Malkin didn’t have a happy first life. Thrown into the river by the Owners when he was just a kitten, it was a miracle he didn’t lose all nine lives at the time. But he’s a survivor, and the moon believes that Malkin has greatness in him. He meets Roux, a domestic cat, and together they embark on adventures.

When Roux’s owner moves away, the two cats are devastated by their separation. But both of them search until they find each other again. They join a community of wild cats that live in a recycling centre and they discover serious trouble there. Perhaps Malkin can use his special gifts and abilities to bring about peace. This could be the moment of greatness that the moon has foreseen?

Emma Cox was awarded the New Children’s Author Prize 2015 by the British National Literacy Trust for this, her first novel. In this delightful adventure, Cox shows her sensitivity towards cats and the myriad of mannerisms and other behaviours that make them unique. But it isn’t just a cute story about felines; there’s a lot for humans to learn from Malkin and his friends; we all need to know how to get along.

Reviewed by Wendy Noble