Mike and a Lynx Named Kitty

by Mike Kerr

Imagine cold winters, rough seas, and narrow escapes living in an Alaskan fishing village. The forested island, surrounded by ocean, is where Mike discovers a lynx kitten who soon becomes a cherished... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1931195366
• ISBN13: 9781931195362
• Release Date: July 2003
• Publisher: Kiwe Publishing
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.0" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Mike and a Lynx Named Kitty

Mike Kerr handles the story of his lynx friend in an unusual manner. It appears that he spent his long and rewarding lifetime with the story ruminating in the back of his mind, condensing the very essence of their relationship. Where other writers adorn a story with rambling descriptions of the terrain and the characters, Kerr carves away all extraneous material, understating the enduring bond between the boy and the lynx. In the simplicity of his work, we feel his tentative joy in discovery of the baby lynx. That joy grows full-blown, though mixed with responsibility added to his other duties, when he realizes he must raise the orphaned babe if it is to survive. We feel his anxiety when the worlds of civilization and wilderness clash with unforeseeable results, and the pain of betrayal when the lynx reaches out to another human in friendship and meets fear and hatred. Others have mentioned this as a book for children, and there are strong moral reasons for that use. I would like to see it used as a text for adult remedial reading, and for English as a Second Language (ESL) because of the cultural discord. Maturity is needed to wring the full depth of Kerr's message of winning devotion by freely giving love enough to let the respondent make his own choices. I feel Kerr reads between the lines of the Alaska experience for us much as Eudora Welty interpreted the spirit of the South, and hope he continues writing.

True to Life Adventures in Kodiak, Alaska

Mike Kerr has taken experiences from his life, growing up in a fishing community in Alaska, and adapted them to an exciting and heartwarming novel for young readers, preteen through young adult. Mike has incorporated the values of friendship, family relationships, and the importance of making good life choices. Mike tells of harrowing experiences while hunting and fishing with his father near Kodiak, Alaska. On one of these fishing trips Mike found an orphaned lynx. He called her Kitty. For two year Mike and Kitty became close companions. On one occasion Kitty saved the life of a young girl and became a hero in the small fishing community. Mike understood from the time he took Kitty home that the day must come when he would return to the forest. As the story unfolds Kitty and Mike mature together and follow life choices that are best for them. Over the years their paths cross two more times. The story covers a period from pre world war two days through Korean War. Mike Kerr instills a respect for nature, a challenge to assume responsibility, and the importance of family life through Young Mike's example, in this fast paced story. Illustrations drawn by Karren Vitt help make the story come alive on the pages. This is a book that can be easily adapted for read-aloud family time reading. It is a book for young nature and animal lovers. The story is filled with lessons drawn from nature and from life experiences. This is a book for the home or school library. Highly recommended.

Review of Mike and a Lynx Named Kitty

I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be heart-warming and inspiring. I am a librarian and am going to recommend it to all of my young patrons! I plan to read it to both of my daughters and know that it will become a family favorite.

Review for Mike and a Lynx Named Kitty

This was a great story of friendship and life. I feel it is a good book for all young children. In the short story it conveyed a great deal about life in a very family orientated way. Wonderful book. J Hass DVM

Mike and a Lynx Named Kitty

This is a very good book for children and young adults. It is easy to read and keeps your interest. A true life story about a young boy and his adventures in Kodiak, Alaska. It details the maturing of this young boy into a young man through his friendship with a wild lynx he named Kitty. The parallels between these two friends and their maturing are uncanny. An adventure for sure!