Peter Pickler and the Cat That Talked Back

For Ages 7-12Eleven-year-old Peter Pickler is dreading his first day at Ryerson Public School. His family has just moved across the city to allow his dad to be closer to his new job. Unfortunately for Peter, this means that he must leave his old friends behind and try to make new ones at Ryerson. This task does not prove easy, however, as Peter unwittingly becomes the target of fellow classmate, Roberta Grant, who is not only the prettiest and smartest girl in school, but also the most influential. With one word from Roberta, Peter finds himself placed firmly on the disfavored list. Only Albert 'Tubilard' Robillard, another student on the outs with Roberta, has the nerve to make friends with him. Peter doesn't think that his first day at Ryerson can get any worse, that is until he gets into a fight trying to rescue a stray cat from the school bully. That night, while Peter is trying to explain to his mother why he was fighting, an old lady arrives at the Pickler door asking that they adopt her precious cat, Mortimer, the very cat that Peter had gotten into the fight over. Peter's mother eventually agrees to the odd request, and the next morning, Peter awakens to an incredible discovery. Mortimer can talk!When Albert Robillard learns that his family can't afford to pay for a much needed eye operation, Peter decides to help by signing up for the annual 'Pet Idol' contest. Peter figures that with Mortimer as his ace in the hole, winning the contest and getting Albert the money for his operation should be a breeze. What he hadn't counted on was Mortimer's reluctance to enter, nor that Roberta Grant would also be entering with her champion Siamese cat, Captain Nefarious Theodore the Third, who has been described by many as the smartest cat on the planet.