Rat

by Patrice Lawrence

When his mum is sent back to prison, Al knows exactly who's to blame. Mr Brayker, who lives downstairs, has been making trouble for Al's mum ever since they moved in, and Al's determined to get his revenge. Ignoring advice from his gran and sister, Plum, Al takes things into his own hands with a plan that involves the only two creatures he can rely his pet rats, Venom and Vulture. But things don't turn out exactly as he'd imagined ... Written by award-winning author, Patrice Lawrence, this is a moving story of community, loneliness, and how you never quite know what's going on in someone else's life.

Genres: Young Adult, Middle Grade, Mental Health, Psychology, Illness, Grief, Family

Kindle Edition

First published January 7, 2021

About the author

Patrice Lawrence is a British writer and journalist, who has published fiction both for adults and children. Her writing has won awards including the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Older Children and The Bookseller YA Book Prize.

Reviews

[nelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

…nothing…actually…happened??

this rat died. i felt deep empathy for it, obviously.
rip vulture 😔

[Rebecca Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 21 of 2025

Another YA book, and one from the Barrington Stoke Super-Readable range, where the page colour and font are dyslexia-friendly. The quiz, word list, background and who’s who at the end of the book were a great addition. I really liked that this was a first-person narrative, as I don’t read many of those. It really helped make Al’s story more ‘real’ to hear his voice, and feel his anger. I’ve not read any Patrice Lawrence before so might venture into her books further. 8/10.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short Barrington Stoke-style hi-lo read, dyslexia friendly which worked well. Some of titles in this sort of bracket are too embedded in British culture, text spattered with swearing to « appeal » to older teens who have lower reading ability. This didn’t fall into that trap.
Al’s Mum ends up back in prison after she shoplifts and pushes a security card, the whole episode caused, in Al’s opinion by nosy neighbour Mr Brayker. Some very caring adults including plum, his half sister, and very supportive Gran. Yes, rather too good to be true to find Ty and Pete preparing food for people in the flats, but ultimately refreshing to read a story where there are plenty of characters trying to help. Al is angry but is learning to channel his anger and curb it, and the book is hopeful rather than bleak as too many are.

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another strong teenage voice from Lawrence; a snapshot in the life of Al, a boy who's mother has been addicted to drugs in the past and has been in and out of prison. This short novella begins with Al and Mum making a go of it by themselves living in a council flat in London. Unfortunately Mum has a run in with the police for shoplifting and goes back to prison. Al blames the neighbour Brayker and plans his revenge...

There are a lot of heavy topics and focusses for discussion in this book and approaching these through Al and his rats does lessen the load a little. Al has a rocky road but ultimately the book has a hopeful message.

This would have been a five but I would have liked to see more of Lawrence's natural ability to really raise the stakes over small matters that really highlight how difficult it is to be a vulnerable young person in today's world. I think this was only missing because of it being such a short book.

Next on my Lawrence reading list is Eight Pieces of Silva - and looks like I'm heading towards reading everything she's written :)

[Book Jester · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little tale aimed at younger teenagers (although I think I could've read this with my 8 year-old son as I think he is emotionally mature enough to understand the themes of the book). There are many important messages cleverly woven into the story, including my favourite: 'there is more that unites us than divides us'. The story covers loss, grief, loneliness, anger and, ultimately, forgiveness, but it is also a story which I hope would inspire an empathetic outlook with young people, especially with those living in more fortunate circumstances than Al.

I also think the little glossary and the character list at the end is a great idea to encourage more confidence in reading with younger readers.

[Milly Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Longlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal which is the reason I picked it up.

This is a short YA novel which is told by Al who lives with his mum who has come out of jail and his two rats Venom and Vulture. When his mum has to go back to jail, Al blames the guy who lives in the flat below and who is always complaining about them. This is his story - of how he plots his revenge.

There is lots in this book to talk about with children - I would say this is for 9+ - and you do feel sorry for Al, even when he is angry. For me, the ending seemed just too neat - although I appreciate that it is the type of ending that was required.

[Mandy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short YA book and I really enjoyed it. It’s heartbreaking to read because a lot of children are living this type of life and it was told brilliantly in the voice of a teenager! I really liked Al and wanted him to be happy so much,his relationship with his rats was beautiful and I did have tears towards the end.I was frustrated with Al’s mum at the start but then I felt sorry for her and even with her faults Al really loved his mum.I enjoyed the other characters,especially Plum and the twist at the end. Good lessons in this book and a a helpful understanding of the teenage brain.

[Clare Hudman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it in one go. I believed in the characters and lived for a while in their world wanting Al and his mum to pull through without further damage. Having lived with pet rats I totally get their significance. Fantastic pets! I am sure the author knows that too :) Great learning to be had from this book without any patronising or sugar-coating. We all have our back stories and challenges - whatever age. And poverty changes/damages people...

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patrice Lawrence provides a strong voice for teens living in London. There is a wide range of diversity in her work but she usually focuses on the "the good guys". Her stories contain some shady characters but the main focus is on heros who have at least one typically good parent. It was refreshing to have the coin flipped in this story.

[Mark Reilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable: the reader is drawn to the character of Al from the outset and the perceived antagonist has a negative undertone from the beginning. There are a few twists on the book which build suspense and at times you will really feel for the protagonist but the ending is a little weak even if it is quite symbolic.

[Alderwasley Hall School · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful, shorter read by an award-winning author. This story captures how anger and loneliness can impact choices. It's printed in dyslexia-friendly font; it's an accessible that hits hard. The addition of two pet rats, Venom and Vulture, soften this story somewhat as it is a reminder of the bond between humans and their pets.

[Pip Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the book myself, I am now reading it aloud to a Year 8 boy at school who is completely enthralled.

There is lots to discuss regarding making the right choices and things being out of your control which really resonates with him.

[Alice Visser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in one sitting and was wiping away tears throughout. Al's mum has gone back to prison & he feels his only friends are his rats. Heart-breaking and heart-warming. New 'Super-Readable' title from OUP -- great for reluctant readers! Y8+

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was announced yesterday that Rat is on the Carnegie Longlist this year, so thought I'd start to read a few of the books on there to get ahead!

This was a great little book and I'm glad I read it.

[Barbara Hartley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for work and it is a great, quick read for a reluctant reader. Really useful in helping to describe and deal with anger issues in young teens but due to this it felt juvenile to me as an adult.

[Angela L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought provoking novel about how easily the wrong choices can escalate and that people are not always as they seem.

[Kim Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me cry - not big howls, but the sort of long, steady cry that builds up and you don’t realise until you see tear drops on the page.

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read. Easy access with plenty of depth. (11-13)

[Wee H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short read for young adults aged 11+. Relevant topics which affect many youngsters nowadays. Wish it had been longer. Def want to read more by this author.

[Joanne Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enthralled with this fast-paced page turner. Loved it!

[angelaᥫ᭡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

my sisters book but she gave it to me, it’s quite short but definitely shows you to not judge a book by it’s cover.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although a young adult read this book has a brilliant story to it and makes you appreciate what you have.

[shanelle :’) · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was good! it was so fast paced and i finished it within a day. it really got to the point and it gave an insight to the reality of the care system

[Alicia Tailby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing specially when that man dies

[Amyah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book, it was really short for me, but if you like a quick good book I recommend this

[em · Rating 2 out of 5]

a free book my college was giving away!!
defo not my normal read (which is why the rating is low) but it was very interesting especially since it was from the young kids pov

[Shatterlings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short book about Al and his very problematic life, he’s a very relatable teenager and even though I am not the target market for this I enjoyed it, especially the pet rats.

[Cerys Barratt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good and it had a very emotional ending - I felt like I wanted to cry😢.

[Ruby Moses · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good

[ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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