Rats! [Paperback]

Jane Cutler (Author), Tracey Campbell Pearson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up

The Fraser brothers are back in this lighthearted sequel to "No Dogs Allowed." Now entering fourth grade, Jason wonders if it isn't time to find a new look in clothing and acquires an unwanted girlfriend whom Mrs. Fraser unwittingly invites to dinner. Edward, a first-grader, must face a pre-Halloween haunted house complete with spaghetti brains, and experiences mother-hood up close when his pet rat Spike, who isn't supposed to, has babies. With humorous black-and-white drawings, these five stories perfectly capture teh brothers' never-ending adventures.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4?In this sequel to No Dogs Allowed (Farrar, 1992), Cutler presents five, self-contained stories about seemingly routine events in the lives of Jason and his six-year-old brother Edward. The book begins just before the school year starts when the boys go on their annual shopping trip. Very conscious of his fourth-grade image, Jason insists on looking at everything before he makes any decisions. Edward, meanwhile, explores the wig department with hilarious results. The stories continue as Jason attempts to deal with the inexplicable courtship rites initiated by the girls; Edward struggles unsuccessfully with his Halloween fears; the boys run scientifically controlled experiments to prove that they are not really allergic to rats so they can have pets; and they cook up a clever plan to prevent their mother from learning that one of their new sweaters is ruined. What makes these stories so inviting and funny is Cutler's exceptional talent for describing events from the boys' rather literal point of view. The brothers are believable characters whose escapades and lively dialogue ring true. The subject matter and short chapters nicely broken up by Pearson's pen-and-ink illustrations should attract beginning chapter-book readers, but the author's wonderful sense of timing and the cadence and symmetry of her language make this title a natural for reading aloud to an even wider audience.?Maggie McEwen, Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, ME
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-5. In this sequel to No Dogs Allowed (1992), brothers Jason and Edward Fraser return to demonstrate again the humor found in everyday life: fourth-grader Jason unexpectedly finds himself going steady, first-grader Edward has his troubles at a haunted house, and the brothers must do some fast talking to get themselves the pet rats they feel they deserve. Although this does not have quite the ease of the last book (Edward walking around a department store with a wig on, being mistaken for a girl, seems particularly forced), there are still some very funny moments, and Tracey Campbell Pearson's drawings, as always, add to the fun. A logical alternative for kids who want books in the Cleary, Hurwitz vein. Ilene Cooper --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (March 19, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374462038
• ISBN-13: 978-0374462031
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,372,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My kids loved it!, August 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Rats! (Paperback)

I think the true measure of a children's book is how much children enjoy it, and mine LOVED this one. There is humor in it appropriate for various ages (both my 4- and 8-year-old laughed constantly). The interaction between the brothers is very believable, and instructive in many ways to my two boys.

I noticed that another reviewer was upset that the book wasn't all about rats; I wasn't actually expecting that.

We all heartily enjoyed "Rats!". I highly recommend it!

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible, April 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Rats! (Paperback)

The worst book I've ever read. Terrible humor, terrible stories, and only 1/4 of the book has to do with the animal called a rat. Do yourself a favor and DON'T BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!