The Batchelder Award is for an outstanding children's book published in a foreign language and translated to English then published. THE CAT: OR, HOW I LOST ETERNITY by Jutta Richter won the award. I am assuming by the words used in the book, the language referred to, and the characters' names that this book was originally written in German.
Christine, a third grader, is always late to school. Christine obviously struggles in school, she can't count past thirty, and is always wondering about eternity. Christine stops to have in depth discussions with an old, white cat. The cat looks at the occurrences in the world in a bitter manner. The cat tells her eating mice will help her learn to count. Christine starts to feel pity for the lonely neighbor and a teased boy from class, but the cat hates the neighbor. When the cat "argues" with Christine about what she learned in religion class, Christine finally realizes the cat is not that wise and is cruel, and she starts to make her own decisions about what she believes is right and wrong.
Interesting book to read to the older students and build a discussion on why Christine abandons her friendship with the cat. It could also be a discussion starter for differences in people and accepting those differences, making a difference in the world. I believe the students would enjoy knowing that this book was originally written in German and compare the way it is written with writing of our authors.
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