Play Library

Rasco and the Rats of NIHM

by Julie on March 5th, 2008

My 8 year old son is reading Racso and the Rats of NIMH and he says it’s the best book he has ever read. You have no idea how good it is to hear him say that because it’s pretty hard to get him to read most of the times.

His teacher gives them time every day to sit down with a book and read. She also challenges them to go beyond the reading level they think they can understand. He has really started to love books and thatmakes me one happy momma.

This book is the sequel to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH . For the most part, everyone on Amazon gives this book a raving review. I told my son I get the book when he’s done. :D

Here’s a description of the book below the cut. 

Grade 4-7 This sequel to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (Atheneum, 1971), written by O’Brien’s daughter, continues the NIMH saga with a focus on the second rodent generation: Timothy, Mrs. Frisby’s son, and Racso, son of the rebel rat Jenner. On his way to classes at Thorn Valley, Timothy saves Racso’s life but is himself severely injured. Both reach the Utopian colony only to discover that the valley and surrounding farms are to be turned into a tourist lake and campgrounds. Insecure and arrogant when he first arrives, Racso learns more than just how to read. In fact it is he who suggests a plan to save the colonysabotaging the dam site computer. Although the rats’ plans fail, the dam opening is postponed by a heroic act of Racso’s father. While the continuation of the NIMH story is most welcome, Conly’s novel lacks the light touch of O’Brien’s work, as well as the richness of character development and description. Timothy, for example, is too perfect a mouse to be very interesting, and the leader Nicodemus is often a tedious moralizer. Racso, on the other hand, is most appealing when he gets into trouble. Mrs. Frisby, Jeremy and Mr. Ages are unfortunately peripheral characters in this story. Conly sets the stage for the next sequel, for one reporter appears to believe that the computer was sabotaged by intelligent rats. Perhaps in the next installment, Racso’s joie de vivre will rub off on the other rodents of Thorn Valley.Yvonne A. Frey, Peoria Public Lib . , Ill.

Share This

Related Stories

Does Gaming Make Kids Dumber

POSTED IN: Book Review, Children's Books, Children's Books (11 to 14 yrs), Children's Books (6 to 10 yrs)