The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class: Theo Chang Is Not a Cat
Written by Mike Jung
Illustrated by Kat Fajardo
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Meet the kids in Mrs. Z’s wacky and wonderful third grade class!
Theo Chang is thrilled his family adopted a new cat, but the cat is less thrilled about his new home. Can Theo find a way to befriend the kitty before his family gives up and takes him back to the shelter?
Theo Chang loves Trainwhistle, his family’s newly adopted cat. There’s just one problem: Trainwhistle does not love Theo. Although he’s a lovey-dovey lap cat with humans, Trainwhistle is very rough with other cats. And for some reason, he clearly thinks Theo is another cat. Chased around the apartment and bitten on the ankle by the ferocious feline, Theo doesn’t know what to do!
Too embarrassed about getting beaten up by his own cat, Theo can’t ask his best friend Memo for advice, but when his parents start talking about returning Trainwhistle to the shelter, he realizes time is running out. Can Theo convince Trainwhistle he’s a boy, not a cat, before it’s too late?
The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class is an innovative series where every book is written by a different all-star author and features a different kid in the same third-grade class. They can be read in any order!
Primary ISBN: 9781523532902
Publication Date: November 2025
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook, eBook
Chapter Book, Age 06 or older
Community Represented: Korean/Korean American
Themes: Animals, Cross-Group Friendship, Family Relationship: Parents, Format: Audiobook, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Welcoming by School
Setting: United States
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown ArrivalEngagement Materials: Character Guide Source: Hachette Book Group
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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Engagement Materials:
Source: Hachette Book Group