A brave city cat learns what it's like to find a home with a good human. Harvey has had a tough life. His mother was killed by a bus, he's separated from his brother and sister, and every day is a struggle to satisfy hunger while avoiding mean kids, alley rats, and speeding cars. But one day, he meets a kind woman who grows plants on a rooftop. As their friendship blossoms, Harvey tries to check off a list of "impossible" tasks, like helping out his missing siblings. The short novel is briskly paced; days, weeks, then whole seasons pass as Harvey settles into a life he never could have imagined as an outdoor feline. The story is told from Harvey's perspective and in simple language, which only occasionally becomes unclear. But it's more than made up for by clever writing and a deep knowledge of cat behaviors and motivations. Charming illustrations effectively bring to life some of the scenes. As the title character's relationships with a dog named Chester and a trio of friendly sparrows, as well as kind humans, deepen, so does the book. Harvey and other animals he encounters are adorable, and the humans who befriend them are diverse in terms of race. Not a perfect journey but a tale full of heart and memorable moments. (Animal fiction. 7-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Harvey is a street cat in New York City. He's savvy but wary and has a list of goals, his "impossible things," which include saving his sister from a shelter. He'd also like to be as tough as his brother but is better at avoiding confrontation. That is how he inadvertently finds the rooftop of an apartment building, where in a fortunate coincidence, a kindly baker he knows happens to live. The safety Harvey finds above the city, along with his human friend's gentle approach, might just help him change his mind about trusting humans. Some friendly birds and a wise homeless dog also aid Harvey in seeing the world differently. Sweet line illustrations let readers glimpse the warmth of Harvey's roof refuge, as well as his world. Later, after dangerous adventures and fortunate discoveries, his "impossible things" change, and what is possible has more than a little to do with finding a happy home. A satisfying read for fans of fiction narrated by sympathetic animals--and of course, cat lovers.