Common Sense Note
Parents need to know there are some pretty graphic fight scenes between the rats. Some rats are killed and their broken bodies are described. One rat is blinded by another and there are several descriptions of a mouse tasting the blood of another rat during a fight. There are fights for revenge, cruelty, food, political position, and territory.
Families can talk about loyalty and animal cruelty. How is Vasco's loyalty to his tribe recognized? Vasco often proves himself to be brave. How does he do this? How are humans portrayed in this book? Does this book change your view of "vermin"? Why or why not?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Terreece Clarke
Author Anne-Laure Bondoux immerses readers in a world that is familiar -- city streets, the deepest bowels of a ship -- and gives it a new perspective. Through the eyes of Vasco, a rat who has recently lost his entire tribe to a mysterious new weapon from men, we experience the dangerous world of rat tribes. There is political intrigue, diplomacy, family values, and war.
Readers will lose themselves in the twitches, scurries, and nuances of being a rat. Bondoux has captured the rat world with so much imagination and detail it's hard to believe she's never lived among them. However sensitive readers especially will be put off by the brutal fighting scenes. They sometimes overshadow the story, piling on more and more conflict rather than working toward a more satisfying conclusion.
From The Book
Vasco leaped to his paws. Men had come! They had caught his tribe! But how? And why? He ran in circles around Memona, uttering squeaks of despair. But Memona seemed to ignore his cries. She was already somewhere else.
Gathering all her strength, Memona dragged herself across the paving stones, gripping the uneven surface of the ground to inch forward. She puffed. She groaned. Distraught, Vasco followed her. He didn't understand what was going on. Seeing Memona in pain made him feel helpless. He could only watch as the old rat crawled past the wheels of the machine and, in full view, made her way toward the edge of the wharf.
A few steps from the water, Memona's body stiffened. She could no longer move. Vasco brought his snout closer and gently nibbled her. Memona jerked slightly and extended her neck toward the water. An opaque veil came over her eyes, as if she were looking at the world through a thick glass window. She opened her mouth suddenly, showing the two worn canines of her lower jaw.
"They are all dead," she said. "And so am I. You're the last one."
Plot Summary:
Vasco has a mystery on his hands. When his tribe and millions of other rats begin disappearing, he has to figure out what's happening to them. A long journey full of danger, hope, agony, and peace lies before him.
Related Books:
More Small Creatures:
The Great American Mousical by Julie Andrews Edwards
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
Watership Down by Richard Adams
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Reviewed: 06/10/2008
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Sexual ContentMice pick mates, have babies, and nurse their babies. |
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ViolenceMen kill rats in giant machines and rats fight gruesome wars with each other. Rats are described biting and clawing each other to death over food, territory, and leadership rights. They describe the taste of blood. One rat's back is broken when a human hits him. Another incident involves starving rats trying to eat newborn baby rats. |
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Social BehaviorCharacters are shown acting with bravery, mercy, and heroism in the face of many dangers. |
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