Kateri O'Leary and the Computer Mouse

Eleven-year-old Kateri just wants to fit in but her red hair freckles and rhyming name make her stand out like a sore thumb. Shes already grappling with a new home a new school and a bully named Clive. Then her pet mouse Murphy goes AWOL at school leaving chaos in his wake.As her best friend back home replaces her with a newcomer the timeline ticks on a school project and Clive pushes Kateri to the breaking point. Her new neighbours cant stand rodents her parents are strapped for cash and her mom is over-protective. Can things possibly get any worse? Only time will tell....and time is running out!Review: A delightful and insightful story for 8-12 year-olds. They say it takes a village...but young Kateri (rhymes with OLeary) wishes it wasnt one called Haven Harbour far from her friends in the big city. In Shirley Martins playful hands a diverse cast of characters and a sweetly mischievous plot are kept rolling with a runaway mouse leading the way to understanding and acceptance at last. Caroline Woodward author of Singing Away the Dark The Village of Many Hats and A West Coast Summer for children and other books for adults.