From the Publisher
An Amazon Best Book of the Month!
"This book has heart, humor, mystery, and one great big lovable rat! Who could ask for more?"
—Barbara O'Connor, New York Times bestselling author of Wish
"In Ratty, Selfors cleverly tickles your funny bone, and tugs brilliantly at every last heartstring."
—Donna Barba Higuera, Newbery Award-winning author of The Last Cuentista
"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." —Booklist
"Ratty shows that kindness and caring can change even the most fixed mindsets." —Kirkus Reviews
"A mysterious and fantastical tale centered around unexpected hero's." —School Library Journal
School Library Journal
06/01/2024
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
Kirkus Reviews
2024-04-05
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)
