Read in 1973-1978, for elementary school readers, minimal illustrations. A girl from the Upper West Side (i think) has a stepmother who she is in conflict with, and a cat who she loves. Somehow she and the cat are transported to ancient Egypt where cats are venerated, and maybe her cat is even Bastet. Someone in ancient Egypt also represents the present-day stepmother. Girl returns and the resolution with the stepmother is refreshingly NOT fantasy-perfect.
Sounds a lot like Cat in the Mirror by Mary Stolz (1975). Main character is Erin, in the present day she becomes friends with a boy from Egypt named Seti. There’s a version of him in the past that she travels to. She has a habit of puffing out her cheeks, and gets made fun of for it. She adores her father, and the father’s favorite book is Alice in Wonderland.
Mary Stolz, The Cat in the Mirror. I am SO HAPPY to solve this for you and for you to reunite with this book.
Mary Stolz, The Cat in the Mirror. I am so happy to give you an answer and for anyone to reunite with this great book.
This is definitely Cat in the Mirror by Mary Stolz (1975) An unhappy teenage girl, unable to cope with problems at home and at school, suffers an accidental blow on the head and is transported 3000 years back in time to another existence in ancient Egypt.
I am sure this is Mary Stolz’s The Cat in the Mirror. So good! I hope you enjoy revisiting it.