R-T, Margaret, and the Rats of N I M H

Lost in the North Woods, Margaret and her shy, mute brother, R-T, are saved and nurtured by the rats of NIMH, but a return to civilization could mean the end of the world of NIMH should the children divulge the secret of their rescue

Grade 4-8-- Overweight and sullen, Margaret resents the way her family's life has to revolve around younger brother, Artie, who was left with the inability to speak following an illness in infancy. While on a camping trip, the two children become hopelessly lost, and are discovered by Christopher, one of the younger generation rats from Rasco and the Rats of NIMH (Harper, 1986) . The children are accepted into the Thorn Valley community, and Margaret slowly discovers her own worth as she helps the rats accomplish major tasks that her size makes easy. Artie is treated with kindness and compassion, even though his clumsiness causes several disasters. With the approach of winter, the rats realize that they cannot provide the children with shelter against the cold, and the painful decision is made to return the children to their home and trust that they will be able to keep quiet about the rats' existence. This new adventure about the rats of NIMH does not disappoint. The characters are full and rich, and Margaret's change from an unhappy, unpleasant girl to one with strong self-esteem is gradual and believable. The plot is strong, and while the climax is quieter than in the previous books, it is heart-wrenching. The ending begs for a sequel, and so will readers. --Susan M. Harding, Mesquite Public Library, TX
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Margaret feels responsible when she and her autistic brother Artie (R-T) get lost in the woods. But when she discovers that Artie has kept secret from her the mysterious visits to their newly-discovered cave by a talking rat named Christopher, she is furious. Her plan to hold Christopher hostage in exchange for a rat escort home backfires; and the youngsters find themselves spending a glorious summer with the super-intelligent rats from NIMH, while learning about living off the land through their own resourcefulness. This fast-paced adventure fantasy revolves around the metamorphosis of overweight, unhappy Margaret. Though too many of the relationships among Conly's minor characters spark briefly only to fizzle out--demanding less emotional commitment than earlier installments in the Rats of NIMH saga--the novel proves enjoyable for its excitement and believably drawn characterizations of the children and their amazing rodent friends. Ages 9-12.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.