Kelsey helps catch a runaway zorse (horse + zebra) with the help of the nicest and most popular girl in school, Becca. The two are walking home when they happen upon a litter of kittens trapped in a dumpster and Leo is the only person around who can help get them out. The three unlikely friends decide to work together to help solve animal crimes with their secret club. Gr 3–5—Kelsey Case wants to be a detective. She has a spy backpack full of supplies and she's read Harriet the Spy. Now all she needs is a case. When Kelsey, Becca Morales, and Leo Polansky discover newborn kittens stuffed into a trash can, she knows she's found her mystery and maybe even a new best friend. The trio quickly hide the kittens in an old shed and form the Curious Cat Spy Club to find out who dumped the kittens and why. With red herrings, lots of twists and turns, and adventure, this caper is sure to keep kids entertained. VERDICT A fun mystery series that's a sure bet for animal lovers, recommended to fans of Jane O'Connor's "Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth" series (HarperCollins) who are ready for something a bit longer and ever-so-slightly darker.—Terry Ann Lawler, Burton Barr Library, Phoenix, AZ Linda Joy Singleton is the author of thirty-five books for children and young adults including YALSA-honored The Seer series and the Dead Girl trilogy. She lives in California. The Curious Cat Spy Club By Linda Joy Singleton Albert Whitman & Company Copyright © 2015 Linda Joy Singleton All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-8075-1376-7 Contents Chapter 1: Dumped, Chapter 2: Alley Cats, Chapter 3: Mews and Clues, Chapter 4: Shack Attack, Chapter 5: The Zorse's Tale, Chapter 6: Kelsey the Spy, Chapter 7: Secret Friends, Chapter 8: A Fishy Clue, Chapter 9: Mis-Stake-Out, Chapter 10: Dog Gone, Chapter 11: Bird-Drone Blast-Off, Chapter 12: Clue or Coincidence?, Chapter 13: Wild Times at Wild Oaks, Chapter 14: Lost and Found, Chapter 15: Secrets and Lies, Chapter 16: Grave Suspicions, Chapter 17: Spies and Lies, Chapter 18: Accusations, Chapter 19: Cat-Tastrophe, Chapter 20: Follow That Pet-Napper!, Chapter 21: Mysterious Mama Cat, Chapter 22: What Kelsey Found, Chapter 23: Guilty and Innocent, Chapter 24: Caged, Chapter 25: Rescue, Chapter 26: Interrogated, Chapter 27: A Little Bit of Justice, CHAPTER 1 Dumped What's black and white and runs through traffic? A runaway zebra. This isn't a joke — it's really happening! I'm waiting at the crosswalk and almost stumble off the curb when black-and-white stripes gallop through a red light. Cars honk, tires screech and someone screams. I jump away from the curb with a gasp. What's a zebra doing on Pleasant Street? "Stop that zorse!" a girl shouts, her pink-streaked hair flying behind her like a tail as she chases after the galloping beast. I'm not sure if I'm more shocked to see a runaway zebra or to recognize the girl from Helen Corning Middle School. Becca Morales sits in front of me in science so I stare at the back of her head Monday through Friday, quietly wishing she'd turn around to talk to me. I love how the pink streaks shimmer in her black hair so much that once I pink-streaked my golden-brown hair. But no one even noticed. "Stop that zorse!" Becca shouts again. I look around, hoping someone will help her. But people are diving off the sidewalk into stores, rushing to safety. The zebra ... or zorse ... weaves wildly through traffic, skidding to avoid a truck. He whinnies, rears up, and runs toward the sidewalk where I'm standing. Clutching my backpack with its sweet-smelling bag inside, I think about running for safety too. I could duck into O'Hara Realty or hide behind a large postal box. But when I hear Becca's panicked shouts, I remember when my pen ran out of ink and she turned around with a generous smile and offered me her glitter-tipped pink pen. And she let me keep it. I get an idea and quickly unzip my backpack. As I reach inside and grab a paper bag, I hear hooves clattering toward me. "Stop!" I yell, which really doesn't do much to slow the zorse. Becca is yelling too. "Kelsey! Get out of the way!" I should take cover but instead I stand there, grinning. Becca Morales, the nicest and most liked girl at school, remembers my name. Wow. The zorse suddenly stops a few feet from me, eyes wide and wild as cars honk and swerve into a jumbled traffic jam. Before he can bolt again, I reach into the paper bag and then plunge into the street with my hand held out to the trembling animal. "Here, zorsey," I yell over the commotion, but gentle and soothing, like when our dog, Handsome, used to freak out during storms and hide in the closet. That was before we moved into a no-pets apartment and Handsome moved in with Gran Nola. "Come and get the yummy treat," I singsong, hoping the zorse likes my dad's homemade oatmeal-carrot cookies. Up close to this amazing creature, I admire his long, curly lashes. His eyes are gorgeous! Shiny, black, and