The Red-Hot Rattoons

By Elizabeth Winthrop

Book Overview

A rollicking adventure about five tap-dancing country rats who come to the Big City to seek fame, with drawings by Betsy Lewin Armed with a boom box, a stage wardrobe, and a tube of city maps, five tap-dancing country rats, who call themselves the Rattoons, set off to seek their fame in Rat Hollow-the rat community that pulses with a life all its own beneath the streets of New York City. But when Rat Hollow turns its back on them, the Rattoons break the law and take their act aboveground to dance for humans in front of the Metropolitan Museum, only to find that danger assails them from every direction. So the Rattoons turn to Oliver String Bean Bailey, the legendary human impresario who knows rat speak. Will he help them achieve their dancing dream? A rollicking fun-filled adventure, The Red-Hot Rattoons tells the story of a band of lovable characters whose loyalty to one another proves more important than fame and glory.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805072292
• ISBN13: 9780805072297
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.8" x 6.2"
• Age Range: 9 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 9

Customer Reviews

Fun, exciting, gripping

A book about dancing rats. Doesn't sound like a sure-fire winner, does it? But this tale of perserverance and determination makes a wonderful and gripping read. The fantasy rat world is only half the story--the other half is the fascinating account of the hard work, training, and innovation of the dance troupe. By the time the Rattoons get to Rat Hollow, you know how very hard they've worked, and you're rooting for their success. Not only was this a fun read, but it was an interesting and eye-opening look at the work that professional dancers put in before they're ready for the Boom-Boom Room.

A Tail (PUN INTENDED) Of Uncommon Valor...

... uncommon, because the valor is demonstrated by a group of five rat siblings. Each lives out his/her own quirks, qualities, and weaknesses, but more importantly, as a whole, they demonstrate the power of a group united by a dream. Along with all of *that,* it is a rollicking good read, full of adventures and mishaps, with eventual victory, though a surprising one! A terrific book for fourth through seventh graders.