Another title by Mary Hooper, the highly regarded author of over 50 books for young people including Mad About the Boy and Spook Spotting which were listed among Book Trust's 100 Best Books of the Year. The Peculiar Power of Tabitha Brown is an intriguing and highly enjoyable novel which combines fantasy with reality in a completely straightforward and believable way. Tabitha Brown's life is made a misery by her young twin brothers, who not only have the bedroom she would love but tease and irritate her beyond endurance. Things start looking up when batty old great-aunt Mitzi dies and mysteriously bequeaths Tabitha a cat's cushion. She discovers why soon enough: the next time she's in a rage she finds she's changed into a cat. Awkward perhaps, but useful too, when it means she can find a way to get her own back on irritating people as well as getting the longed-for bigger bedroom. Terrific fun. (Ages 8-12) --Tamsin Palmer