Maxime is ten years old. Her favorite things are her books and cats—especially her own cat, Turmeric. Like Matilda, the heroine of her favorite book, she feels different. She wouldn’t mind being like other kids but they make so much noise, it hurts her ears. So, her friends are the characters in her books, and her cat. If she were brave enough, she would talk to the new girl at school, who carries a copy of Matilda in her book bag.
One day, she finds some mysterious bowls in the alley behind her house. She dresses up like a detective in order to investigate and meets an older woman, Catamou, who feeds the neighborhood's stray cats. Soon enough, the two become friends. Maxime confides in Catamou, who encourages her to introduce herself to the new girl at school.
Tagged books about books , friendship and intergenerational relationships