by Kara LaReau School Library Journal Gr 2-4-Everyone in the Big City knows the Ratsos. Third grader Ralphie and fifth grader Louie live with their father, Big Lou, in the animal metropolis. Their mother's unexplained absence has the family resorting to "toughness" as a means of survival. Big Lou tells his sons to "hang tough." These half-pints surmise that talking about your feelings, making friends, and being kind are only for "softies." They plan to show how tough they are by pulling pranks on their classmates and neighbors. But all of their antics backfire, leading to unwanted consequences. This animal protagonist tale is lighthearted and fun. The writing is straightforward and easy, while the pen-and-ink artwork is detailed. These characters are complex enough to interest newly independent readers, and the story resolution is heartfelt and solid. The father-son dynamic is realistic and honest. Young readers will feel for the family as they learn to deal with the absence of a loved one. This slender novel packs a strong message of overcoming loss through love and kindness. VERDICT A solid purchase; a chapter book that entertains and uplifts.-Sada Mozer, Los Angeles Public Library © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. (c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Book list Louis and Ralphie Ratso yearn to be tough like their unsmiling, truck-driving dad, Big Lou. But stealing a hat from a hulking bully only makes them playground heroes, and concocting a smelly sandwich to prank a lonely new student only earns her gratitude, as they accidentally make her favorite lunch. In the frequent illustrations, Myers dresses the rat siblings in suitably seedy garb and places them in rundown urban settings. But when Big Lou learns of these good/bad deeds, he looks at the photo of Mama Ratso (ambiguously described as gone) and tearfully says, I should be trying to be more like you. He continues, Life is tough enough. We might as well try to make it easier for one another, whenever we can. So right.--Peters, John Copyright 2016 Booklist From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission. Publishers Weekly Louie and Ralphie Ratso are determined to be as tough as their truck-driver father, but the rats' efforts go hilariously awry in this funny, thoughtful, and smart chapter book. In episodic escapades, they steal a classmate's hat, make a new student a sandwich from the "worst foods they can find," and soap a neighbor's windows, only to be met with gratitude. "Pickled mushrooms and beets and eggplant, just like my nana used to make!" gushes gleeful sandwich recipient Fluffy Rabbitski. LaReau packs substantial comedy and poignant emotion into each chapter (the boys' mother has "been gone for a little while now"), adeptly amplified by Myers's spot art. Ages 5-8. Author's agent: Barry Goldblatt, Barry Goldblatt Literary. Illustrator's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved |
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