Harry and Chicken by Dyan Sheldon - 8/10

Having a pet is an adventure in itself, but what if your new "cat" was really an extraterrestrial?

Chicken can't believe her ears when a stray cat begins talking to her and asks her for a place to stay. When she explains that her mother doesn't like cats, Harry dismisses her concern by telling her that he is an alien stranded here on Earth. She agrees to sneak him home, but his curiosity (and hunger) lead to a series of entertaining escapades.

This book is simple but whimsical, fun for beginning readers - especially if they like cats.

*Re-reading it as an adult, I think there's a subtext that Chicken is just a creative yet lonely child who has invented a unique way to relate to her new pet rather than believing that Harry is actually an alien, but I don't remember noticing that as a kid. I think there is also a second book where Harry's backstory is elaborated upon, but I have not read that recently, so my memory is too hazy to say much more.