Rudy the Runt

by Renee Riva

“In this heartwarming adventure, Rudy the Runt will capture the hearts of children, while teaching the virtues of compassion, mercy, and friendship.” Voted “World’s Best Runt Tale” by The Rodent Times Review . Little Rudy can’t imagine anything better than living in the Guatemala City Dump; a rodent’s paradise full of tasty treats, a Barbie mansion with a pool, and his own fire truck. Unfortunately, life isn’t so good for children living nearby in makeshift shacks. For kids like eleven-year-old Lupe, it’s all about survival. When the young Guatemalan girl rescues Rudy from the dump bully; a tomcat named Jigsaw, Rudy repays her kindness by finding treasures she can sell and trade for food. Rudy comes up with many clever and comical ways to outwit Jigsaw, who would like nothing better than to turn Rudy into a little mouse pull-a-part. Surfing, skurfing, and playing in a Calypso-go-go band, are only a few of the highlights on Rudy’s mercy mission beach get-a-way. All is well—until Jigsaw shows up on the scene. The discovery of a beach treasure could change everything for Lupe’s family. But can Rudy trick Jigsaw into helping him pull off the most important mission of his life? Based on a true story—kind of.

63 pages, Paperback

First published July 23, 2006

About the author

Renee Riva has been writing humorous stories ever since she won her first writing contest in second grade. She now has over 20 titles and writes inspirational fiction for David C. Cook, and clean romance for Forget Me Not Romances. Her main categories are: coming of age, YA, romantic comedies, Historical Romance, chapter books and children's picture books.
Renee's ideas come from a happy childhood that she shared with 6 fun, loud Italians, and wouldn't trade those years or her siblings for anything in the world.
She is currently having her books narrated into audio-books for audio listeners.
Renee is a mom, a wife, an animal lover, and a kid at heart. She loves to hear from her readers and tries to answer all of her letters so drop me a line if you like!