THE TALE OF THE SWAMP RAT

Guided by an ancient alligator, a silent young rat learns to find his own way in the drought-stricken swamp, despite having been orphaned under circumstances that sometimes cause other animals to reject him.

Grade 4-8-Crocker has created a realistic fantasy world, set in the swampland of Florida and populated with the animals that reside there. This timeless tale of an unexpected hero is narrated in a traditional folklore style by a mole who tells "every bit, just as it was. The rest I made up, as best I could." Ossie is the runt of his swamp rat litter. When his parents and siblings are devoured by an evil rattlesnake, he escapes, and is surprised to find himself cared for by Uncle Will, a huge and ancient alligator. Will teaches him how to survive and trust himself, even imparting thousands of years' worth of history available only through alligator memory in his dreams. From Will, Ossie learns about the Indians, runaway slaves, and the poachers who have inhabited the area. As the young rat gains self-confidence, he befriends turtles, birds, possums, armadillos, and especially a beautiful young swamp rat, Emma. As the seasons pass, the drought that is overtaking the swamp grows serious, eventually forcing a migration that puts Ossie in a position to save them all. There are memorable characters here-good, evil, and very human-like Preacher, a kind heron, and Bubba, a mean-spirited stork. Simple ink drawings embellish the beginning of each chapter. With Southern flavor, adventure, and environmental drama, Ossie's tale of finding his own way in the world will hit close to home for many.
Susan Oliver, Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System, FL
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 4-8. Narrated by an observant (and admittedly hyperbolic) mole, this charming tale introduces Ossie, a young swamp rat orphaned and injured after a snake attacks his family. Saved by the wise alligator Uncle Will, Ossie grows up with a ragtag bunch of friends, including a timid mouse and a slow-talking gopher. But trouble comes to the swamp in the form of drought, and just as it seems Ossie has found a home and a girl--the delightful rat, Emma--a rabble-rousing ibis, the Prophet Bubba, claims that Ossie caused the drought. Ossie is abandoned all over again and must win the swamp community's trust back. All the characters are well drawn, and the romance between Emma and Ossie is surprisingly sweet. But the swamp itself is the star of this story, and Crocker evokes its complex ecology with clever phrasing and a laid-back southern storytelling style. The plot elements may be familiar, but the writing is uncommonly evocative, and this is the kind of folkloric fiction that kids can treasure. John Green
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