Rat Trap

by Michael J. Daley

Book Overview

In this adventure of genetically engineered rats, evil scientists, and some scientists who may just save the day, young readers will be thrilled to welcome back Jeff and Rat in this charming sequel to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0823420930
• ISBN13: 9780823420933
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Holiday House
• Length: 212 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 7 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Grades 2 to 4

Customer Reviews

Engaging, clever, and fun. Perfect for a young reader.

This is a sequel to Mr. Daley's "Space Station Rat." If your young reader enjoyed the first book, then this is an absolute must-read for him or her. The original story is extended and expanded, with more of the same mix of exciting action and heartwarming interaction between Jeff and Rat. Jeff's mom & dad play a slightly larger role (but in the grand tradition of juvenile fiction most adults tend to stay in the wings rather than take the main stage), and there are a couple of new friends (and enemies) to meet. One thing I like about Mr. Daley's style is that although it's very clear that the series is intended for a younger (think 8-11ish) audience, he doesn't "dumb it down." Instead, he uses very clean and efficient prose alongside themes, plot elements and characters that young readers would enjoy. For example, in Rat Trap he draws two pictures of scientists who have very similar aims. One imbues an animal (Jeff's beloved friend Rat) with intelligence. The other does the same for a computer, creating an Artificial Intelligence. The former thinks of her creation as chattel. The latter as her child. Jeff has to struggle with the concept of the injustice of one intelligent being "owning" another just as Rat has to struggle with the conflict of her desire to be free of those who would enslave her and her desire to trust Jeff's friendship. Although I'm sure he appreciated this book more for its pure sci-fi action and fun, my eleven year old was able to identify and understand these themes with no difficulty. I liked the underlying themes because they gave us something we could have deep philosophical over-a-cup-of-cocoa discussions about. The pacing was just right for a young reader. There's plenty of action to keep them engaged and wanting to read the next chapter, peppered with the right amount of description and character development to make the action come alive. Throw in a couple of plot twists (which I won't mention here to avoid spoiling the surprise), and you have a very nice sequel sure to make your child hope there's a third installment in the works. Suggested discussion questions (these are things my 11 year old and I actually talked about): 1. Is it right for Jeff to think of Rat as "his" or "his pet?" 2. Is it right for someone to give intelligence to an animal or machine? 3. How did the two sets of scientists treat their creations differently? 4. Is Rat right to hate all human beings? 5. Can you find any examples of self-sacrifice by characters in the book? Which were the most important? 6. How could the adults in this story handled things better? 7. Wasn't it cool when Rat (insert cool thing Rat did here)? (repeat this one about a gazillionty times)