal rights?

At its core, Katie the Catsitter is a coming-of-age novel. What are some of the ways Katie changes over the course of the novel? Provide two or three specific examples and explore the factors that precipitated the change.

Why does Katie refuse Bethany’s mother’s offer to pay for camp? What does it say about her character? Do you think Katie and Bethany’s relationship would have deteriorated the same way if Katie had gone to camp for a week?

The novel is told exclusively from Katie’s perspective. How does this influence the way readers might interpret her friendship with Bethany? How might Bethany feel about their changing relationship? Write a diary entry about this from Bethany’s point of view.

How do the novel’s illustrations interact with the text? Pick two or three examples where visuals provide further insight into what is going on thematically, symbolically, or narratively.