Cages

by Peg Kehret

Kit never means to steal the bracelet; it is just a dumb mistake. But when she is caught Kit is sentenced to twenty hours of volunteer work at the humane society. Kit knows how it feels to be stuck in a cage like those animals and soon she begins to learn that the key to her own cage is right in front of her.

"Readers will relate to [Kit's] anguish and her spirit and courage." —Booklist

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Animals, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Dogs

150 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Peg Kehret writes middle grade fiction and nonfiction. She's won dozens of state children's choice awards, where kids vote for their favorite book.

When she was twelve, Peg was paralyzed with polio. Most of her protagonists are the age she was then.

A volunteer with animal rescue groups, three of Peg's books are co-authored by Pete the Cat."

Reviews

[Ellen Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you ever suddenly remember a book from your childhood?

So here I am, all snuggled in bed prepared for sleep, looking all sexy with my bite guard in, when it hits me like a memory brick.

THIS BOOK. I haven't thought about it in years! It was like one of those soap opera moments when a character has their memory returned to them and everything comes rushing back. I feel like I could bitch slap someone or accuse them of stealing my baby. MY MEMORIES WERE JUST RETURNED TO ME! I need dramatic music and a camera zoom!

I loved this book as a kid. I think I bought it at the book fair? I think we had some kind of system where good behavior earned points and I was a lil baby nerd so of course I had lots of points to buy books with. And a mini Dalmatian statue. I don't even know why that was an option, but I spent my hard earned behavior bucks on it.

I have no idea if this book is good by my standards today. I have no intention of rereading and spoiling my precious memories. But it was my shit as a kid.

Shoplifting!

Puppies!

Booze!

What else could a drama loving youngster ask for?

[Lizz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in 7th grade. It was the first book I cried over (shortly followed by Where the Red Fern Grows) and that really opened me up to the world of reading. Of course, I had always loved to read, but I never thought that a book could actually affect me like that. It made me realize the true potential that books have to affect our lives.

[Hiba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in 3rd grade and I remember absolutely loving it. I also remember my friends getting frustrated with me cux I wouldn't put it down. hehe. Good memories...

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, it's an 'issues' book, but very well-written. I enjoyed reading it and will look for more by the author. LFL find.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

just as good as when I read it in third grade

[Audrey Coyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giving myself credit for reading these chapters out loud to my students because there was no audiobook and I put a lot of passion in. A more difficult read topics for 12 year olds but sparked some great conversation!

[Jim Robles · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have shoplifters who appear before the Community Accountability Board read this and write a book report. I suspect that the literati do not consider this to be great literature, but I like it very much.

This one can, at least in part, be filed under "Stoic Philosophy."

The eleventh book I have finished this year.

[Bowen Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my fifth choice book fourth quarter. The main character is Kit. One day in Speech class, Kit had a big play and she signed up for the main part. Unfortunately, Kit didn't get to be the lead in the play. Instead, Marcia got the main part in the play. Kit was very mad about losing the lead in the school play. Kit also had a big speech and got a B on it. Mrs. Fenton knew Kit wasn't happy about the not getting the lead on the school play, so Mrs. Fenton told Kit that she just wanted Marcia to get a chance in the lead, not because Kit is not good at acting. Kit's stepfather, Wayne was crazy and fought with Kit. One day, Wayne was drunk and broke a binge, then hes make Kit clean it up. Another day, Marcia wanted to go to the mall with Kit and made Kit pick a bracelet out for her, which Kit did. Kit was also mad that Marcia bought a bracelet, so Kit decided to steal one. Afterwards, Kit got caught and her mom, Dorothy got noticed about it. Sergeant Adams made Kit go to court on Seven o' clock in April fifteen Kit and Dorothy didn't tell Wayne about Kit getting caught. At school, no one yet knew about it. Kit wasn't happy and her best friend, Tracy asked want happened but Kit didn't tell her. Later, Tracy had a hot air balloon birthday party and gave Kit an inventation. Unfortunately, the party was on five o'clock to nine o'clock on April fifteen. Kit said she had event on April fifteen on Seven o'clock, so she said she can't go. Tracy wasn't happy and wanted to know what event Kit had. Kit didn't Tracy. Later on April fifteen, Kit went to court and surprisingly, Mrs. Fenton was there. The court said that if Kit does twenty hours of work without earning money at The Human Society, her record of shoplifting will be erased. At school, Kit made posters of the play. Kit worked at The Humane Society by helping lost animals. There was a pet named Lady at The Humane Society that kit really wanted but Kit asked Wayne and he said no. Later when Kit worked at The Humane Society,the owner of the Humane Society said Lady died. Kit was very sad but still worked at The Humane Society and earned twenty hours. Later, Kit went to the court and got her record of shoplifting erased. Later in speech class, Kit had a big speech and wrote about shoplifting which she also told about how she shoplifted. Tracy heard Kit's speech and said that Kit should've told her about it. Kit was very brave saying her speech and Mrs. Fenton gave her an A on speech class and it was the only A Mrs. Fenton gave out that year.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was by far one of my favorite books when I was younger. Though our lives were very different, I felt I could relate to Kit and understand her choices.

The story is about Kit, a girl whose home life is difficult (an alcoholic, verbally abusive father). She loses her dream role in the school play to a girl who is (in Kit's view) spoiled, rich, and adored by her parents. Upset, and with things difficult at home, she goes to the mall to look around. While in a department store, she sees her "rival" with her parents, who are at the jewelry counter buying their daughter an expensive gold necklace to celebrate her part in the play. Kit, feeling jealous, and that life is simply not fair, steals a small gold bracelet from the counter. She is caught, and in youth court, is sentenced to do community service at a local animal shelter. She decides to keep all of this a secret from her best friend, which puts some strain on their relationship and helps explore aspects of trust and secrecy in a friendship. In another twist, part of the youth court program is to have volunteers from the community act as mentors for her, and one of them is the adult who Kit probably looks up to and respects the most - her school drama teacher.

The time spent volunteering and talking with other people at the shelter help her learn about life and how to deal with it's challenges, even though it isn't always fair. She learns to work with the disappointments she faces in better ways, and eventually finishes her time working at the shelter. The climax comes when she is assigned a final assignment in her drama class (taught by her drama teacher): a speech on "teen shoplifting" (the topic was randomly assigned). Kit has to decide what to say, whether to talk about her own experiences and risk losing the respect of her classmates and the trust of her best friend. She also, throughout the story, learns that her rival's life may not be everything it seems to be on the outside, and that those who "have it all" may be in as much need for friendship, love, and support, as others.

This is really a wonderful story. It deals with themes of friendship, trust, honesty, choices and consequences, finding good ways to deal with bad situations, and "redemption" of a person.

I'd recommend it for girls in grades 4 through 6 (ish).

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the end of the school year, Kit Hathaway must give a speech about shoplifting. She closes her speech with, "It's stupid to take such a chance." A boy in her class challenges this statement, and Kit isn't sure she's willing to explain herself. Can she admit that her speech was based on first-hand experience? Kit's mind goes back to the day she found her step-father on an alcoholic binge. She refused to pick up a glass he broke, and she leaves the house with his words, "nothing but a stupid little animal" ringing in her ears. Kit sought refuge at the mall where she stole a gold necklace. She was caught, and a court date was set. To Kit's shame, her speech teacher, Miss Fenton, was on the hearing committee. Kit received a sentence of 20 hours of community service at the Humane Society. Responsible for exercising and socializing with the dogs, she fell in love with Lady. When her step-father refused to let her adopt the dog, Lady was euthanized. Then her mother was operated on for acute appendicitis. On another binge, her step-father called Kit an animal. This time, she took it as a compliment. Kit realized that she was free to choose her thoughts and many of her actions. So, Kit defends her speech knowing that she will never be caged again. The book teaches a valuable lesson: a person is in charge of their own choices and attitudes. Kit is an appealing protagonist who will quickly gain your sympathy and, then, earn your respect.

[Marla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edgy book that deal with some ugly topics of shoplifting, drinking and unpleasant home situations for a young tween or teen reader.

Likes:
* Topic of shoplifting

* Supporting her friend's success
* Step parent issues
* Dealing with drinking binges
* Secrets of family problems
* Caring teacher, Miss Fenton
* Consequences of actions
* Reparations - Paying for other shoplifters
* Community service and reparations and 2 years probation would clear her record
* Kit recognizing Marcia's talent in play
* Kit helping with play
* DUI was another consequence of bad choices
* Tracy forgiving Kit
* Kit realizes that Marcia needed the lead in the play for her confidence
* Learning to take responsibility for your actions


Dislikes:

* Humane society putting dogs and cats down
* Treatment by her stepfather
* Kit's mother, Dorothy, submissive to stepfather, Wayne
* Main character shoplifting
* Kit not confiding in Tracy
* Kit would likely not get the 9th grade scholarship award
* Cool, overweight teacher is not married


With-reservations:
stealing, drinking binges, verbal abuse, euthanizing animals, DUI (driving under the influence)


Frankie:
lead character in the school play

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a sweet book! I liked it so much. This book was a short book that made me wonder. This book was a very meaningful book that readers will most likely enjoy. Cages was a wonderful book. A book that you should read in your life. What I really liked about this book was that it left me feel happy at the end. This book wasn't a happy book. However, the only feeling I felt in this book was happiness, courage, and joy.

This book was basically about Kit, a girl who makes a mistake. She messes up her life by stealing a bracelet from a shop. She now has to volunteer at the Humane Society where she realizes something important. Something that means a lot to her. I the author was trying to show through her writing that mistakes lead to problems. Kit felt exactly that way. I understand how Kit feels all caged up like the dogs at the Humane Society. They can't come out of their cage until they have the courage to. Kit has to lead her way out of her cage in order to feel free. However, finding the way isn't as easy as it sounds like. Throughout this book, a lot of drama happens that doesn't please Kit at all. Luckily, Kit makes it through and finds her way out of her cage. I hope that you read this book as soon as possible. I really recommend you this book.

[Regina Gifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

My fourth grade daughter and I read this book together; we each took turns reading a chapter at a time. The book had a Accelerated Reading score slightly above her level and I wanted to help push her along to more sophisticated chapter books.
Some of the subject matter introduced in the book might seem to be a little advanced for an elementary school aged child: personal jealousies and anger with friends, an alcoholic step-father, shoplifting, etc. However, I felt that the author did an excellent job of introducing these subjects and dealing with them honestly and compassionately. As a result, I was able to easily discuss some of the more complex issues in a way / framework that my child could understand and sympathize with.
The vocabulary in the book is fairly accessible for a child in late elementary school. There are one or two occurrences of swear words but nothing that could not be mentioned on prime time television.
We both enjoyed reading and discussing this book.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book messed me up in middle school, or possibly elementary. I was so excited to read about a girl who worked in an animal shelter (as "punishment," sure, because taking care of dogs definitely sounds like a negative consequence), but...

The whole situation of falling in love with a dog, only for it to be euthanized out from under her without warning when its time is up, kind of traumatized me. I don't actually remember hating the book, so I must have finished it and been impressed by its ability to come back from that, but I still think it's one of the saddest books in existence for children, and every so often I randomly remember it and feel my stomach twist.

[Angelina30x · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very good. It wasn't one of my favorites but I did enjoy reading it. It seemed like everything kept going wrong for Kit which makes people really relate to a book like this. Peg Kehret did a good job with the chararistics. I was able to visualize the events and people. Peg gave me a good understanding and feeling on how it is to live with a drunk stepdad or things turning out the way you havn't expected it to have turned out. It taught me that if you do bad actions theres bad consequences. After reading this, I would suggest anyone to read this book!

[Savannah B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kit Hathaway goes for the lead in the school play.When Kit does not make it in the school play she goes home to her drunken step father Wayne and her mother she calls Dorthy.when Wayne calls her an animal and brakes a glass on the floor, she has had it.Kit decides to go to the mall by her self and sees someone she does not wish to see.Kit gets arrested and someone does not want people to know.


I would recommend this book to sixth graders because it can teach you lessons you might need in the future.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading this book to 4th-6th grade students. It lends itself to many intriguing discussion. The book follows the plight of a young girl who impulsively shoplifts after an ugly scene at home with a drunken step-father. How she works through life's disappointments and finds her way out of several complicated situations rings true with children facing difficult life choices. A great study in character development.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be honest- I read this book because it was short and I was running out of time for the library summer reading program last summer. It was one of those books I owned, but had kind of forgotten about/looked past. But when I started reading, I was entirely pulled in! It's such an interesting, good story about how decisions affect us, and it's very well-written and realistic. The humor is hilarious, too. Five stars.

[Buzzword · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frustrated junior high-school student impulsively shoplifts and gets caught then is sentenced to provide public service at a local animal shelter. She must face her problems, including her alcoholic step-father and her mother's denial as she finds solutions to regain self-respect and hope for her future.

R.L. 660L
Classroom Use: Shared or Guided reading

10 copies available

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the first book ever that really made me sob. I hate that about it. I've only read it once. It's probably what's caused me to turn off to anything, books, movies, etc., that makes me cry. Like Atonement. Anyway, it's definatly wroth anyones time. Especially if you really need to cry. Cause it is sad.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main person is really a cool girl. She is a young girl that is fun but somehow is always getting in some kind of trouble. The book goes through lots of emotions as well. It goes from just knowing her to making her your friend to being disappointed in her to sad for her yet happy for her. I love this book and would read it ten more times!

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember that I read this in 5th or 6th grade and the memory has stayed with me all this time. I still think about it sometimes when I look in to my dog's eyes. It was the first book to open my eyes to animal rights. I would recommend that parents encourage their children to read this book as a means to develop empathy and a respect for all God's creatures-- it certainly worked for me.

[Emily G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a little girl who gets caught stealing, so she has to do service work at an animal shelter, but she figures out after a couple of days the animals get executed. She doesn't want them to die so what does she do read the book and find out. I liked this book because as you read you won't want to stop. So if you love animals read this book.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to be able to help some of the 6th graders I work with on their homework. I think it has a fantastic message for kids, but felt a bit frustrated with some of the structuring. When reading it out loud it got a touch repetitive with names. One paragraph said Tracy 5 times instead of using 'she' or 'her'.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shoplifer, not quite the word Kit wants to be discribed as. Now she has been sentenced by a juvenile court committee. Assigned twenty hours at the humane society, she falls in love with a terrier named Lady. Her hours are almost over, but what will happen to Lady?

[Jayme · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a really long time ago. I remember it was going to be put on the banned list for language so I hurried to read it. It was good, in the sense of the conveyance of themes through the writing.

[Book Him Danno · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this with the kids and I think the girl was as much in a cage as the dogs she helped with at the shelter. She felt lost and misunderstood by everyone. A kind teacher helps and so do good friends and understanding parents. The kids and I enjoyed the story.

[Robyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This cook was a little bit sad. It's about this girl named Kit Hathway. She stole a golden braclet because she was mad and jelous. So now she has to do Community Servises. Kit has problems with her family and thelling the truth. Will she tell her best friend or kept it a secret from her?

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kit's overwhelming problems, not getting the lead in school play & stepfather drinking cause Kit impulsively steal a bracelet & get caught. She does community services at the humane soceity, where she feels she is as caged as the animals. Only facing the truth sets her free.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my absolute all-time favorite books. As a teenager with angst sometimes, I found this book to be comforting and something that I needed to read at the time. I am so glad I found it again, it's like curling up with an old friend.