When Ratboy Lived Next Door Book

From the spring day in 1962 when Willis Merrill and his pet raccoon arrive in Maywood, Indiana, they are nothing but trouble for Lydia Carson. Lydia nicknames Willis "Ratboy" and wonders why he can't be more like his handsome older brother, Elliot. Life gets more complicated when Lydia alienates Elliot by insulting Willis and comes to a standoff with her mother. In her struggle to make amends with all, Lydia finds an ally in Willis and discovers the good in herself.

In her sharp, fresh voice, the author captures the flavor of a small town in Middle America and the hearts of its populace as she tells a powerful story about the resiliency - and flexibility -of family.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-This excellent novel takes place in 1962 in a small Indiana town. Lydia, 12, is anxious to meet the Merrills, her new neighbors. One day, she is "attacked" by a raccoon that turns out to be Willis Merrill's pet. She calls him Ratboy, and his behavior fits the name. Lydia's grandmother befriends his stepmom, giving the girl an example of generosity toward those in need. Eventually, she sees that there is a reason for Ratboy's behavior and makes a good attempt to help him. This is actually secondary to the story between Lydia and her mother, whose secret grief over the loss of her first husband and son years earlier has impeded her ability to show affection for her daughter. By observing the drama next door, Lydia gets a better feeling for complicated relationships, which helps her understand her own parents. There are serious issues present, including poverty, alcoholism, abuse, learning disabilities, and bullying. The conflicts of the plot are effectively tied up, though not too neatly to lose believability. This book should spark discussions about families, honesty, and what it means to be a good neighbor. An outstanding offering from a first-time author.-Sharon R. Pearce, Chippewa Elementary School, Bensenville, IL Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.