Trooper

February 15, 2018

In 1987, the author found an orphan bobcat caught in a cactus and acted quickly to save his life. Johnson named the animal Trooper, and together, they had 19 years of adventures in the Mojave Desert. With coyotes being one notable exception, Johnson's love of animals extends to all creatures encountered by Trooper, from those native to the area (kit foxes, desert tortoises, jackrabbits) to those introduced by humans (mustangs and one unrepentant peacock). Written in an unadorned style reminiscent of the works of James Herriot, this love letter to the world's friendliest bobcat is also a tale of Las Vegas wildlife driven from their natural habitats as the desert morphs into suburbia. As Johnson comes to terms with Trooper's death, the reader may feel sadness at saying goodbye to a cat they never met but feel as if they already know and will almost surely miss. VERDICT A charming memoir about a pet bobcat, its owner, family, and friends. Readers who enjoy stories of human-animal friendships, such as Sy Montgomery's The Good Good Pig and Irene Pepperberg's Alex and Me, will find much to love here.--Mary Schons, Hammond P.L., IN

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2018
Animal lover Johnson found a cat caught in a deadly cactus. When he brought it home, he discovered that it was a bobcat. Determined to raise the animal, anyway, Johnson and his wife gave Trooper nearly free reign to come and go, which he did. It helped that they lived in the desert and were able to move to a ranch. Trooper seemed to act like a magnet, as more stray animals found their way to the Johnsons: two black kittens, a scarred cat called Fat Face, and a peacock. All these visitors found new homes, except for one yellow cat that Trooper adopted as his protege. Short chapters function as episodic adventures, some more dramatic than others, and Johnson does his best to create enough mystery for readers to keep turning the pages. He also introduces us to supportive vet Doctor Marg, the Johnsons' neighbor Jim, and their hired hand, Herman. This is just right for readers searching for a warm portrait of an unusual cat and the people who loved him.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)