Vasco, Leader of the Tribe
By Terreece Clarke,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Tale of rodent bravery has intense fight scenes.
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What's the Story?
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.
Is It Any Good?
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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?
Book Details
- Author: Anne-Laure Bondoux
- Genre: Animals
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Delacorte Press
- Publication date: November 13, 2007
- Number of pages: 352
- Last updated: September 28, 2015
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