The Cat Ate My Gymsuit
The Cat Ate My Gymsuit
Book Brief
160
Novel • Fiction
•
Education•
Realistic FictionSuburban New York • 1970s
1974
YA
10-14 years
Super Short Summary
The Cat Ate My Gymsuit by Paula Danziger follows ninth-grader Marcy Lewis, who struggles with self-esteem issues largely due to her experiences with an abusive father and a nervous mother who placates him. Marcy finds solace and self-confidence when she bonds with her new, inspiring English teacher, Ms. Finney, and joins a student club named Smedley, which ultimately helps her grow emotionally and socially.
Humorous
Emotional
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
8,935 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Paula Danziger's The Cat Ate My Gymsuit resonates with readers for its humorous and relatable portrayal of adolescent struggles, particularly surrounding self-esteem and family dynamics. Highlights include the engaging writing and strong, realistic characters, though some criticize its predictability and dated cultural references. Overall, it's a beloved classic with enduring charm.
Who Should Read The Cat Ate My Gymsuit?
Readers who would enjoy The Cat Ate My Gymsuit by Paula Danziger are typically pre-teens and teens who appreciate humorous, relatable stories about navigating middle school, self-esteem, and family dynamics. Fans of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume and Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh will find this book engaging.
8,935 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Cat Ate My Gymsuit was Paula Danziger's debut novel, published in 1974, and it quickly became popular for its relatable themes and humorous tone.
The title of the book, The Cat Ate My Gymsuit, is a playful take on the common excuse "the dog ate my homework," highlighting the protagonist's struggles with self-confidence and self-expression.
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Paula Danziger was inspired to write the book based on her own experiences as a middle school teacher, where she noticed how various issues, such as self-esteem and body image, affected her students.
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160
Novel • Fiction
•
Education•
Realistic FictionSuburban New York • 1970s
1974
YA
10-14 years
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