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Rat Life
The dead body found in the Chemanga River has nothing to do with Todd. He’s been busy making beds at the family motel and writing alien stories to entertain his friends. Sure, a murder is big news, but what would really interest him? A paying job and a story line free of UFOs and poop jokes. And then he meets Rat. Just a little older than Todd, Rat’s already been to Vietnam and back. He’s got a tattoo and a messed-up family life. And when he offers Todd a gig at the drive-in theater, Todd takes it. After all, it pays actual money. But hanging out with Rat leads to a host of strange experiences and perplexing questions. More and more, that corpse from the river is on Todd’s mind, and no matter how he shifts the pieces around, Rat is always part of the puzzle.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2007
22 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Tedd Arnold
199 books296 followersTedd grew up with three brothers. His family lived on a farm in Pennsylvania for several years then returned to Elmira until Tedd was ten years old. His father's work then required that they move to Gainesville, Florida. There, Tedd's first art lessons in an abandoned dentist's office over the Happy Hour pool hall eventually led to a fine arts degree from the University of Florida.
He and his wife, Carol, started their family in Tallahassee where Tedd worked as a commercial illustrator. Carol, a kindergarten teacher, drew Tedd's attention to children's books. Their first son, Walter, inspired his breakthrough picture book, NO JUMPING ON THE BED!.
He and his family now live in Elmira. His second son, William, now stars in NO MORE WATER IN THE TUB!, a sequel to his first book. He has now published over 50 books as author and illustrator.
He and his wife, Carol, started their family in Tallahassee where Tedd worked as a commercial illustrator. Carol, a kindergarten teacher, drew Tedd's attention to children's books. Their first son, Walter, inspired his breakthrough picture book, NO JUMPING ON THE BED!.
He and his family now live in Elmira. His second son, William, now stars in NO MORE WATER IN THE TUB!, a sequel to his first book. He has now published over 50 books as author and illustrator.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
January 22, 2008
At first I thought I wasn't going to like this book, especially since Arnold is a picture book writer and this is his first novel. Some of the main character's writings were pretty gaggy. (Of course, it didn't help that I was eating while I was reading those parts!). The last half of the book, though, really grabbed me, and I couldn't put it down until it was finished. It's a mystery, but the mystery isn't really the focus of the book; it's the relationship between Todd and Rat and what it teaches Todd about himself. Recommended!
March 21, 2008
I read Rat Life last summer and just finished reading it to my seventh graders. They loved it! It is set in Elmira, NY during the '72 flood. The storyline is a bit intense for middle schoolers, but I think the concepts were important things to discuss. Tedd Arnold is a famous local children's book writer/illustrator. Rat Life is his first young adult book. Paul& I got to meet him last week when he visited the students for a book talk. What a great experience!
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April 12, 2018This is a good book and I would recommend it to anyone that likes a little mystery with lots of action. The book never really seems to get dull even form the vary start. There is lots of foreshadowing and you can kind of predict what will happen o what has happened if you really pay attention. I think that this was a great book and everyone should read it. It also really makes you see just what it may have been like if you were a solider in the Vietnam war. There is lots of meaning in this book and for that I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
October 29, 2010
This book wasn't good until close to the end.At the beginning of the book it was kind of slow, but in the end it was pretty good. It started off slow because Todd was doing boring things like complaining about the chores he had to do and not getting an allowance. In the end Todd bikes to Rats house in the rain and finds Rats dad dead in the hall with a bullet wound. Then he turns around and Rat is there with a shotgun pointing it at Todd.
One day Todd was out riding his bike and he saw a little pup walking in the road. All of a sudden a big truck came after he picked the dog up. The truck was really loud and the dog got out of his arms and ran and went right under the tire and died. He then went home where Todd and his family own a little motel in a rundown town. He has an old rusty bike and he has to help out with chores around the motel. He makes the bed and does some laundry. So he was mad at his parents because he wasn’t getting an allowance like all the other kids. So he decided to go out and get a job at the drive-in movie theater so then he could buy a new bike since his was rusty. So on the job he met a guys named Rat who didn’t look that much older than him but said he went to Vietnam. So in class his teacher is making the class write a story, and Todd is good at writing stories. So a body washes up on the river and the person that was dead had a hat just like Rats. So Todd think Rat might have had something to do with it but he doesn’t ever want to talk about it. Did Rat kill him or anyone else?
November 14, 2008
I loved RAT LIFE, Tedd Arnold's first foray into young adult literature. The writing is funny at times and always fresh, and Arnold uses his main character's interest in the craft of writing to make some keen observations about the process.
This book made me laugh one minute and gasp in shock the next. Its narrator, Todd, is a would-be writer growing up in Upstate NY in 1972. In the first pages of the book, he hears about a body found in a river and meets a mysterious character who calls himself Rat. Todd wonders if Rat, an underaged recruit who's just back from a tour of Vietnam, has something to do with that body in the river, and those suspicions mount throughout the novel, all the way to its dizzying climax.
I could go on and on about the humor, the interesting writing strategies Arnold employed, the gut-wrenching scene that almost made me stop reading but is so important to the book... but I'll let you discover this one for yourself. Don't start reading until you have some time; you won't want to take breaks.
This book made me laugh one minute and gasp in shock the next. Its narrator, Todd, is a would-be writer growing up in Upstate NY in 1972. In the first pages of the book, he hears about a body found in a river and meets a mysterious character who calls himself Rat. Todd wonders if Rat, an underaged recruit who's just back from a tour of Vietnam, has something to do with that body in the river, and those suspicions mount throughout the novel, all the way to its dizzying climax.
I could go on and on about the humor, the interesting writing strategies Arnold employed, the gut-wrenching scene that almost made me stop reading but is so important to the book... but I'll let you discover this one for yourself. Don't start reading until you have some time; you won't want to take breaks.
April 14, 2009
I can see how this won the Best Young Adult Edgar Award in 2008. The writing is tight; the type of craftsmanship that makes writing look easy. The mystery is not all that mysterious but then it's not meant to be. The star here are the three-dimensional characters and the intertwining relationships.
Arnold, known primarily for his picture books, turns 180 degrees with this tale; it's dark and oft-times presents disturbing images. While geared toward a young adult audience, this is not Harry Potter. It is a clever, well drawn slice of life with characters that will stick with the reader throughout the journey.
Arnold, known primarily for his picture books, turns 180 degrees with this tale; it's dark and oft-times presents disturbing images. While geared toward a young adult audience, this is not Harry Potter. It is a clever, well drawn slice of life with characters that will stick with the reader throughout the journey.
June 12, 2015
It was ok
October 10, 2025
Rat Life by Tedd Arnold is a fictional novel that has Todd, a fifteen-year-old boy who works at his family’s laundry business in a small town during the Vietnam War era. Todd’s summer changes when he meets Rat, an unfamiliar older teen who lives by the river and seems to have no family. After a period of time passes by, Todd realizes that his new friend carries a horrifying past that he had refused to talk about. The story takes place in Elmira, New York, a small town surrounded by rivers and woods. Through Todd’s perspective, readers see the daily life that happens throughout the town. Including summer jobs, small disputes, and the instability due to the Vietnam War. The story changes after Todd finds out Rat might be included in a serious investigation. A murder. As Todd becomes more curious about Rat’s Life, he gets more interested in Rat’s dangerous world. Rat tells him his stories, including his time in Vietnam, the hardships he always faced, and the secrets he has hidden from the law. Todd must decide how much he can trust Rat and how far he’s willing to go to protect him from others. Their friendship tests both Rat and Todd’s ability to stay true to each other as Todd begins to understand the consequences of war and violence. At the end of the book, Todd has a clearer understanding of responsibility and maturity. The experience changes how he views the world and the people in it. Through Todd’s journey, Tedd Arnold wrote in types of suspense, thriller, and compassion.
I liked Rat Life because it mixes mystery, friendship, and personal growth in a way that feels realistic and “impacting”. The main character, Todd, is easy to relate to since he’s just a normal teenager trying to find the right thing to do in a confusing situation. I like how the story gradually revealed Rat’s past, keeping me interested the whole time. The author also did a great job displaying how the Vietnam War had not only changed the whole plot, but also showed how real life was impacted, too.
A long-lasting quote, “I know now that some things people do are impossible to understand unless you’ve lived their lives.” This quote stood out to me the most out of this story because it shows self-reflection, empathy, perspective, and difference. It resonated with me because even if you are human like the other person, you’ve never experienced the same thing that the other person had witnessed.
I rate this novel four out of five stars because of its interesting plot and engaging situations that arise. I would recommend this book to others because of how well it is able to describe the Vietnam War while following a different plot line, and it includes new vocabulary for you to research. It compares to other books I’ve read because it has a teenager as a main character going through hard situations and then overcoming them.
I liked Rat Life because it mixes mystery, friendship, and personal growth in a way that feels realistic and “impacting”. The main character, Todd, is easy to relate to since he’s just a normal teenager trying to find the right thing to do in a confusing situation. I like how the story gradually revealed Rat’s past, keeping me interested the whole time. The author also did a great job displaying how the Vietnam War had not only changed the whole plot, but also showed how real life was impacted, too.
A long-lasting quote, “I know now that some things people do are impossible to understand unless you’ve lived their lives.” This quote stood out to me the most out of this story because it shows self-reflection, empathy, perspective, and difference. It resonated with me because even if you are human like the other person, you’ve never experienced the same thing that the other person had witnessed.
I rate this novel four out of five stars because of its interesting plot and engaging situations that arise. I would recommend this book to others because of how well it is able to describe the Vietnam War while following a different plot line, and it includes new vocabulary for you to research. It compares to other books I’ve read because it has a teenager as a main character going through hard situations and then overcoming them.
September 5, 2017
A murder mystery. An historic flood. Senile dementia. And the aftermath of the Vietnam War. That’s a lot to stuff into a quick reading novel for middle schoolers. I’m not convinced it all fits very comfortably here, but the quick reading aspect is a plus. This is a fun if not entirely filling read.
Rat and his rifle appear on page one. And right after that there’s a wrenching scene with a puppy. But then 14-year-old Todd, the narrator, falls back on more pressing middle school concerns. The microscopic bugs that live in our eyebrows. Explosive diarrhea. Those kind of concerns. There’s a good mix of gross-out and seriousness.
Todd and Rat live in Elmore, New York. The year is 1972, and Rat has returned from the Vietnam War. Arnold later explains that Elmore is his fictionalized take on his hometown of Elmira. The town did suffer a devastating flood that year. He also explains that there are at least 5 documented cases of boys under 17 years old serving in Vietnam. That apparently is reason enough to accept that Rat was 14 when he enlisted.
With a name like Rat, it’s easier to accept that he’s had a tough life. How tough? That’s the key to the mystery.
So the waters rise, and the War lingers, and the plot thickens. There are some pretty unbelievable coincidences required to bring all the stories together. And then they all get wrapped up in a Hollywood-worthy raging river climax. More great fun, but the overall effect is still thinner than I would like.
Rat and his rifle appear on page one. And right after that there’s a wrenching scene with a puppy. But then 14-year-old Todd, the narrator, falls back on more pressing middle school concerns. The microscopic bugs that live in our eyebrows. Explosive diarrhea. Those kind of concerns. There’s a good mix of gross-out and seriousness.
Todd and Rat live in Elmore, New York. The year is 1972, and Rat has returned from the Vietnam War. Arnold later explains that Elmore is his fictionalized take on his hometown of Elmira. The town did suffer a devastating flood that year. He also explains that there are at least 5 documented cases of boys under 17 years old serving in Vietnam. That apparently is reason enough to accept that Rat was 14 when he enlisted.
With a name like Rat, it’s easier to accept that he’s had a tough life. How tough? That’s the key to the mystery.
So the waters rise, and the War lingers, and the plot thickens. There are some pretty unbelievable coincidences required to bring all the stories together. And then they all get wrapped up in a Hollywood-worthy raging river climax. More great fun, but the overall effect is still thinner than I would like.
December 23, 2021
I think this book would appeal to teenagers. It does have problems that are related, well, to some at least. While the problems are real, the resolutions and discussions (or lack thereof) are what drops this down to a 3 star book. Killing your abusive father (or letting him die) is not a practical solution. Drugs and alcohol, while real, are not really demonized to the extent as (I believe) they should be. This book might be okay, with a long and healthy discussion from a guiding adult. Otherwise, I think the book might be better left alone.
I also did not like how this book wandered. First about a puppy, then life as a teen in a motel, then the adventures of Rat. Some parts were well-written, but the thread between parts were rather weak, and none of them fully explored. Topics were sometimes appropriate for 5th graders, sometimes for juniors, but never a uniform age.
I also did not like how this book wandered. First about a puppy, then life as a teen in a motel, then the adventures of Rat. Some parts were well-written, but the thread between parts were rather weak, and none of them fully explored. Topics were sometimes appropriate for 5th graders, sometimes for juniors, but never a uniform age.
January 8, 2023
I throughly enjoyed this book. It’s my second book of this year, and I had an 8 hour car ride to read it. I bought the book from an Orlando Library book sale for 50¢, and I didn’t think I was going to enjoy it. I only bought it because of the price and the odd title. Little did I know, the novel, which I’ve just learned is the author’s first novel, was going to send me into a spiral of emotions. It starts off awfully graphic and unexpectedly detailed on quickly-occurring experiences for the main character, Todd. By the end, I couldn’t believe that the novel had gone in so many directions so quickly, but it still came full circle. I liked how it was a short read, finishing it in less than 2 hours, but still was engaging and felt perfectly explained. I would definitely recommend this novel.
January 12, 2021
Pretty, good... I was reading it thinking how old sell it to a reluctant reader. I’m picturing a middle school boy, and it’s a tough sell. In its favor are: its short, has short chapters, war, murder, mystery, and its good. In the other corner, and the real problem, I think, is that the book doesn’t take off until about pg 116. Well over halfway. The book has to be good enough early (right away) to keep the readers interest, the readers I I think this book was written for. And, it’s not. It’s a slow slow start.
April 22, 2021
Believable plot that sucks you in from its first page. Set in the early 70s, Rat Life tells about an underage boy of 14 who was enlisted into the Armed Forces by his mother. He is forced to grow up before he should have to because of his unstable home life, and that was before he ever went to Vietnam. Well-written young adult fiction that keeps the reader turning pages. I wish this author would write more!
November 25, 2025
This book is interesting but it has a weird story line to it making the book quite unsettling, but overall this book is good but not really fun to read. The story has some very gaggy parts, it was hard to read when i was eating but the last half of the book really grabbed me in, I couldnt put down the book i just wanted to read till i reveal the mystery of the book. But overall this book is interesting espichally being tedd arnolds first ever novel.
October 25, 2016
I really like this book because it was a page turner. The book was about these 3 kids who would always explore a river that they live by. On one day as they are walking down the river the noticed a dead body in the water. I liked this book because it had such an interesting plot. After reading this book it is probably one of my favorite books that I have ever read.
December 4, 2017
GOOD BOOK
April 10, 2018
Decent storyline; may be interesting for those who want to be writers.
August 21, 2018
This book is full of adventure and honestly made me laugh so much. I do wish that the author would give us concideration and tell us more about RAT for my mere enjoyment
August 22, 2018
It started off a bit too slow for my liking but it did pick up and became interesting in the middle.
June 18, 2020
I like it I really do, stay up the whole night just for finishing it
April 25, 2025
Compulsively readable!
December 13, 2019
Actual Rating: 2.5⭐️
To be honest, I started reading this book as a joke because of the title. I didn’t even realize it was a mystery book at first. But it was interesting, so I was then reading it for interest and not just because of the joke. The beginning was a little slow and we don’t get to meet Rat until later. I loved the development of Rat and Todd’s relationship. Rat’s character development was also very pleasing. I honestly liked the beginning half and once the action started picking up, I was even more hooked and moving my schedule around to fit in more reading time. You may be asking, ‘If this is such a good book, why is it only a 2 star?’ Well, here’s the thing. I really did not like the ending. I won’t spoil it though. Maybe some people like that kind of ending, but I really do not. After everything, to just end the book like that...
“That was your last chance.”
:(
If the ending had been different, this story would have been a 3 star. So, I will bump my rating up to a 2.5⭐️
To be honest, I started reading this book as a joke because of the title. I didn’t even realize it was a mystery book at first. But it was interesting, so I was then reading it for interest and not just because of the joke. The beginning was a little slow and we don’t get to meet Rat until later. I loved the development of Rat and Todd’s relationship. Rat’s character development was also very pleasing. I honestly liked the beginning half and once the action started picking up, I was even more hooked and moving my schedule around to fit in more reading time. You may be asking, ‘If this is such a good book, why is it only a 2 star?’ Well, here’s the thing. I really did not like the ending. I won’t spoil it though. Maybe some people like that kind of ending, but I really do not. After everything, to just end the book like that...
“That was your last chance.”
:(
If the ending had been different, this story would have been a 3 star. So, I will bump my rating up to a 2.5⭐️
December 13, 2019
Ok, let’s be honest.
This book had many parts in it that had me hooked. But sadly the parts of the book I enjoyed the most were only just a small side story that meant nothing to the true plot. I really enjoy both plot and character driven stories and could overlook the flaws lacking in the other. But this story honestly had no character growth or depth for that matter and the plot. If you could even call it that could have been really fleshed out and made a really good murder mystery but it wasn’t.
It was subpar at best. Being written by a children’s book author, it’s painfully obvious this was a first attempt.
This book had many parts in it that had me hooked. But sadly the parts of the book I enjoyed the most were only just a small side story that meant nothing to the true plot. I really enjoy both plot and character driven stories and could overlook the flaws lacking in the other. But this story honestly had no character growth or depth for that matter and the plot. If you could even call it that could have been really fleshed out and made a really good murder mystery but it wasn’t.
It was subpar at best. Being written by a children’s book author, it’s painfully obvious this was a first attempt.
April 4, 2009
Tedd Arnold is charming, witty, clever, and a great speaker. He too was at IRC and while I didn't get to sit at his table, I was sitting next to him. My first favorite book of his is No Jumping On the Bed. Now I am anxious to read his first novel, already an Edgar award winner. I finished Rat Life, Arnolds YA novel, and can see how it was chosen for the mystery award. At least I think I can see. I had trouble pinning down literature related criteria beyond the genre of mystery or crime story. This story does involve a mystery and murder. But when an author changes genre and wins an award The Edgar Alan Poe Award for Best Young Adult Book on his first go of it, it is worth reading. Having enjoyed Arnold's clever children's picture books for years, it was fun to see how he broadened as an author.
The complicated parallel plot made me think. Todd finds and rescues a dog but has to let it go because it was hit by a truck, is letting his grandmother go to Altzeimer's, finds and befriends a wounded child/young Nam vet, saves HIS life only to loose him because of a tragic family. Seems too much for one young teenager, yet it seems natural.
It took most of the book before Todd got actively involved in the mystery. Most of the story seemed to be chronicling his relationships with family as he branches out to get his first job away from the motel his parents run. I enjoyed reading it, but I had trouble seeing the mystery. Todd's developing writing interest, his caring personality, his thoughts on the teacher who liked his writing, his thoughts on his parents and grandmother, and his excitement about a job all kept me engaged. The descriptions of the tree house, the rain, and the flooding river took me back to the days when... Late in the story, when Todd learns more about Rat and his life, that's when the story feels like a mystery. What did Rat do? What really happened? The suspense builds as the water rises and the tree house comes apart, forcing Todd to rescue Rat, like he rescued the dog at the beginning of the story. And like the dog, Todd has to let Rat go. But each, the dog and Rat, leave their mark on Todd. He becomes a writer because of his unique way of searching for the story and caring about people. It is a story I can recommend for older students, even before they become young adults.
Arnold admits that the setting in the story was inspired by the river he grew up near, but he did not at the conference divulge how much of the main character, Todd, is actually Tedd. Like the name of the river, only the vowels change.
This well-crafted novel demonstrates a deep understanding of what it is like to grow up, thinking about those who are met along the way, those who have a deep and lasting influence, who create a sense of respect for the circumstances others live with. Todd's first impressions of Rat beg to be challenged in the subtle way Tedd wrote them into the story.
One thing that is hard to write, I think, is dialogue. If authors write as people really talk, nothing would make much sense. Yet, if the dialogue is formal and stiff, the tone of the story would be lost. I think ARrnold did a good job of approximating discourse by keeping it somewhere between the two. I also like the way he divulged Todd's thinking, specifically showing that he is a caring young person. Without being too preachy, I think teenagers need heroes who care about people and things beyond themselves. In each situation Todd found himself, he instinctively helped others.
AFter reading this first novel of Tedd Arnold, I am still a fan of the author and will read more.
The complicated parallel plot made me think. Todd finds and rescues a dog but has to let it go because it was hit by a truck, is letting his grandmother go to Altzeimer's, finds and befriends a wounded child/young Nam vet, saves HIS life only to loose him because of a tragic family. Seems too much for one young teenager, yet it seems natural.
It took most of the book before Todd got actively involved in the mystery. Most of the story seemed to be chronicling his relationships with family as he branches out to get his first job away from the motel his parents run. I enjoyed reading it, but I had trouble seeing the mystery. Todd's developing writing interest, his caring personality, his thoughts on the teacher who liked his writing, his thoughts on his parents and grandmother, and his excitement about a job all kept me engaged. The descriptions of the tree house, the rain, and the flooding river took me back to the days when... Late in the story, when Todd learns more about Rat and his life, that's when the story feels like a mystery. What did Rat do? What really happened? The suspense builds as the water rises and the tree house comes apart, forcing Todd to rescue Rat, like he rescued the dog at the beginning of the story. And like the dog, Todd has to let Rat go. But each, the dog and Rat, leave their mark on Todd. He becomes a writer because of his unique way of searching for the story and caring about people. It is a story I can recommend for older students, even before they become young adults.
Arnold admits that the setting in the story was inspired by the river he grew up near, but he did not at the conference divulge how much of the main character, Todd, is actually Tedd. Like the name of the river, only the vowels change.
This well-crafted novel demonstrates a deep understanding of what it is like to grow up, thinking about those who are met along the way, those who have a deep and lasting influence, who create a sense of respect for the circumstances others live with. Todd's first impressions of Rat beg to be challenged in the subtle way Tedd wrote them into the story.
One thing that is hard to write, I think, is dialogue. If authors write as people really talk, nothing would make much sense. Yet, if the dialogue is formal and stiff, the tone of the story would be lost. I think ARrnold did a good job of approximating discourse by keeping it somewhere between the two. I also like the way he divulged Todd's thinking, specifically showing that he is a caring young person. Without being too preachy, I think teenagers need heroes who care about people and things beyond themselves. In each situation Todd found himself, he instinctively helped others.
AFter reading this first novel of Tedd Arnold, I am still a fan of the author and will read more.
June 3, 2008
Definitely an intriguing first novel. I picked it up because Tedd Arnold is a local author, and having read some of his children's books I was excited to see he'd tried out a new genre.
My first reaction to this book was shock. The book began with a few chapters that for various reasons contained some pretty disturbing imagery. I had been hoping to pass the book on to one of my nephews when I was done, but just the content of those first few chapters alone makes me doubt that I will do so. I had a very hard time getting into the book for this reason - I was so surprised and shocked that a beloved author of children's books would write something so dark.
However, about halfway through the book, I realized I was warming to the story and characters. I was intrigued by Rat's background, and appreciated Todd's growing maturity in regards to both his writing, and life in general. By the time the story's main excitement happened. I was right there with them, zipping along in the water, wrapped up in Rat's story as well as the flood.
...
It was a surreal experience, reading this book. I'm not sure whether I liked the fact that Arnold created such a thinly veiled version of Elmira, NY; at first it seemed to show a lack of creativity, and yet, I got such a kick out of knowing exactly what places and buildings he was talking about, and being able to visualize them in my head! I've even been to that particular drive-in theater any number of times.
I also thought it was a strange choice to set the story in 1972. I doubt it's the best way to draw in today's kids; trust me when I say, "the '70s" represent an ancient and archaic decade to anyone 12 or under, as evidenced by my nephews, who when faced with anything that happened before they were born, ask "did that happen in, like, the '70s?" Still, I learned some things I didn't know about Elmore/Elmira, and "saw" it during a time period for which I wasn't around (my parents remember the '72 flood very vividly, although they lived farther northwest at the time).
Arnold seems to have taken the old adage about "write what you know" to heart, and in this case, it's a solid success. By the end of the book I was done questioning his methods. I understood why he'd chosen the year of the flood as his setting, and was impressed with the sympathetic portrayal of Vietnam vets. There might be kids who will not understand or appreciate it all, but Arnold captured a time in history I don't recall seeing in fiction before, and said some things that probably needed to be said.
I would definitely read any of Arnold's future endeavors into the YA genre, but would caution against recommending Rat Life to the younger segment of the YA age group, as it does deal with some pretty heavy topics.
My first reaction to this book was shock. The book began with a few chapters that for various reasons contained some pretty disturbing imagery. I had been hoping to pass the book on to one of my nephews when I was done, but just the content of those first few chapters alone makes me doubt that I will do so. I had a very hard time getting into the book for this reason - I was so surprised and shocked that a beloved author of children's books would write something so dark.
However, about halfway through the book, I realized I was warming to the story and characters. I was intrigued by Rat's background, and appreciated Todd's growing maturity in regards to both his writing, and life in general. By the time the story's main excitement happened. I was right there with them, zipping along in the water, wrapped up in Rat's story as well as the flood.
...
It was a surreal experience, reading this book. I'm not sure whether I liked the fact that Arnold created such a thinly veiled version of Elmira, NY; at first it seemed to show a lack of creativity, and yet, I got such a kick out of knowing exactly what places and buildings he was talking about, and being able to visualize them in my head! I've even been to that particular drive-in theater any number of times.
I also thought it was a strange choice to set the story in 1972. I doubt it's the best way to draw in today's kids; trust me when I say, "the '70s" represent an ancient and archaic decade to anyone 12 or under, as evidenced by my nephews, who when faced with anything that happened before they were born, ask "did that happen in, like, the '70s?" Still, I learned some things I didn't know about Elmore/Elmira, and "saw" it during a time period for which I wasn't around (my parents remember the '72 flood very vividly, although they lived farther northwest at the time).
Arnold seems to have taken the old adage about "write what you know" to heart, and in this case, it's a solid success. By the end of the book I was done questioning his methods. I understood why he'd chosen the year of the flood as his setting, and was impressed with the sympathetic portrayal of Vietnam vets. There might be kids who will not understand or appreciate it all, but Arnold captured a time in history I don't recall seeing in fiction before, and said some things that probably needed to be said.
I would definitely read any of Arnold's future endeavors into the YA genre, but would caution against recommending Rat Life to the younger segment of the YA age group, as it does deal with some pretty heavy topics.
October 26, 2016
Rat Life is a novel written by Tedd Arnold. The main are Todd, a young 14 year old boy who lives in a motel...literally. His parents run a motel making him do some chores in the weekend, and Rat. A mysterious 16 year old boy with a questionable past. They meet each other at a highway in a rainy day after an incident with a puppy. They later hang out and work at a drive-through theater, allowing Todd to know about him. Like how Rat and his mother are hiding from someone.
Rat hide's a lot of secrets, which makes Todd curious and gives him something to write about for a school essay. But with every question asked, the more uncomfortable Rat got. Though Rat is quite enigmatic, he helps out Todd and vice versa. *SPOILER ALERT* The conflict begins at the beginning at the book and continues in a later chapter. Todd goes to Rat's house to find a dead man, and later surprised by Rat himself holding a rifle. Rat tells to follow him to the tree house they both been working on in the woods. It was raining pretty hard, a flood was near, they stayed the night in the tree house, but the flood was tipping the tree over. The resolution takes place right after the tree tips over making Rat and Todd fall into the flood. The way they got out of that problem wasn't easy. With Rat knocked out, Todd held on to him so they wouldn't get separated and get rescued together and get taken to the hospital. There, Todd learns a lot about Rat's past and gets more material for his essay.
The message the author conveys is that every new person we meet has fought a battle we don't know about and that every one has a dark past.
This book could be highly recommended to anyone who like the genre "mystery" or "suspense". It has a nice lure and with Rat's strange behaviors it will make you curious, leading to wanting to read on and figure out what Rat is HIding
Rat hide's a lot of secrets, which makes Todd curious and gives him something to write about for a school essay. But with every question asked, the more uncomfortable Rat got. Though Rat is quite enigmatic, he helps out Todd and vice versa. *SPOILER ALERT* The conflict begins at the beginning at the book and continues in a later chapter. Todd goes to Rat's house to find a dead man, and later surprised by Rat himself holding a rifle. Rat tells to follow him to the tree house they both been working on in the woods. It was raining pretty hard, a flood was near, they stayed the night in the tree house, but the flood was tipping the tree over. The resolution takes place right after the tree tips over making Rat and Todd fall into the flood. The way they got out of that problem wasn't easy. With Rat knocked out, Todd held on to him so they wouldn't get separated and get rescued together and get taken to the hospital. There, Todd learns a lot about Rat's past and gets more material for his essay.
The message the author conveys is that every new person we meet has fought a battle we don't know about and that every one has a dark past.
This book could be highly recommended to anyone who like the genre "mystery" or "suspense". It has a nice lure and with Rat's strange behaviors it will make you curious, leading to wanting to read on and figure out what Rat is HIding
March 31, 2008
Yes, I found this in the teen mystery section, and yes, it is something of a mystery story (hence the subtitle), but it is certainly not a teen book. Yet again, some author thought the best way to write a book for teens was to write about his life as a teen, complete with Vietnam, drive-in movie theaters, transistor radios, and other obvious 70s references.
While it's true that teens today face a lot of hard things, including parents that should probably be permanently behind bars, it's unthinkable that any of these low-life parents would ship their underage kids off to war (as happens to the title character). Literally, I don't think the parents could conceive of it. How then, can teens today identify with such a predicament? Even the narrator's life is too clean and easy for many of the freshmen from even suburban areas to relate. It's not just the references that seem stale; it's the entire outlook on life. I don't think that's simply a product of life being easier in the 70's; rather, I think the glaze of nostalgia has made it so, and the result feels phony.
As for the mystery, it takes a back seat to character development. In fact, the mystery turns out to be related to understanding the title character "Rat"; sleuthing itself is virtually absent. The fact the narrator is an aspiring writer and includes his stories and writing process might make English teachers like me interested, but I'm guessing the teens would find it cheesy.
While it's true that teens today face a lot of hard things, including parents that should probably be permanently behind bars, it's unthinkable that any of these low-life parents would ship their underage kids off to war (as happens to the title character). Literally, I don't think the parents could conceive of it. How then, can teens today identify with such a predicament? Even the narrator's life is too clean and easy for many of the freshmen from even suburban areas to relate. It's not just the references that seem stale; it's the entire outlook on life. I don't think that's simply a product of life being easier in the 70's; rather, I think the glaze of nostalgia has made it so, and the result feels phony.
As for the mystery, it takes a back seat to character development. In fact, the mystery turns out to be related to understanding the title character "Rat"; sleuthing itself is virtually absent. The fact the narrator is an aspiring writer and includes his stories and writing process might make English teachers like me interested, but I'm guessing the teens would find it cheesy.
September 18, 2010
The book I am reading is "Rat Life" by Tedd Arnold. This book is a young adult mystery,and it fits the kind of books I love to read. I thought at first I wasn't going to like the book because of the title, but as soon as I read the first page I couldn't stop reading it. The book so far is great because it is very suspenseful and entertaining. It's suspenseful because there was a murder in a nearby river and nobody knows what happened. I really want to know why there is a dead body in the river because the story keeps mentioning it and it makes me keep reading the story. The story is entertaining because the characters personalities are interesting and the whole story has twists, which keeps it entertaining for me. Todd was just a regular teenager working at his parent's motel. All he did was make beds, help his grandma, and go to school. Nothing really happened in his life until he meet a boy named Rat. He had offered Todd at a drive-in theater, which means a paycheck and free movies. Hanging out with Rat leads to strange experiences and constant questions for Rat The questions that stay in Todd's head is " Did Rat really kill the guy in the river?, Who is really Rat?", and " What does Rat keep hiding?". This leads Todd into thinking he killed the guy in the river and his own father. No matter how much Todd changes his mind about Rat, Rat is always in the picture. So if you love a good mystery "Rat Life" is definitely the book for you. You won't regret reading this book.
August 16, 2016
A murder mystery. An historic flood. Senile dementia. And the aftermath of the Vietnam War. That’s a lot to stuff into a quick reading novel for middle schoolers. I’m not convinced it all fits very comfortably here, but the quick reading aspect is a plus. This is a fun if not entirely filling read.
Rat and his rifle appear on page one. And right after that there’s a wrenching scene with a puppy. But then 14-year-old Todd, the narrator, falls back on more pressing middle school concerns. The microscopic bugs that live in our eyebrows. Explosive diarrhea. Those kind of concerns. There’s a good mix of gross-out and seriousness.
Todd and Rat live in Elmore, New York. The year is 1972, and Rat has returned from the Vietnam War. Arnold later explains that Elmore is his fictionalized take on his hometown of Elmira. The town did suffer a devastating flood that year. He also explains that there are at least 5 documented cases of boys under 17 years old serving in Vietnam. That apparently is reason enough to accept that Rat was 14 when he enlisted.
With a name like Rat, it’s easier to accept that he’s had a tough life. How tough? That’s the key to the mystery.
So the waters rise, and the War lingers, and the plot thickens. There are some pretty unbelievable coincidences required to bring all the stories together. And then they all get wrapped up in a Hollywood-worthy raging river climax. More great fun, but the overall effect is still thinner than I would like.
Rat and his rifle appear on page one. And right after that there’s a wrenching scene with a puppy. But then 14-year-old Todd, the narrator, falls back on more pressing middle school concerns. The microscopic bugs that live in our eyebrows. Explosive diarrhea. Those kind of concerns. There’s a good mix of gross-out and seriousness.
Todd and Rat live in Elmore, New York. The year is 1972, and Rat has returned from the Vietnam War. Arnold later explains that Elmore is his fictionalized take on his hometown of Elmira. The town did suffer a devastating flood that year. He also explains that there are at least 5 documented cases of boys under 17 years old serving in Vietnam. That apparently is reason enough to accept that Rat was 14 when he enlisted.
With a name like Rat, it’s easier to accept that he’s had a tough life. How tough? That’s the key to the mystery.
So the waters rise, and the War lingers, and the plot thickens. There are some pretty unbelievable coincidences required to bring all the stories together. And then they all get wrapped up in a Hollywood-worthy raging river climax. More great fun, but the overall effect is still thinner than I would like.
April 22, 2011
Rat Life by Tedd Arnold is a book that would be best for those who enjoy reading historical fiction books, and are about fourteen years old. The book takes place during the Vietnam War. Rat, who is not the main character, has been to Vietnam. Todd, the main character, wants to learn more about rat and his life. A couple of days before Todd meet rat, a dead body was found in the river. Plus when rat and Todd meet, Todd was on the way home from school and he saw a puppy. He picked up the puppy but when a truck started to come by, the puppy got scared, wiggled around and bit Todd. Todd was shocked and loosened his grip. The puppy got out and ran just as the truck came by. Rat was also there and told Todd to finish the job since the puppy was not dead, but the whole back half was flattened. He put the dog in a whole and killed her with a large rock. He was upset for days, weeks. Then he is looking for the owner because if the owner says that the dog had its rabies shots, he doesn't have to get the rabies shots. When looking him passes by rats place and rat offers him a job at the drive-in theater next door. When Todd starts to hang out with rat he starts asking questions about rat’s life. In the end he finds out what really happens, he never sees rat again, for how could he. Since he told on rat.
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