This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended

As an adult, I was able to guess what was happening quite early in the book; I do not think this will stop young readers from enjoying the story. The talking cats are strange and wonderful, I love that they feel naked if they leave the house without clothes on, a very human trait. I think kids will see themselves in Elsby when they read this book. Elsby is a kid just wanting a connection and I think we can all relate to that.

The Cats of Silver Crescent is a unique story about a young girl named Elsby (short for Elizabeth) who discovers a group of talking cats dressed like humans, living beside her great-aunt Verity during a family visit. Left in the care of her great-aunt for the summer while her mother is away for work, Elsby wonders how she will get through a lonely summer in Rhode Island with her sketchbook and writing journal. She soon discovers a group of talking cats that belonged to aunt Verity's landlady Rose, who passed away leaving her cats without anyone to care for them. Approached by the cats, Elsby befriends and assists the cats with basic needs, books and potentially helping them with the ritual that gave them their human characteristics. Even though she helps them with what they need and keeps their secret, Elsby grows suspicious of the cats having an ulterior motive behind the ritual that gave the cats their voice.

I thought this was an interesting concept for a book. I will say that I did not know this was a book for middle school kids, but I still read and enjoyed every bit of it. I wish that we had more books about talking cats and young heros when I was a kid because I would have fell in love with reading more quickly. This book was a very exciting plot with clever, witty characters that I wish were real (mostly the cats, except for the evil one). Adding Penelope as the middle school age kid who dresses and talks like a Victorian lady was also an interesting addition to the book, which is something I have rarely seen unless it was from the Goosebumps series. Elsby is a bright and brilliant young girl who is happy to help the cats where she can, and I hope that maybe the author does not stop her story from here. I loved the plot, the characters and all the fun parts of what made this book great. I highly recommend this book parents and librarians to share with kids who love magic, the small town feeling and of course, cats.

Talking cats and teenage angst, it's a powerful and bewitching combination. I felt the feels of a teenage girl looking for acceptance from her peers. The cats are enchanting and one of them is just a little too wicked.
Kaela Noel's characters, feline and human, are remarkably believable and this young adult fantasy/mystery left me wanting more.

This magical fantasy is not the light-hearted story one might expect. In fact, it gets very dark, which for some kids might be too dark and others will find cool because there is a lot at stake, and it can be fun to be a little scared. The cats aren't particularly nice, which is a bummer.

This is the story of Elsby who is staying with her great-aunt Verity and an assortment of cats who talk and dress up. The relationship between Elsby and Verity is a good one. She also makes a friend, which is great until jealousy raises its head. The friendship felt just right for characters who are 11 or 12 years old.

I found the story itself to be fine. It didn't seem to go anywhere and I would have liked to know more of the back story. After a relatively slow story, the ending felt quickly wrapped up.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was good. It's not easy to perform kids' characters, and I'm thinking talking cats is a challenge, too. None of the voices were annoying, which is great!

<y thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio | Greenwillow Books for the e-audio advance listening copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Elsby is sent to stay with her aunt in a place she is unsure of. She finds her new temporary home holds many secrets. Elsby works with her new unusual and dapper friends to solve this impending problem that could change all of their lives forever.

I found this book to be entertaining and progressed nicely. I think young readers and older would be interested in this book. A fun read. If you like kitties then you are in for a treat.

I really enjoy reading middle grade books, but I’ll be honest this wasn’t my favorite. I almost didn’t finish it. It started out ok, but it got very dark. I wasn’t expecting it to get dark. The climax came very suddenly as well.

Elsby is staying with her aunt for the summer while her mom is away for work. On her first day she notices cats dressed in strange costumes roaming around her aunt's late neighbor's place. The cats begin to talk to Elsby and request her help to save them and their way of life.

This book was... odd. I don't understand why the cats were dressed in the costumes or how the magic worked. If this was explained in the end, I missed it because I lost interest in the book by the half way point. I've seen reviews that this book is great for cat lovers, but the only reason for that is that cats exist in the story. The cats didn't exhibit typical cat behaviors. Overall, this book left me confused and uninterested.

The story seemed wonderful but the computer generated voice was awful and made it very hard to read. I hope to re-try this book once the actual audiobook releases.

Elsby McBride goes to stay with her Aunt Verity in Snipatuit, Rhode Island. The unruly garden peeks her interest where she spends her time drawing until she sees a very odd sight - a cat walking on its hindlegs and fully dressed in periodic human clothing. That same cat appears at her window and asks Elsby to return with her to the other side of the townhouse to meet three other walking, taking, dressed cats. They need her help to keep the magic going that allows them to live as they do. While uncovering the secrets of the town, Elsby meets Penelope, a volunteer at the castle-like library filled with arcane and occult books who agrees to help her find the magic for the cats. The atmosphere of the odd small town feels like a supernatural, gothic, cozy mystery. Elsby and Penelope are well defined characters, each with their own thoughts, beliefs, and strengths. Two of the cats have their own nuanced personalities and their actions follow those depictions. The other two cats tend to meld into the background. The book was interesting, but the ARC audiobook I listened to had a mechanized narrator so I feel like I lost some of the details and subtexts that would have made the book really shine for me. I will be trying to read a physical copy to see if my feelings change.

Elsby is living with her great aunt for the summer while her mom is busy traveling for work. As an aspiring writer, Elsby can start her novels, churning out first chapters, but has a hard time taking it from there. However, while at her Aunt's, she meets a curious cast of characters, such as talking cats, and a girl who loves mystery and magic. With the cat's owner having passed, they need a friend and someone who can help them accomplish their mission. The only thing is some of the cats may be a bit more devious than they seem.

I received an audio advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Though the story was fun, whimsical and engaging, the narration was done electronically and was hard to fully sink into the narrative. I do not want to rate it based on that fact, so I will ignore my thoughts on narration and delivery and focus solely on the book. Do remember, it is middle grade, it is not hard hitting, but it does have some life lessons to learn and some obstacles to overcome along the way.

Imagine a world where cats not only talk but also possess magical abilities and wear the most adorable outfits. You'll step into this enchanting realm when you read The Cats of Silver Crescent by Kaela Noel. This delightful middle-grade book is a gateway to a world filled with magic and talking cats, a hard-to-re resist combination!
Elsby has to spend her summer with her aunt. You would think she would want to, but Elsby loves being just her and her mom. However, when her mother takes a job and can't take Elsby, she is forced to stay with her aunt. After spending some time in the garden, she notices something weird: A cat wearing clothes and walking on 2 feet. The only more bizarre thing is that they happen to be her next-door neighbors and need Elsby's help. Can Elsby survive falling into the world of magic and talking cats? 
Firstly, I chose this book because it's a middle-grade novel, and I wanted to read it to my kids because it has talking cats! If you don't know, I love cats and stories about talking cats. I enjoyed this story of friendship and troubles. The story hit me when Elsby meets Penelope, and they become fast friends. When you move, you tend to lose friends. This book is so well written. I love Elsby's point of view, and even when thinking through her problems, that's how a kid would believe through them. This book is excellent if you want to talk to your kids about making friends and how sometimes friendships can be tricky.

Mabel’s adventures continue with a flighty American girl, a murder, a dog and a plethora of hats. This 1920s murder mystery series is entertaining and fun, and the characters claim the top spot in my estimation. Mabel is a strong female character, Park an intriguing lover, and the side characters are fully fleshed out and interesting. If you’re looking for a fun romp through London and a satisfying modern romance, this could be for you!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for my copy. These opinions are my own.

A middle grade book that involves a young girl who visits her Great Aunt and, while exploring, sees a cat wearing clothing and walking on their hind legs. She soon is introduced to the four cats who live next door to her Great Aunt and discovers that they can talk and think like humans but need her help with food and a spell. While in town she meets a local girl who works at special library filled with information about spells and incantations. Will this local girl become closer with the cats and push Elspy out of her special place in the upcoming events?

This book is for middle grade readers but I would find this out of place in an elementary library. The references to magic/wicca/occultism are of a more advanced nature than other books with magic (ie: Harry Potter, Wizard of Oz, etc.). If your children are interested in cat stories - especially cats who have human characteristics or are magical - or like stories of magic or fantasy, this may be a choice for them. I also think the slow burn of the plot line would require a student who can be patient in waiting for the action to happen.

3.75

I’m so glad I was able to get the audiobook arc from NetGalley!

This was so much fun! The whole concept was so unique. I loved all of the cats minus Clarissa she really needed to chill. mascarpone was the true star of the book especially wanting to just go to a book store.

I did hate how quickly Penelope just turned on her like multiple times I know they are young but man it sucked for her. Yeah they worked it out in the end but I understand why Elsby felt the way she did.

I really wish I had this when I was in middle school but I’m glad this is an option for kids now.

Elsby is living with her great aunt for the summer while her mom is busy travelling for work. As an aspiring writer, Elsby can start her novels, churning out first chapters, but has a hard time taking it from there. However, while at her Aunt's, she meets a curios cast of characters, such as talking cats, and a girl who loves mystery and magic. With the cat's owner having passed, they need a friend and someone who can help them accomplish their mission. The only thing, is some of the cats may be a bit more devious than they seem.

I received an audio advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Though the story was fun, whimsical and engaging, the narration was done electronically and was hard to fully sink into the narrative. I do not want to rate it based on that fact, so I will ignore my thoughts on narration and delivery and focus solely on the book. Do remember, it is middle grade, it is not hard hitting, but it does have some life lessons to learn and some obstacles to over come along the way.

Note: Audio had generated voice. Actor narration would be preferred.

Elsby is sent to visit her great-aunt in Rhode Island, far from her home in Brooklyn. It’s a strange place with a strange relative which gets more bizarre when Elsby sees a cat in the garden- a cat wearing clothes, walking in two legs, and carrying a basket of broccoli!! Soon Elsby is drawn into the magical world of the four cats who live next door where she, along with her new friend Penelope, help them get food and books to read. Soon things take a turn, as magical happenings test the new friendships, trust is broken, and danger seems to be everywhere. Full of fantasy, ghosts, and mystery this is a story sure to please middle readers with its magical elements and grounded friendship.

While the premise of "The Cats of Silver Crescent" is undeniably charming, the execution leaves something to be desired. The narrative unfolds predictably, with few surprises along the way, and the characters, including Elsby herself, feel somewhat underdeveloped. Despite the magical elements and the potential for a captivating story, the plot lacks depth, and the emotional resonance falls short.

Overall, "The Cats of Silver Crescent" offers a delightful premise that promises whimsy and adventure. However, it fails to fully deliver on its potential, resulting in a three-star review. While it may entertain younger readers with its magical charm, older audiences may wish for a more nuanced and engaging narrative.

This book was delightful! The story is an easy to follow adventure full of magic and relatable adventures for kids of all ages! The characters show different forms of bravery and I definitely recommend this titled!

I'm not sure why anyone would conjure the imaginary town of Snipatuit in Rhode Island. It doesn't resinate with a lifelong New Englander. I didn't track how many times the name was mentioned but once it was said twice, I'd had enough. I live in Massachusetts and spend a lot of time in Rhode Island. If the main character lives in NYC, Rhode Island shouldn't be that mystical and strange to her. The nods to coffee ice cream and the awful, awful were cute though.

A couple of things: it is never explained how old the cats really are or why they dress in victorian clothing. The reading material they select gives the reader/listener the feeling they have been around for centuries, but it remains unclear. Maybe a set-up for a series?