  | When you wish upon a rat Author: McCarthy, Maureen | |
| Price: $6.50 | ||
Summary:
Ready to swap her disappointing family and school life for something better, eleven-year-old Ruth Craze is granted three wishes from Rodney the Rat, a slightly sinister stuffed animal that was a gift from her favorite aunt.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 4.60 Points: 9.0 Quiz: 153176 | Reading Counts Information: Interest Level: 3-5 Reading Level: 4.30 Points: 16.0 Quiz: 58466 | |
Common Core Standards
Grade 3 → Reading → RL Literature → 3.RL Key Ideas & Details
Grade 3 → Reading → RL Literature → 3.RL Craft & Structure
Grade 3 → Reading → RL Literature → 3.RL Integration & Knowledge of Ideas
Grade 4 → Reading → RL Literature → 4.RL Key Ideas & Details
Grade 4 → Reading → RL Literature → 4.RL Range of Reading & Level of Text Complexity
Grade 4 → Reading → RL Literature → 4.RL Craft & Structure
Grade 4 → Reading → RL Literature → 4.RL Integration & Knowledge of Ideas
Grade 4 → Reading → RL Literature → Texts Illustrating the Complexity, Quality, & Rang
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (-) (08/15/12)
School Library Journal (12/01/12)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 12/01/2012 Gr 3–6—In this fantasy set firmly in a realistic world, Ruth, who is responsible and organized, feels that she doesn't belong in her lackadaisical family as they don't appreciate her. In addition, she has been rejected by her group of friends at school for not being cool enough. Ruth's beloved aunt gives her the gift of a mysterious stuffed rat, which is lost on the side of the road during a scuffle with her brother. After her aunt dies, and with the encouragement of a boy in her class, Ruth returns to find the rat and discovers that he is magical: he gives her three chances to choose a different life. In each case, she is able to stay in that version for up to a day, but before the day is up, she has to find a hidden door if she wishes to escape. If she fails to do so, she will remain in that reality forever. The rat's ability to understand Ruth's desires are somewhat questionable, and Ruth lands up first in a "perfect" family, then in an orphanage. Through these magical experiences she grows in wisdom and understanding. The predictable ending is enlivened by the suggestion that Ruth was able to influence the present during her time in an alternate life set in the past, and by the side plot about her friend who is being abused by his father. Middle grade readers who like their fantasy with a good dose of realistic fiction will appreciate this one.—Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City - Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
