Hate That Cat is a continuation of one of Creech’s previous novels, Love That Dog. Jack, a character from Hate That Cat, is beginning a new school year with Miss Stretchberry, his teacher from the previous year. Miss Stretchberry introduces new poems that enable her students to speak freely. Jack spends the school year letting his mind wander about mean cats, sound, silence, worry, and joy.
Creech resides in upstate New York with her husband. She is the author of the Newbery Medal winner Walk Two Moons and the Newbery Honor Book The Wanderer. Creech’s other novels include The Castle Corona, Replay, Heartbeat, Ruby Holler, and Absolutely Normal Chaos. She also is the author of three picture books: A Fine, Fine School; Fishing in the Air; and Who’s That Baby?