Cat Crimes and Wannabes: 6th Grade Revengers, Book 1 is an adventure novel for children and preteens written by Steven Whibley. Jared and his best friend, Marcus, have started up their own agency, the Revengers. They will solve anyone’s problem and settle scores for those who can’t do it themselves. It’s a big job for two eleven-year-olds to take on, but between Jared’s resourcefulness and Marcus’s tech savvy, they soon have a respectable website and their first customer. Evil Cat has been terrorizing Oak Street. This large, red cat is angry and ready to take on anything and anybody unfortunate enough to be in its path. One girl’s bicycle tires were shredded by the furious feline. But Jared and Marcus are sure that they’re more than a match for some house cat, that is, until they arrive on Oak Street and see Evil Cat in person, glaring at them and getting ready to charge. They’ll need every bit of ingenuity and cunning they can muster to help their first client, or they’ll get very scratched up trying.

Steven Whibley’s adventure novel for children and preteens, Cat Crimes and Wannabes: 6th Grade Revengers, Book 1, features two kids who are determined to go to spy camp, even though their parents have said they must pay for it themselves. And so, they create the Revengers, inspired by a show Jared saw about a former spy who helped those in need. I instantly thought of Edward Woodward as The Equalizer, a favorite action hero of mine, as I read of Jared’s plan, and couldn’t help but think his plan a worthy one indeed. Their first assignment is a tough one, and reading as they gamely attempt one plan after another to capture and remove Evil Cat is loads of fun. Whibley’s story is fast-paced, action-packed, and very entertaining, and it’s highly recommended for children of all ages.

Cat Crimes and Wannabes is a beautiful and enjoyable first entry in the 6th Grade Revengers series by Steven Whibley, a stunning adventure that seems to have just begun. Readers are introduced to two skilled eleven-year kids who are out to prove themselves as tough and dependable. You can call them fixers, revengers, or problem solvers, but Marcus and Jared are out to put people in their place, especially people like the boyfriend of Jared’s sister. But then there is the cat that disturbs everyone in the neighborhood and needs some form of taming – or correction. Are they up to the task of handling a sister’s jerky boyfriend and a stray and menacing cat? It’s time to prove what they are worth.

Cat Crimes and Wannabes is well written, with very colorful prose. The story is told from a child’s perspective and the author lets the narrative voice come across creatively. There are very vivid descriptions intermingled with engaging, funny-at-times dialogue that makes the plot move faster. Many children will identify with the characters, and Jared and Marcus will undoubtedly symbolize the hopes and fears of children their age. I loved the way they are developed and how their sense of responsibility seems to outgrow the sheer desire for revenge. The plot is fast paced and it has its own surprises. The book length is just perfect, a quick read that won’t leave youngsters bored. Steven Whibley creates stories and characters that young readers will love to follow. I recommend this book without the slightest hesitation.

Cat Crimes and Wannabes by Steven Whibley is a fun and engaging story for children. Eleven-year-old Jared has a great idea for a “business” and enlists the help of his school mate, Marcus, to set up Revengers. Before long, their help is enlisted in getting rid of Evil Cat – a creature terrorizing the neighborhood. Jared has an idea of how to get his older sister’s hopeless boyfriend, Gunner, to move on too. But the boys find that their efforts have a way of backfiring and not going to plan, and the results of their brave and hilarious interventions aren’t exactly what they intended.

Cat Crimes and Wannabes is a delightful and entertaining read. The book is well-written and the plot moves along at a good pace. The opening sets the scene well, introducing the main characters, the dilemmas Jared feels need resolving, and his great idea. Young readers will empathize with his frustration and I think they will love the idea of Revengers who sort things out when no one else can. Jared and Marcus are enterprising and adventurous boys and I liked their intentions of wanting to help others.

Steven Whibley weaves an important and interesting message into his story: while the Revengers seek to change situations, they learn that there are always reasons behind behaviours and that things are not always what they may appear to be on the surface. There is a good message about understanding others too – the boys might not like Gunner very much, but then they find that his talent and unique personality are actually just right for the ambition he has. Some black and white illustrations are included and complement the story nicely. A fun story with a good message.

Cat Crimes and Wannabes (6th Grade Revengers Book 1) by Steven Whibley will appeal most to children aged six through twelve. The story follows two eleven-year-old boys, Jared and Marcus, who call themselves the Revengers; together they work to fill their spy camp fund by fixing the problems of others for profit. Their first missions are to deal with Jared’s older sister’s boyfriend (who is a bit of a jerk) and a monster cat that is terrorizing the neighborhood.

There are two new fixers in town and their names are Jared and Marcus; together they can fix or solve any problem! Cat Crimes and Wannabes (6th Grade Revengers Book 1) by Steven Whibley begins with Jared pretending to kill the boogeyman hiding in his younger sister’s closet. This one heroic action leads to the creation of the Revengers. I really liked how the book began with such a simple and yet heartfelt act of sibling love. I liked the fact that Cat Crimes and Wannabes had some illustrations as children often prefer books with pictures in them; the first picture in the book is a sketch of Jared brainstorming and coming up with the idea of the Revengers! Cat Crimes and Wannabes by Steven Whibley is well written and has a simple plot that will pull children in without confusing them. I liked the fact that the author kept all the words and concepts age appropriate.