The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents

Author: Terry Pratchett

Reading level:  Ages 12 and up

Summary:

From Publishers Weekly

For this outrageously cheeky tale, British writer Pratchett pairs a dynamite plot with memorable characters a group of intelligent rats sporting such monikers as Hamnpork, Big Savings and Darktan (they've been foraging in the University of Wizards' garbage dump and come up with "the kind of name you gave yourself if you learned to read before you understood what all the words actually meant"), plus a "stupid-looking kid" with a flute and a criminal kitty mastermind named Maurice. The motley con artists' pied piper scam is highly successful until the rats develop a conscience. Reluctantly, they agree to one final heist, but in the town of Bad Blintz things go horribly, hilariously wrong. First, they're twigged by Malicia Grim (granddaughter and grand-niece of the Sisters Grim), then they encounter a pair of conniving rat-catchers, a real pied piper and an evil something lurking in the town's cellars. They triumph, of course, and there's even a glimmer of redemption for the deliciously self-centered Maurice, who tackles the "Grim Squeaker" and bargains for the life of his rat comrade Dangerous Beans. In the end, while the others settle down, Maurice hits the road and is last seen approaching another "stupid-looking kid" with a money-making proposition.

Reviews: 

There's a lot of humor in this book.  I love the names of the rats: Dangerous Beans, Additives, Big Savings, Toxie, and Sardines, and also the tap-dancing rat with a hat to the incident with the laxatives. The way he has written the dialogue is still brilliant.

But Pratchett doesn't forget the deeper currents either -- the sense of evil he builds up is very genuine, and Spider is one of the most unique fantasy villains he's created. Also good is the attitude of the Changed rats: they cherish their greater intelligence, fear their instincts, and gradually we see them overcome some of those ratty instincts.

In a way this book is about having dreams and trying to fulfill those dreams; and getting disillusioned along the way but not giving up. However, it has no morality overtones and despite its seriousness, it is also pretty funny.  The story ends on a happy note too but it isn't overly saccharine. In a way, it's like pop philosophy and a good story rolled into one.

Even though I am an adult, I still enjoyed this book a lot because it is fun to read.

Award:  2011 Margaret A. Edwards Award