Taggerung (Redwall)

After Sawney Rath kidnaps one of Redwall's baby otters believing that he will become Taggerung, a legendary warrior hero, the otter grows to resent his kidnappers and soon finds himself in a dangerous struggle to make his way back home to the family and friends he knows and loves. 175,000 first printing.

Gr 5 Up-Here's book 14 in the Redwall dynasty, and Jacques shows no sign of flagging. As in the last book, the story is framed as a recounting of deeds of derring-do and high adventure. A baby otter is kidnapped by the vermin horde, whose leader believes him to be the epic hero Taggerung. As the otter grows, he runs away from his evil foster clan and, with the help of many good friends, particularly the harvest mouse Nimbalo, he finally makes his way home to Redwall. Supporting this plot are the two pillars of Redwall literature-food and those amazing accents. The English Public School hares, with their "laddie bucks" and "wots?" are of course fabulous, as are the nearly unintelligible moles and hedgehogs. Who can resist a story that is constantly carrying on about deeper'n'ever beet and hotroot pie, hot scones, and watershrimp soup? The fact that fans will devour this book is doubtless. As with all the other titles in the series, no prior knowledge of Redwall and its denizens is needed to ensure enjoyment. However, having read this one, new fans will undoubtedly be back for seconds and thirds.

Patricia A. Dollisch, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Redwall lovers, rejoice! The epic continues with Taggerung, the 14th book in Brian Jacques's popular series. An otter born in Redwall Abbey is kidnapped by members of an opposing clan who believe he is destined to be a great Taggerung, or warrior hero; Tagg later rebels against his adoptive tribe and goes in search of his true home.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 5-8. Jacques works his expected yarn-telling magic in this fourteenth Redwall tale. This time the hero is Taggerung, an otter kidnapped in infancy and raised as the adopted son of Sawny Rath, a savage ferret who leads a murderous band of stoats, rats, weasels, foxes, and ferrets. As Tagg matures, a rift develops between him and Sawny, revolving, in part, around Tagg's refusal to maim or kill an adversary. The enmity grows, and Tagg leaves the clan. Meanwhile, back at Redwall Abbey, the missing otter babe is mourned, but life goes on in its usual manner, with much feasting and rollicking as well as some danger and sadness. Of course, Tagg eventually makes his way back to the abbey, discovers his identity, meets his mother and his sister--who has just become the Redwall's new abbess--and helps save the day. Sally Estes
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