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The Rat with the Human Face: The Qwikpick Papers, Book 2
By Andrea Beach,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Second fun adventure is creepier, less gross.
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What's the Story?
Qwikpick Adventure Society founders and members Lyle, Dave, and Marilla are wondering what their next adventure could be when they overhear a man talking about how he saw a rat with a human face at a research station up in the mountains. The kids immediately decide they have to see it too. But it's an hour's drive away, so figuring out how to get there without asking any parents to drive them puts their creativity and planning skills to the test. Once they make it into the basement where the rat was seen, they become trapped with no way out. If they ever make it out of the basement, will the Adventure Society -- and their friendship -- survive?
Is It Any Good?
THE RAT WITH THE HUMAN FACE continues the fun for big kids and tweens, this time with an emphasis on the creepy. Kids who like being grossed out will revel in the prospect of finding the title creature and the creepy specimen jars in the research lab. The heroes are from refreshingly diverse backgrounds, and kids will be encouraged to think about how we look at those with little money.
The book's design, with its mixture of typewriter type, handwritten notes, photos, and illustrations, is engaging and will lure reluctant readers. Kids really will relate to the believable, relatable main characters and will enjoy the suspense that keeps those pages turning in this ridiculously fun adventure.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why "gross-out" books are so popular. What's so funny, and fascinating, about gross stuff?
Did you read Poop Fountain!, the first book in the series? Is this book as good? Which do you like better? If you didn't read it, do you want to now?
The three friends have a rhyming contest going. Which rhymes can you think of as you go through your day? Can you find any three-syllable rhymes?
Book Details
- Author: Tom Angleberger
- Illustrator: Jen Wang
- Genre: Friendship
- Topics: Adventures , Friendship
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Amulet Books
- Publication date: April 21, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 160
- Available on: Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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