Rat Rule 79: An Adventure

Fred is tired of moving around with her professor mother, and her dissatisfaction peaks just prior to her 13th birthday. Unable to sleep, she catches her mom stepping into a large paper lantern that has unaccountably appeared in their new living room, and so she follows. She finds herself in a strange new world inhabited by animals, most of whom are bound by rules created by the mysterious missing Rat Queen. (Of note is the titular Rat Rule 79, which states that children will no longer grow up and that time will no longer pass.) Along with new friends Downer the elephant and Gogo the mongoose, Fred embarks on an epic series of adventures to find her mother and locate the infamous Rat Queen. Peppered throughout the sweetly playful text are tidbits of wisdom that highlight the perceived injustices of youth and the qualities of growing older. Galchen's charming middle-grade debut is filled with life lessons wrapped in occasionally over-the-top wordplay, and Megalos's whimsical salmon-tinged illustrations provide a delightful counterpoint. Though absurdist situations and plays on logic can at times overwhelm the plot, the novel's underlying messages are as timeless as its tethers to classic works of children's fantasy. Ages 10-up. Agent: Bill Clegg, the Clegg Agency. (Sept.)

Gr 4 Up Fred is sick of moving. Her math professor mother has moved them to five places in the last six years. On the eve of her 13th birthday, Fred's lack of friends to celebrate with has made her angrier than usual. After storming off to her room, she is surprised when time passes without her mother coming to check on her. When she goes to investigate, she sees her mother dressed for a party and standing in front of a giant paper lantern—which she then walks into and disappears. Fred makes the momentous decision to follow her, and thus begins her journey in the land of impossibility. Following in the tradition of many nonsense tales, adventures ensue as Fred meets Downer, a depressed elephant, and a truculent mongoose named Gogo. Together they help Fred navigate a world where time is outlawed and residents live by the rules of the mysterious Rat Queen. Fred and her friends encounter a variety of odd creatures as they struggle to solve a riddle that could be the ultimate solution to their varying problems. A consistently droll tone carries the story along. Math and math-inspired tales are threaded throughout, along with amusing word play and many a meta moment. Megalos's intricate illustrations lend beauty and expression to the story, offering a much-needed connection to the strange characters and setting. VERDICT Loopy, confusing, and in love with its own cleverness, this story occasionally feels like a slog and may appeal more to adults in search of a nostalgic read. Give to dedicated fans of classic novels like Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth, L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. A secondary purchase for most libraries.-Kristy Pasquariello, Westwood Public Library, MA