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The Rat Queen

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( 132 ratings, 35 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Rat Queen by Pete Hautman explores the mysterious and magical changes happening to Annie, a young girl in a seemingly ordinary town. As she navigates her coming-of-age journey, she encounters enchantment in unexpected places, uncovering secrets that connect her to a world of wonder and imagination. This children's book is a charming blend of fantasy and reality, perfect for young readers with a taste for adventure.
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Format: Hardback
$3799
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are captivated by magical adventures and imaginative worlds featuring young protagonists tackling mysterious challenges. This story offers a delightful blend of fantasy and intrigue that is perfect for children who love tales of discovery and courage.

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The Rat Queen

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
From National Book Award winner Pete Hautman comes a mysterious modern-day fairy tale about developing a moral compass—and the slippery nature of conscience.

For Annie’s tenth birthday, her papa gives her a pad of paper, some colored pencils, and the Klimas family secret. It’s called the nuodeema burna, or eater of sins. Every time Annie misbehaves, she has to write down her transgression and stick the paper into a hidey-hole in the floor of their house. But Annie’s inheritance has a dark side: with each paper fed to the burna, she feels less guilty about the mean things she says and does. As a plague of rats threatens her small suburban town and the mystery of her birthright grows, Annie—caught in a cycle of purging her misdeeds—begins to stop growing. It is only when she travels to her family’s home country of Litvania to learn more about the burna that Annie uncovers the magnitude of the truth. Gripping and emotionally complex, Pete Hautman’s inventive yarn for middle-grade readers draws on magical realism to explore coming of age and the path to moral responsibility.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Rat Queen by Pete Hautman has been praised for its exemplary storytelling, creating a captivating fairy tale within a fairy tale. Reviewers highlight its complex, symbolically rich themes of remorse, honour, and forgiveness, set within a world that's atmospherically sinister and intriguing. The narrative interweaves Litvanian folk tales with modern-day characters, offering a spooky yet elegant adventure that appeals to readers who value determination. With a pace that keeps readers guessing, the book is noted for skillfully blending history, legends, and a fairy tale feel tinged with horror.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781536218589

Publisher: Candlewick Press,U.S.

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 11 October 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: Candlewick Press,U.S.

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 147.0mm

Height: 218.0mm

Weight: 482g

Pages: 400

About the Author

Pete Hautman is the author of many acclaimed books for young readers and adults, including the National Book Award–winning Godless, the Edgar Allan Poe Award–winning Otherwood, Slider, Eden West, and the Klaatu Diskos trilogy. He divides his time between Wisconsin and Minnesota.

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