Rosemary is excited when the class takes a field trip to the
pet store to find a class pet. She is disappointed and repulsed,
however, when the class chooses a rat. Rats are dirty and live in
sewers, Rosemary contends. As she gets to know the grey and white
rat the class has named Cheese, Rosemary soon becomes attached.
Soon Rosemary really cares a lot about Cheese, so much so that when
Brian, who's been designated to take him home for the weekend,
gloats about Cheese as "cat bait," Rosemary takes matters into her
own hands, sneaking him home in her backpack. Some hilarious
consequences ensue, first at her orthodonist, and then at home with
her baby brother.
This one's a very fast-paced, very funny, and very
lighthearted read that will appeal to even the most reluctant
reader, espeically the 2nd-3rd grader who's ready to tackle chapter
books. Not only will kids find it enjoyable, but they'll learn a
lot about rats as well, including an afterword on how to keep them
as pets.