Ratty

March 15, 2024
Grades 3-6 Barclay Manor: the story's protagonist desperately hopes that returning there, to his ancestral home, might help him break the curse that has dogged his family for generations, though never so uniquely as it afflicted him. In a family tree littered with bizarre deaths, his is the only unusual birth, one that saw him transformed from human boy to human-sized rat moments after entering the world. Twelve years later, Ratty Barclay retains his rodent appearance and instincts, but he also speaks English and wears jogging suits. Under the loving and highly protective care of his uncle Max, Ratty is determined to unravel the curse and give himself and his uncle a shot at a normal life. Unfortunately, 12-year-old Edweena Gup has been on an anti-rat crusade her entire life, and the stubborn, inquisitive girl happens to be the granddaughter of Barclay Manor's groundskeeper. Selfors' whimsical romp weaves friendship, family lore, local history, and environmental stewardship into a light mystery. A modern fairy tale that never becomes cheesy, despite being packed with heart and cheddar.

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May 1, 2024
Hoping to break a terrible curse, a young boy returns to the island home where he was turned into a human-sized rat. Born on the same day on Fairweather Island, two human babies were placed side by side in a hospital bassinet, only for the baby boy to suddenly transform into a rat. Both infants became startled, the baby girl began to cry, and the rat bit her on the cheek. Now, those babies--Edweena Gup and Ratty Barclay--are nearly 13. Edweena is obsessed with rat extermination, although the island has been free of the rodents for over a century. Hidden from the world and raised by his uncle, Ratty has been on the move all his life. Now he wants to return to the island for his 13th birthday in hopes of lifting the curse that's led to this isolated life. But it's not long before he and his uncle run into Edweena, who's the granddaughter of Barclay Manor's caretaker. Sensitive and caring Ratty, who wants to become a veterinarian, is a well-developed character, as is Edweena, whose determination ultimately has others' interests at heart. Environmental messages are subtly woven in as the origins of the curse come to light. Charming illustrations work in tandem with the pacing of the text, especially as events ramp up and the curse spreads, endangering more islanders. Main characters are coded white. Shows that kindness and caring can change even the most fixed mindsets. (Fiction. 8-12)

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June 1, 2024

Gr 3-6-A mysterious and fantastical tale centered around unexpected heroes: rats. Life is hard for 12-year-old Ratty Barclay, a four-foot-tall boy-turned-rat. Ratty is the latest victim of a curse that has affected his family since his great-great-great-grandfather's time. Determined to break free from the curse, Ratty embarks on a journey with his uncle to where it all began: Fairweather Island. On the island lives Edweena Gup, ratcatcher extraordinaire. Her single-minded determination to ensure that no rats live on Fairweather irritates the townspeople and alarms Ratty. As Ratty tries to end the mysterious curse, he must avoid the nosey and impassioned Edweena. Nearly every chapter contains a black-and-white illustration that will draw readers to impactful moments in the plot. Ratty is a compassionate character who cares for others, including all types of animals, endearing him to the audience. Edweena is a key character who provides much of the story's conflict. Though she has reasons for hating rats, her character experiences a lot of growth. Many readers will identify with her as the story works to destigmatize rats as dirty, diseased creatures, portraying them in a more positive light. The premise of the book may turn off some readers and the obvious answer to the mystery makes the plot drag a bit; but the prose is skillfully crafted and the conclusion contains a heartwarming message. VERDICT A bizarre, sweet story of self-discovery and compassion that the right readers will enjoy, if they can get past the rodents of unusual size.-Nicolette Pavain

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