When your child is wrestling with questions of identity or feeling like they don't quite fit in, I Was A Rat! offers a whimsical and profound exploration of what it means to be human. This strange and charming fairy tale begins when a small boy named Roger arrives on the doorstep of a kind, childless couple, insisting he used to be a rat. What follows is a funny, and at times perilous, adventure as Roger learns human ways and becomes a media sensation. The story beautifully tackles themes of belonging, kindness, and how society treats those who are different. Perfect for readers aged 8 to 12, it uses humor and fantasy to open conversations about who we are and the importance of accepting others.
Satirizes societal cruelty and exploitation, which may spark complex discussions.
Sensitive Topics
The core theme of identity is explored through a fantastical, metaphorical lens. Roger is mistreated, exploited, and imprisoned for being different, which could be upsetting for sensitive readers. The approach is entirely secular. The resolution is hopeful and magical, confirming his human identity while acknowledging his past as essential to who he is.
Ideal Reader
An imaginative 8 to 11 year old who loves quirky fantasy and fairy tale retellings. This is perfect for a child who feels "weird" or different from their peers, or who is grappling with questions about where they came from or where they fit in. It's also great for a child developing a sense of social justice and empathy for outsiders.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware of the scenes where Roger is captured and put in a cage for a freak show. It's a clear depiction of exploitation and cruelty. The book also satirizes the media and government bureaucracy, which might require some light explanation for younger readers. The book can be read cold, but discussing how different people treat Roger can be very fruitful. A parent overhears their child saying, "I don't fit in anywhere," or "Everyone thinks I'm weird." The parent is looking for a story that addresses being different in a way that is not heavy-handed or preachy.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will likely enjoy the humor of Roger's rat-like behavior and the fairy-tale adventure. An older reader (10-12) will better grasp the deeper satire about the media, celebrity culture, and the philosophical questions about what defines a person's identity.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many books about "being different" that use straightforward contemporary realism, this book employs a clever, funny, and highly original fairy-tale framework (a reverse Cinderella) to explore complex themes of identity, humanity, and societal cruelty. Its satirical edge makes it unique and memorable.
Read plot summary
A young boy appears at the home of a childless cobbler, Bob, and his wife, Joan, declaring "I was a rat." Named Roger, he struggles to adapt to human life, chewing furniture and hoarding scraps. His strange origin story becomes a media sensation, attracting exploiters who want to display him in a freak show and scientists who want to study him. The narrative is intercut with satirical newspaper articles. Roger's journey to understand his identity is cleverly intertwined with the story of a royal princess and a lost slipper, hinting at a Cinderella-esque backstory.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Bob and Joan believe Roger right away, but most other people don't. Why do you think it was so easy for them to accept him? What makes it hard for others?
2
The newspaper, 'The Daily Scourge,' calls Roger a 'monster.' How does the way the newspaper talks about Roger affect how other people treat him?
3
At the end of the book, the Philosopher Royal says Roger is a 'rat that was a boy that was a rat.' What do you think he means? Can Roger be both a boy and a rat at the same time?
4
Roger learns many things about being a boy, like not chewing the furniture. What are some of the most important things you think he learned about being human from Bob and Joan?
