Racso and the Rats of NIMH [Hardcover]

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

Book Description

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

‘Racso, a brash and boastful little rodent, is making his way to Thorn Valley, determined to learn how to read and write and become a hero. His bragging and lies get him off to a bad start, but a crisis gives him the opportunity to prove his mettle. A worthy successor [to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, a Newbery Medal winner by the author's father].' 'BL.

1986 Children's Editors' Choices (BL)
Children's Choices for 1987 (IRA/CBC)
Notable 1986 Childrens' Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
1986 Children's Books (NY Public Library)
Best Science Fiction/Fantasy 1986 (VOYA)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Taking up the tale where her father Robert C. O'Brien ended Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, Conly does full justice to his Newbery-winning novel. So does Lubin, depicting the endearing company that now includes a cheeky little rat named Rasco. Growing up in the city, Rasco has heard about the intelligent NIMH escapees from his father, Jenner. Leaving home, the boy is looking for the legendary rats who, he hopes, will help him to become educated and valorous. Rasco meets the gentle field mouse Timothy Frisby, on his way to the rats' school in the valley. The long journey cements their friendship as they rescue each other from perils before arriving at the peaceful colony. As time passes, the members get news of the worst possible danger, when Mrs. Frisby flies in on the wings of the crow Jeremy. Human beings, the widow warns, are about to flood the river, wiping out the rats' settlement. Rasco's learning is interrupted by the need to prove his heroism. He does that, rejoined by his father, who lends a self-sacrificing hand to his old comrades. The story is tense, funny and poignant in the classic tradition.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

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.
Copyright 1986 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
  
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (June 12, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060213620
• ISBN-13: 978-0060213626
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,137,714 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thoughtful book for grade schoolers, December 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Racso and the Rats of NIMH (Paperback)

Children who enjoyed _Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH_ will be pleased to find that they can continue the adventure with _Racso and the Rats of NIMH_, regardless of what adults may think. Some criticize this book as being of lower quality than the first, but to the child many of the distinctions are negligible. The first does indeed have a superior story and writing style, and I do personally prefer it, but _Racso.._ is an excellent companion as told from a different point of view. Much like Brian Jacques' Redwall series, these books share settings more than they do characters. Set some time after the first book, _Racso.._ takes place primarily in the school set up by Nicodemus and the other rats of NIMH to teach young mice and rats and fulfill their plan of making their kind independant of mankind. To adults, the story may seem less magical than the first because it incorporates more elements of human life and interaction rather than creating a separate society (as in _Watership Down_), but as a child I did not see the difference. Indeed, the idea of the young mice going to school only made logical sense to me, and in hindsight I believe it may even have given me a greater appreciation for education.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Does not live up to the original novel, August 9, 2006

By 

a reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: Racso and the Rats of NIMH (Paperback)

"Racso and the Rats of NIMH" stands on its own as an average children's book. Despite a predictable and generic plotline, it has some cute and funny moments. Plus, I think younger readers can sympathize and identify with the lead character, Racso, and his troubles adjusting to life all on his own in a new home and new school.

However, as a sequel to Robert O'Brien's "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH", Conly's novel falls short in many ways. The latter is clearly directed at a simpler-minded audience, leaving nothing up to the imagination, no room to imagine and dream. The beautifully unresolved ending of "Mrs. Frisby," which I consider one of the most memorable and poignant endings of any children's book I've read, is in "Racso" completely downplayed, even cheapened. O'Brien's themes and messages are subtle, allowing the readers to think for themselves and come to their own conclusions; Conly presents her ideas so directly and unimaginatively, they seem to jump out and slap you in the face.

While Conly's characters may be appealing to children, they seem stereotyped and unconvincing compared to the vividly realistic personalities O'Brien gave to his original cast. Similarly, I thought Conly focused too much on trying to make 'hero' characters who single-handedly saved the day, rather than weaving threads of interdependence throughout the story as O'Brien did.

Over all, "Racso" is a typical young-childrens' book that is neither great nor terrible. However, its lack of continuity with the original makes it a disappointing sequel.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very enjoyable read, June 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Racso and the Rats of NIMH (Paperback)

My children (ages 4,5, and 7) and I really enjoyed this sequel to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. I admit that I didn't expect this book to be as good as the original, but was pleasantly surprised. While the story was not as focused on some of our old friends (Mrs. Frisby, Nicodemus, Mr. Ages), the new characters were loads of fun to read about. We liked meeting Racso and hearing all about life in Thorn Valley. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the first one as much as we did.