IMAGINE a world, only just in the future, devastated by "cat flu", and where cats can only be bought from one "safe" and prohibitively expensive global source. That's the background against which Jade finds a stray in her garden.

She and her mother both want to keep it; but when Feela falls ill and scratches Jade, she fears they're both going to die from the dreaded flu.

The scare passes - but then Jade's house is raided by the aggressive "compers" police force, her mother dies of a heart attack and Jade and Feela go on the run with the enigmatic Kris, a misfit class-mate.

Never mind that the story is somewhat far fetched and the writing slightly wooden - it's a brilliant idea and a page turning thriller. (Age 10+)