R-T, Margaret, And The Rats Of Nimh (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) [School & Library Binding]

Jane Leslie Conly (Author), Leonard Lubin (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Lost in the North Woods, Margaret and her shy, mute brother, RT, are saved and nurtured by the rats of NIMH, but a return to civilization could mean the end of the world of NIMH should the children divulge the secret of their rescue.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Margaret feels responsible when she and her autistic brother Artie (R-T) get lost in the woods. But when she discovers that Artie has kept secret from her the mysterious visits to their newly-discovered cave by a talking rat named Christopher, she is furious. Her plan to hold Christopher hostage in exchange for a rat escort home backfires; and the youngsters find themselves spending a glorious summer with the super-intelligent rats from NIMH, while learning about living off the land through their own resourcefulness. This fast-paced adventure fantasy revolves around the metamorphosis of overweight, unhappy Margaret. Though too many of the relationships among Conly's minor characters spark briefly only to fizzle out--demanding less emotional commitment than earlier installments in the Rats of NIMH saga--the novel proves enjoyable for its excitement and believably drawn characterizations of the children and their amazing rodent friends. Ages 9-12.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-- Overweight and sullen, Margaret resents the way her family's life has to revolve around younger brother, Artie, who was left with the inability to speak following an illness in infancy. While on a camping trip, the two children become hopelessly lost, and are discovered by Christopher, one of the younger generation rats from Rasco and the Rats of NIMH (Harper, 1986) . The children are accepted into the Thorn Valley community, and Margaret slowly discovers her own worth as she helps the rats accomplish major tasks that her size makes easy. Artie is treated with kindness and compassion, even though his clumsiness causes several disasters. With the approach of winter, the rats realize that they cannot provide the children with shelter against the cold, and the painful decision is made to return the children to their home and trust that they will be able to keep quiet about the rats' existence. This new adventure about the rats of NIMH does not disappoint. The characters are full and rich, and Margaret's change from an unhappy, unpleasant girl to one with strong self-esteem is gradual and believable. The plot is strong, and while the climax is quieter than in the previous books, it is heart-wrenching. The ending begs for a sequel, and so will readers. --Susan M. Harding, Mesquite Public Library, TX
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• School & Library Binding: 260 pages
• Publisher: Turtleback (September 8, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0833553070
• ISBN-13: 978-0833553072
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,407,197 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as the first two, but still good, December 15, 2002

By 

R. Daniel (Marietta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: R-T, Margaret, and the Rats of NIMH (Paperback)

I loved Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH every since I was in middle school. I read an excerpt from it in a literature textbook and had to read the entire novel. It became an all-time favorite of mine!

I was well into adulthood when I found out the daughter of the late author Robert C. O'Brien had written two sequels. I eagerly bought them and read them. I can't tell you what a joy it was to go back and visit those beloved characters again and pick up where the first book left off. I have to applaud Ms. Conly for continuing this series in the way she did. You really do believe it is the same author writing them! This was a very fitting tribute to her father. The way the original book ended, you know O'Brien intended to write a sequel, had he lived.

I enjoyed this third installment for the most part and liked the introduction of the two human characters. The only real problem I have with R-T, Margaret, and the Rats of NIMH is the fact that you have animals talking to humans. I can suspend disbelief when animals are talking to other animals, but with people it is a bit of a stretch, even if the animal is super-intelligent. But that is just a minor complaint, and this is a children's novel, right? So it can be overlooked. I would recommend this book to anyone 9 to 13 years old, but only after they have read the first two books. I did like it, but not quite as much as the others.

Now if only Jane Leslie Conly would continue the series! Why stop at a trilogy? And why haven't these books been released as a high quality hardback box set? Oh well, maybe one day..

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An uninspired finish to the Rats of N.I.M.H., January 11, 2007

By 

James Pettis (West Memphis, AR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: R-T, Margaret, And The Rats Of Nimh (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (School & Library Binding)

The first book, "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of N.I.M.H.", was excellent (yes, even better than the movie). The second book, "Racso and the Rats of N.I.M.H.", was a very good sequel - not as good as the first, but well in line with the spirit and quality of the original (and fortunately completely divorced from the poor second movie). This third book is average at best. It centers alternately on Racso and two human children. Although Racso is not an unappealing character, the significant focus on the humans in the book takes the story outside of what a N.I.M.H. fan like myself enjoys about the stories. I also found the ending to be depressing and predictable. Only recommended to die-hard N.I.M.H. fans.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an exciting, thrilling, yet sad book., March 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: R-T, Margaret, and the Rats of Nimh (Turtleback)

This is the third book in the series of NIHM books. It tells what happens when two kids get lost in the forest and have the opportunity to get to befriend the rats of NIHM. The ending is terrific! Is there a fourth book in the series?? Please let me know. I want to know what happens to these creatures that have become so intelligent!