Tails of the Bronx

by Jill Pinkwater

In their search for a group of missing cats, a group of children in the Bronx encounters the problems of homelessness firsthand.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Jill Pinkwater is an award-winning author and illustrator who has collaborated with her husband, Daniel Pinkwater, on many fine books, many of which feature polar bears and other noble creatures. They've also worked together on "Superpuppy," the world's best guide to owning and caring for a canine companion.

Reviews

[Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of the books I taught to my grade level, reading group. I LOVED it. I wish Jill wrote more books.

She touches upon what I think are real life issues such as a living & surviving in a rough neighborhood and facing economic times. I loved how the kids were from different cultures and of different abilities.

[Andrew Canfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tails of the Bronx is fabulous urban fiction that manages to be successful on several levels. More often than not its scenes work in the way the author intended, binding together a strong narrative which is likely to maintain readers' interest throughout its entirety.

Author Jill Pinkwater sets her novel during the early 1990s in the New York City borough of the Bronx. She intentionally chooses this setting to underscore the book's commentary on poverty and the perception of those who find themselves in it. It has an impressive cast of well fleshed out characters, all of whom band together to attempt to discover why so many cats in their neighborhood have suddenly vanished. The book is told in the first person through the eyes of Loretta Bernstein, and Pinkwater does a superb job writing the dialogue between Loretta and her friends.

Suzie Q is somewhat of a forgettable character, but Julio more than makes up for this deficit. He provides much of the book's laugh out loud lines, inserting an unmistakable wit into his observations. It is not a difficult task to picture him speaking his sharp lines. Calvin and the Raven are solidly written individuals as well; each kid in the Bronx neighborhood is penned in a unique manner that adds something of value to the novel.

Tails of the Bronx does a tremendous job at showing the scorn many homeless people and those in systemic poverty are held in among those who view themselves as self-made. Rochelle, a girl we are to assume is from one of the wealthier Bronx families and the owner of Princess Ponga, Crown Jewel of Siam (one of the missing among the neighborhood felines), is the vehicle through which Pinkwater shows how those born into enviable circumstances can mischaracterize the needy's circumstances. Caustic comments delivered by her to some of the characters demonstrate this on a consistent-and almost too frequent-basis.

The adults come across as empathetic people with wild personalities that somehow still remain relatable.

This book surprised with its believable atmosphere and effective weaving of diverse characters into one narrative. It never engages in mindlessness or wanders off into needless subplots, instead keeping a relentless focus on the main narrative strand. Overall, it is a socially aware piece of writing which kids ages ten and older could do worse than to read.

-Andrew Canfield Denver, Colorado

[Laurie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved all of the kids and the whole neighborhood dynamic. It reminded me a lot of when I grew up- when all the parents knew the kids names and watched out for them. Clearly written for the 8-12 year old crowd, but I loved it.

[Stella]

I think,it was a really mysterious and confusing but when I reached the end of the book I understood it was actually an actress as a witch and miss. Elvina and windy were one family, as happily I could think of the kids, Loreatta, Calvin, Suzie Q, The raven, Anthony and Julio, are special kids who have went to a fascinating life and went through a special life.