Module 2 - The Cat Ate My Gymsuit

Danzinger, P. (1974). The cat ate my gymsuit. New York: Putnam.

SUMMARY

A young teenager is disgruntled with life. There is not much in life that Marcy Lewis likes - not home, not school, and not herself. However, all that changes when Ms Finney becomes the English teacher at Marcy's school and helps the students learn beyond the school's curriculum. Marcy, in spite of her insecurities, makes new friends, stands up for what she believes and begins to like herself. Things start looking up for Marcy Lewis and the students in Ms. Finney's class when Ms. Finney gets fired. How much have Marcy and her friends learned about standing up for what they believe in?

MY IMPRESSION

This was a great book that explored the very real feelings of middle school students. Although some of the topics are dated and are evidently written during a different time students can connect with the concerns, worries and frustrations of Marcy Lewis.  Teachers smoking in the school, kids drinking at a party and a tyrannical father are great discussion points for how things were, how things still are and what things might never change for middle school students.

REVIEW

Beauregard, S. (2005, April 1). Review of The Cat Ate My Gymsuit. The Booklist, 1400.

Published in 1974 and considered a "modern classic," Danziger's novel about overweight teenager Marcy Lewis is an excellent choice for a multicast performance. The story contains lots of dialogue and characters with distinct personalities. Written during an era when calling oneself "Ms." was radical, principals unilaterally suspended students, and adults routinely smoked cigars and cigarettes, the story holds up amazingly well. The shining star in this production is Caitlin Brodnick, who plays Marcy to perfection. She never overplays her role as the bright teenager whose self-image is so low that she refuses to participate in gym class because she doesn't want others to see her in a gym suit. The other youthful actors-Spencer Murphy, who reads the part of Joel Anderson, and Katie Reed, as Nancy Sheridan-are believable as well. Except for Marcy's younger brother, whose babylike speech seems a bit unnatural, all characters come off as credible and authentic, including Marcy's put-upon mother and Ms. Finney, the beloved teacher who is suspended for refusing to say the "Pledge of Allegiance."

SUGGESTION FOR LIBRARY USE

Create a display of books, including this title, that connect students with real life issues that they will face throughout middle school.