A young and frightened kitten is brought starry-eyed into a new household. A boy named Max is trying desperately to get over the loss of his former beloved pet. But ghosts dont always enjoy being forgotten. Sometimes they have to make their presence known.

Both spine-chilling and heartwarming, funny and charming, Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor winning author Kara LaReau has written a story about fitting in, standing out, overcoming fear, and finding a place called home.

In her cage at the Mount Charles Animal Shelter, Kitty has no other choice but to be the captive audience of the opinionated Bunny Van Hopper. But its better than the woods. Kitty can still remember the rain that came and swept everything everyone away. Here, at least she has food and company, even if Bunnys words scare her.

And then Max appears at the shelter. Max has adopted all sorts of pets over the years. Rumor has it that he treats all of his pets with care and kindness. And of all the animals at the shelter, he actually chooses hera scrawny and scared kitten. Kitty is going to be home at last. But she cant seem to get Bunnys words out of her head as Max takes her away in her carrier

Youre going to regret this! I just know it! Bunny Van Hopper cries. And perhaps Bunny is right

There is a scent lingering in the house on 5 Manderley Lane. The scent rises from every chair leg, every carpet fiber, every throw pillow, even inside the bathtub. Everything smells like Licorice. It is the strongest upstairs in Maxs room, almost overpowering. If the smell isnt enough, Duchess, the familys old parrot, wont let Kitty forget that she is a replacement. And soon, Kitty finds herself trapped in the long shadow of the cat that came before her. But is it just a shadow? Or is there something really there on the other side of ithaunting her

Licorice is a fantastically kid-friendly book full of mystery and suspense, for fans of Kate DiCamillo, Katherine Applegate, and Aaron Reynolds.