In 1936 two young sisters, Melia and Myrto, are excited to spend the summer running around the small Greek island they live on and getting to see the older cousin they idolize, Nikos, who makes up great adventure stories about the taxidermied wildcat in their aunt’s living room. However, fascism is a looming threat and starting to put pressure on their family, particularly their academic grandfather and the revolutionary Nikos. Soon some of their friends prove they can’t be trusted, and others desperately need their help. The girls are divided as Myrto joins the youth nationalist club. Nikos is wanted by the new dictator’s police and must hide, but he leaves clues for Melia in the mouth of the wildcat, so she can help him with his fight.

A lovely classic middle-grade story. Melia starts out very free and trusting of everyone, but sees the fascism creeping in the same way that the reader does. She keeps the sense of justice that she had from the beginning, but fine-tunes it as she learns more about the world. The role of the stuffed wildcat is perfect, starting out as a metaphor and fantasy but evolving into a literal hideaway and facilitator of resistance.
I knew nothing of modern Greek history and was not aware that they had a fascist dictatorship in the 1930s along with all their neighbors, so I appreciate this for filling a gap in my knowledge in addition to just being a good book. ( )

Originally written in 1963, this novel has received multiple honors and been published in dozens of international editions. It’s a classic for good reason with its fascinating, well-written, thought-provoking, and richly authentic story.

Melia, age 8, and her sister Myrto, age 10, call a Greek island home. It’s 1936, and they are pleased as punch to be heading to the small village at the seaside where they spend every summer cavorting with their friends. One of the best bits is when their college-age cousin, Nikos, comes and spins fabulous tales about the taxidermied wildcat that resides in the glass case at home.

This summer, however, turns out to be a strange one. Alongside the carefree, idyllic days by the sea, the unsupervised make-believe, banter, bickering, and adventuring of this ragtag crew of kids, there is an air of mysterious, foreboding gloom among the adults. The children often overhear worrisome, sharp exchanges, remarks about kings and dictators, democracy and fascism, Hitler and Spain, which they don’t understand but which seem full of dark significance. As tensions, secrets, and emotions continue to rise, Melia, Myrto, and the wildcat find themselves immersed in a serious, dangerous adventure.

I’ve encountered numerous middle-grade novels about WWII-era resistance movements among the Danes, Norwegians, French, Dutch…but never the Greeks. Alki Zei, who was herself involved in the Greek resistance, conveys brilliantly the tumult of anger and grief, fear of reprisal, brave resistance, and stomach-turning acquiescence, as the country falls from democracy into fascism. She juxtaposes this with the sunny innocence of childhood, the fierce love within family and community, and enlivens the entire story with rich sensory details of Greek life in this era – delicious stuffed tomatoes and cheese fritters, wine cellars and rocky caves, turquoise waters and old fishing boats. And she gives us a narrator in Melia whose voice is credible and captivating.

It’s a timeless story in content and in the telling. This translation flows beautifully, and an introductory note by the translator is of great help to modern readers. Highly recommended as a read-aloud with ages 8 and up, or an independent read for ages 10 and older. ( )

This was such an interesting read! I love having translated titles in my classroom library— especially when they have such a cool premise! My middle schoolers love this book ( )

Won this as an early review copy for library thing. Set in 1930s Greece and told from the point of view an 8 year old girl. This is the time that Greece and the world is seeing lots of political turmoil. During the course of the book Greece comes under dictatorship rule. Part of her family is for it while others are happy with the status quo. Interesting point of view of a young child in regards to what is going on in the world. The deposition of the king, an older cousin who goes off to fight for democracy in Spain, father who's afraid of losing his job at the bank. ( )

I enjoyed this book immensely. Written from the perspective of an 8 year old, it's a really lovely book that demonstrates how a child sees turbulent times. The book is set in the 1930s, Europe is in political chaos. The country is torn among royalists, pro-democracy advocates, anti-Bolsheviks. A regular family's members have different viewpoints. The book deals with values such as freedom, honesty in a very grounded way. Highly recommend for all ages.