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Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

by Myron, Vicki
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

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  • Synopses & Reviews

ISBN13: 9780446407410
ISBN10: 0446407410
Condition: Standard
DustJacket: Standard

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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments

DEWEY is the heartwarming story of Dewey Readmore Books, the beloved library cat of Spencer, Iowa, as told by his owner and companion of nineteen years, Vicki Myron, the librarian who found him on a frigid January morning when he was abandoned as a kitten in the book drop slot. It is also the story of a remarkable small town, which burned down at the beginning of the Depression, only to rebuild itself, and which was almost shuttered during the farm crisis of the 1980s, before regrouping and rededicating itself to small town American values. Dewey's local charm and worldwide fame became a symbol of hope for this recovering town. Through Dewey's antics, we come to know and love many of the colorful and inspiring people of Spencer. But perhaps the most inspiring person in Spencer is Vicki Myron herself, a single mother who survived the bankruptcy of her family farm and working in a box factory to put two of her brothers through college to become one of the leaders of the Iowa library system. Dewey is one lovable, roguish cat who managed to transform an entire town and inspire people across the globe.

Review

"This charming and heartwarming story of an extraordinary feline will be welcomed by cat lovers and all librarians who wish they had a library cat." Library Journal

Review

"Intimate portrait of a place snugly set within its historical moment, preserved in Myron's understated, well-polished prose." Kirkus Reviews

Review

"Myron's beguiling, poignant, and tender tale of survival, loyalty, and love is an unforgettable study in the mysterious and wondrous ways animals, and libraries, enrich humanity." Booklist

Review

"What an extraordinary story of love, courage and devotion. I will not soon forget the good people of Spencer, Iowa and their wonderful library cat. Dewey is truly inspiration for the soul." Jack Canfield, co-creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul

Review

"Dewey is charming, lovely, and moving. It's about life and death and small-town values and, above all, love. Norton would have liked Dewey — the cat and the book — immensely." Peter Gethers, author of The Cat Who Went to Paris

Review

"Iowa has produced great Hall of Famers, like baseball's Bob Feller. Iowa has now produced a true feline Hall of Famer, a loveable library celebrity named Dewey, who put Spencer, Iowa, on the international map. This book is a purring good read, whether you are a cat lover, or not." Jim Fanning, former Major League Baseball player and manager

Review

"The story of Dewey, author Vicki Myron, and Spencer, Iowa, captures what makes small town life worth preserving — a sense of community. Dewey rekindles my belief that one person (together with one cat) can change lives. Vicki gives Spencer's famous library cat a 10th life by writing this engaging biography." Christie Vilsack, former First Lady of Iowa and President of The Vilsack Foundation

Review

"I picked this book up dubiously, expecting a big, gooey cinnamon roll of a read....Instead, I made it to the last page and I was crying when I got there....Every town should have a Dewey." Christian Science Monitor

Review

"Although a few recent books have made household names out of two canines named Marley and Enzo, it's a pretty safe bet that before long Dewey's fame will have spread further and further abroad and his tale will become legendary for that most unique breed of felines — the library cats." Bookreporter.com

Synopsis

.

Dewey's story starts in the worst possible way. Only a few weeks old, on the coldest night of the year, he was stuffed into the returned book slot at the Spencer Public Library. He was found the next morning by library director, Vicki Myron, a single mother who had survived the loss of her family farm, a breast cancer scare, and an alcoholic husband. Dewey won her heart, and the hearts of the staff, by pulling himself up and hobbling on frostbitten feet to nudge each of them in a gesture of thanks and love. For the next nineteen years, he never stopped charming the people of Spencer with his enthusiasm, warmth, humility, (for a cat) and, above all, his sixth sense about who needed him most.

Synopsis

How much of an impact can an animal have? How many lives can one cat touch? How is it possible for an abandoned kitten to transform a small library, save a classic American town, and eventually become famous around the world? You can't even begin to answer those questions until you hear the charming story of Dewey Readmore Books, the beloved library cat of Spencer, Iowa.
Dewey's story starts in the worst possible way. Only a few weeks old, on the coldest night of the year, he was stuffed into the returned book slot at the Spencer Public Library. He was found the next morning by library director, Vicki Myron, a single mother who had survived the loss of her family farm, a breast cancer scare, and an alcoholic husband. Dewey won her heart, and the hearts of the staff, by pulling himself up and hobbling on frostbitten feet to nudge each of them in a gesture of thanks and love. For the next nineteen years, he never stopped charming the people of Spencer with his enthusiasm, warmth, humility, (for a cat) and, above all, his sixth sense about who needed him most.
As his fame grew from town to town, then state to state, and finally, amazingly, worldwide, Dewey became more than just a friend; he became a source of pride for an extraordinary Heartland farming town pulling its way slowly back from the greatest crisis in its long history.

Synopsis


Experience the uplifting, "unforgettable" New York Times bestseller about an abandoned kitten named Dewey, whose life in a library won over a farming town and the world--with over 2 million copies sold (Booklist)Dewey's story starts in the worst possible way. On the coldest night of the year in Spencer, Iowa, at only a few weeks old--a critical age for kittens--he was stuffed into the return book slot of the Spencer Public Library. He was found the next morning by library director Vicki Myron, a single mother who had survived the loss of her family farm, a breast cancer scare, and an alcoholic husband. Dewey won her heart, and the hearts of the staff, by pulling himself up and hobbling on frostbitten feet to nudge each of them in a gesture of thanks and love. For the next nineteen years, he never stopped charming the people of Spencer with his enthusiasm, warmth, humility (for a cat), and, above all, his sixth sense about who needed him most. As his fame grew from town to town, then state to state and finally, amazingly, worldwide, Dewey became more than just a friend; he became a source of pride for an extraordinary Heartland farming community slowly working its way back from the greatest crisis in its long history.

About the Author

Vicki Myron was born on a farm fifteen miles from Spencer, Iowa. At the age of thirty-four, after a failed marriage, single motherhood, and a stint on welfare, she graduated summa cum laude from Mankato State University and has a masters degree from Emporia State University.She worked at the Spencer Public Library for twenty-five years, the last twenty as director. She lives in Spencer, Iowa.

4.8 12

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating 4.8 (12 comments)

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ohohaye13 , January 30, 2013 (view all comments by ohohaye13)
This is such a heart warming book. This shows that though something may start out hopeless that it can end in love.

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ohohaye13 , November 15, 2012 (view all comments by ohohaye13)
This is the most wonderful book that I have ever read. This story, about this harmless kitten, who was dropped into a book drop-box. About the way that people treated him. He did truly touch the hearts of everyone who met him and even those who just read his story. He touch my heart and I am happy that I read this book and hope that you love it as much as I do.

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techeditor , October 27, 2011 (view all comments by techeditor)
DEWEY: THE SMALL-TOWN LIBRARY CAT WHO TOUCHED THE WORLD by Vicki Myron, Bret Witter (Contributor), was published in 2008. Obviously, I didn’t read it right away. That’s because I was afraid it would be a tear jerker. But the cover picture of that cat finally proved irresistible when I found the book at a used book sale. I read it, and I loved it. If you like cats, you’ll love this book, too. And there’s enough description of library work that librarians would also enjoy this book, regardless of how they feel about cats. But a librarian who is also a cat owner absolutely should not miss DEWEY. Some of DEWEY is funny, all of it is touching. But it’s more than a MARLEY-type book, with descriptions of crazy incidents. DEWEY begins with a book depository. That’s where Vicki Myron, the director of the Spencer, Iowa, Library, finds the 8-week-old kitten one freezing cold morning. He was near frozen to death, and his paws were frostbitten. But he loved her and everyone else who would hold him immediately. And all the librarians there loved him back. So, of course, they kept him. And now you might expect the remainder of the book to describe cat antics. But Myron actually tells us how Dewey helped so many people on a daily basis, truly helped them. He even improved the library. And it even may not be a stretch to say that he gave some status to the small town of Spencer, Iowa. Sure, cat antics are in there, but they’re part of the stories of a cat who loved everyone and helped the lives of so many. I highly recommend this book. It’s just as good today as it was in 2008 when it was getting so much publicity.

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Jena , June 20, 2010 (view all comments by Jena)
This is a book for cat-lovers and supporters of libraries. It made me wish our library had a cat. Myron spends a little more time than I'd have liked (coming from a small farming community myself) detailing life in Spencer, Iowa, past and present; also, the language of the telling gets a little redundant. But this isn't supposed to be a literary masterpiece; it's a work of love for Dewey and Spencer, Iowa, and as such, it accomplishes its purpose admirably.

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Jennmarie68 , March 11, 2010 (view all comments by Jennmarie68)
I think this was a very good book. It not only is a story about a cat, but a story about a small town. I think that the stories about Dewey interacting with people and how he seemed to always know what people needed from him were great. I am an animal lover and I think that cats are more perceptive to people's emotions than most dogs are, however I think Dewey had an even more keen sense into people. I think the story was what held the book together for me. Everything was written well but it seemed like it jumped around a lot. She would repeat things that she had already mentioned before, as if you were just tuning into a documentary and it was giving you a recap. I think that the author did a fairly good job at telling Dewey's story as well as giving us insight into her life. That is was makes the story of Dewey so exceptional, we see what the author was going through and then we get to see how Dewey adapted to the changes in the author's life. Good book!

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labmonkeyonarampage1979 , January 11, 2010
This book made me feel as if I knew Dewey. Loved it!

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katsrus , January 02, 2010 (view all comments by katsrus)
This is a heartwarming story about a special library cat whom touched everyone's heart whom met him including anyone whom reads the book. It is beautifully written. It makes you laugh and cry. If you love cats this is a must read.

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plhill2000 , January 01, 2010 (view all comments by plhill2000)
I loved this book. It was so good to see people who they themselves were hurting because of the economy care so much for a homeless cat that made them feel better.

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mbtm2003 , June 05, 2009 (view all comments by mbtm2003)
From being nearly frozen to death as a tiny dirty furball to becoming internationally known and universally loved (even by non-cat lovers)...What a compelling story! Weave that dramatic storyline with the story of the rebirth of a small town at the end of hope and librarians with dramatic events of their own as well as hearts as big as Texas. I could not stop reading this book. As a cat person, I know that cats can sense what humans feel/want/need/etc., and I know that cats become attached to a particular person. I laughed at Dewey's antics and mourned when he passed away. This book is definitely worth repeated readings. Even if readers aren't 'cat people,' this is an enjoyable must-read (or must-hear if listening to the audiobook edition) that underscores human resiliency as well as the healing power of having pets.

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Deborah Fochler , March 22, 2009 (view all comments by Deborah Fochler)
Alright, we had our doggie book and it was okay - sorry Marley but CATS RULE. You cant help but love Dewey and it is a great read. Though you will cry - unless you are heartless and not a sap for cats. It is amazing how often a cat will show up somewhere needing a home and the person taking them in needs a cat even more. I have seen it happen with friends and even to me once. But, you will enjoy this story and Dewey is oh so cute. Just look at that loveable face.

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Jennifer Short , January 13, 2009 (view all comments by Jennifer Short)
Have you ever gone to the library, reach for a book, and end up holding a CAT? If you live in Spenser, Iowa you probably have! This book is the tail -- err tale -- of Dewey, the town library cat. Dewey was featured in many newspapers and magazines, and even a Japanese documentary! He was himself, but being himself he befriended the town, helped spirits soar, and left a legacy many humans could long to leave!

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Denise Morland , October 10, 2008 (view all comments by Denise Morland)
This is a sweet, heartwarming, little book about a cat who hit the jackpot the night he was dumped in the town library's return box. He quickly becomes the library's beloved mascot and turns out to have a personality to match his new post. The book is written by Vicki Myron, the head librarian at the Spencer library. Though she fleshes out the story with some history of the town and some of her own history, this book is really all about Dewey Readmore Books. Yes, it's sappy and yes, Vicki does plenty of anthropomorphizing, attributing thoughts and motivations to Dewey that I doubt any cat, no matter how noble, has. But in the end how could you help but love Dewey and be engaged and warmed be his story? One look at his picture on the cover of the book and you'll be charmed. This book made me laugh a little, cry a little, and left me feeling like the world is a little bit better then I thought. I couldn't ask for anything more!

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Product Details

ISBN:
9780446407410
Binding:
Hardcover
Publication date:
09/24/2008
Publisher:
Grand Central Publishing
Language:
English
Pages:
277
Height:
.98IN
Width:
5.82IN
Thickness:
1.00
LCCN:
2008004498
Number of Units:
1
Illustration:
Yes
Copyright Year:
2008
UPC Code:
2800446407412
Author:
Vicky Myron
Author:
Bret Witter
Author:
Bret Witter
Author:
Susan McInearny
Author:
Suzanne Toren
Author:
Vicki Myron
Subject:
Iowa
Subject:
Cats - Iowa - Spencer
Subject:
PETS / General
Subject:
Cats
Subject:
Spencer
Subject:
Dewey (Cat)

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