Customer Reviews

Racso and the Rats of NIMH

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

"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.

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.

"Racso and the Rats of NIMH" is one of the best books I have ever read. It's about a rat named Racso who has always wanted to be a scientist. So Racso ran away from home in the city to try to learn to read and write. During this time a young mouse by the name of Timothy was going to school in Thorn Valley where the rats of NIMH lived. On his way to school he met Racso. Timothy invited Racso to come to school with him. When they got to Thorn Valley they were four days late because Timothy was usually flown by a crow named Jeremy. The rest is for you to read, and I definitely recommend you do. I really liked the way Jane Leslie Conly put the story together to get the book, and how Racso told tall tales, like his family was very rich and lived in the bottom of a mansion. I thought that was funny. What I didn't like was that the book was too long, way too long to read in two weeks. I read over 200 pages in about a week and on Tuesday I read over 100 pages. I recommend this book to people who like funny adventure stories like the first one, "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH". Review by Jacob Gilden, Duniway School, 4th grade.

I read Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH in school. I thought it was the best book I ever read(and I read a lot!). I got Racso and
the Rats of NIMH at my local library, and after some thinking, I think Racso and the Rats of NIMH is better than the original. It
has a thicker plot, faster paced chapters, and more dangers. It reveals a lot of secrets that the original creates. But it has one weakness. I'm 11 and in fifth grade, and some of the lines are more for younger kids. But it still deserves 5 stars. I'd reccomend it to anyone who has read the original. If you haven't
read the original, start reading!

This would be one of the best books I have read in a long time, and I am pretty picky about what I read. After reading Robert C'obrians "Mrs.Frisby and the rats of nimh" I was very inspiered and felt I wanted to read the next book. I like the charecter, Racso so much I bought a black birre (hat)to look like him. Jane Leslie Conly did such a good job on continuing the story, that I thought it was the same author. I started out thinking that Mrs.Frisby and the rats of nimh would be boring, and I ended up loving the book. I have started to read RT, Margaret and the rats of nimh and think I will enjoy it very much.

The sequel to the outrageously wonderful, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, Racso and the Rats of Nimh is just as entertaining and fun to read. A new rat from the city, named Racso, is trying to find these rats of Nimh, but little do they know that Racso has a lot in common with their history.

I found Rasco to be a very enjoyable character. He didn't start off on the right foot, and had a problem with pride and wanting to do things his own way, but he had a good heart and really wanted to fit in. His character developed from his experience at the rats' school and his participation in handling the crisis they all faced. It was a very good sequel to Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.

My daughter and I love the Rats of NIMH stories. Racso and the Rats of NIMH is one of the books in a series. You get very involved with all the characters in the story. My daughter who is nine just can't wait until we read every night to find out what is going to happen next. After reading these stories you never look at rats and mice in the same way again. The book makes you appreciate nature and all forms of life. It is a wonderful story and we recommend it highly.

The sequel to the wonderful classic story Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH - widely enjoyed by children and adults, is a great follow up which I recommend to all fans of the original book. While not nearly as incredible as the first, I still give this one a four star rating, and just like the first one, many adults will also enjoy this title, which I read years later after originally reading the first book in early Junior High. I picked up and read the original again as an adult, then when I realized their was a sequel (there is also a third book in the series as well), I had to find out if it was any good. I was pleased.
I also enjoy the subtle but detectable and obviously intentional social and political commentary in both the original and this book, which spawns out of the rats' community which represents a microcosm of society.
I recommend the title to any fan of the original - to those who have not read the original, you should if you are a child or an adult. If you like NIMH, you will like this one as well.