Do we need to read the first book first?

You should. While the story stands alone, the emotional payoff regarding Jack’s growth and his memories of his dog, Sky, depends heavily on the events of Love That Dog.

Is it too sad for sensitive kids?

It deals with grief and a missing cat, but it is handled with a light touch. It is more about the process of healing than the trauma itself.

Is the 'verse' format hard for kids to read?

Actually, it's usually easier. The short lines and extra space make it less intimidating than a traditional novel, though kids do have to learn to follow the rhythm of the line breaks.

Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book1972

94%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Jack is back, still insisting he is not a poet while writing a verse-novel masterpiece about a neighborhood cat and the grief of losing his dog.

Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech

book

1972

94%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Jack is back, still insisting he is not a poet while writing a verse-novel masterpiece about a neighborhood cat and the grief of losing his dog.

4.7

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4.7

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Screenwise Verdict

Sharon Creech has a way of making poetry feel like a secret weapon rather than a school chore. In this sequel to Love That Dog, Jack is still writing to his teacher, and he is still insisting that what he is doing isn't real poetry, yet he produces some of the most moving verse in middle-grade literature.

It is a literacy cheat code for reluctant readers. Because it is a verse novel, the page feels open and easy to conquer. But the emotional weight is real. Jack is processing the loss of his dog and his complicated feelings about a new cat, and Creech manages to weave in lessons on onomatopoeia and alliteration without it ever feeling like a textbook.

Age Fit

Perfect for 8- to 12-year-olds, especially those who think they hate reading or find poetry 'boring.'

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Jack's relationship with his teacher, Miss Stretchberry, is a model of mentorship, and his journey toward empathy for a 'hated' cat is emotionally mature.

Imaginative

The verse-novel format uses white space and concrete poetry to mirror Jack's internal state, showing kids that writing doesn't have to follow rigid rules.

Safe

Extremely safe middle-grade content with no violence, language, or mature themes beyond the processing of grief and pet ownership.

Enriching

It is a literacy powerhouse that builds the language comprehension strands of the Reading Rope by introducing poetic forms through imitation and allusion.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Reluctant reader friendly because the verse format provides massive amounts of white space, making the book feel fast and manageable.
Poetry 101 that doesn't feel like school, as Jack 'borrows' styles from famous poets to find his own voice.
Emotional depth that tackles grief and pet loss with a light, honest touch that kids actually relate to.
High-impact literacy that builds vocabulary and syntax through rhythm and sound rather than just rote decoding.

⚠

What to Watch For

The book deals with the lingering grief of losing Sky, the dog from the first book, which might be a 'sad' trigger for kids currently mourning a pet.
Jack is prickly and resistant; some kids might find his 'I hate this' attitude annoying before they realize it's a defense mechanism.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Jack insists he isn't a poet even when he's clearly writing poems?"
"Which of the poems Jack 'copied' was your favorite to listen to or read?"
"Why did Jack's feelings about the cat change by the end of the book?"
"How does Miss Stretchberry help Jack without telling him exactly what to do?"

Deep Dive

If you are looking to build the language comprehension strands of the Reading Rope, this is the book. It is not just about decoding words; it is about understanding how a writer uses rhythm and sound to convey a mood. Jack's voice is authentic because he is skeptical and deeply loyal.

The book is a brilliant introduction to other poets. Jack borrows styles from the greats, which is a perfect invitation for kids to try the same thing. It is the ultimate 'do it with them' book. Read a few pages, then grab a notebook and see if you can write a poem about something you 'hate' that you might actually secretly like.

For families who have already read Love That Dog, this is the essential follow-up. It continues Jack's growth as a writer and a human, showing that the best way to handle big feelings is to put them on paper.

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