‘Racso, a brash and boastful little rodent, is making his way to Thorn Valley, determined to learn how to read and write and become a hero. His bragging and lies get him off to a bad start, but a crisis gives him the opportunity to prove his mettle. A worthy successor [to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, a Newbery Medal winner by the author's father].' 'BL. 1986 Children's Editors' Choices (BL) Children's Choices for 1987 (IRA/CBC) Notable 1986 Childrens' Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC) 1986 Children's Books (NY Public Library) Best Science Fiction/Fantasy 1986 (VOYA)

When Margaret and her younger brother, Artie, get lost in the woods on a family camping trip, they are rescued by rats -- the superintelligent rats of NIMH. Taken into the rat's community, the children are safe for the time being. But winter is coming. Margaret and Artie have to get back home. And when they do, they must protect the rats who have helped them. Everything depends on their silence... but it's hard to evade questions forever. Children's Choices for 1991 (IRA/CBC)VOYA's Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror 1990Parenting Honorable Mention, Reading Magic Award

Some extraordinary rats come to the aid of a mouse family in this Newbery Medal Award–winning classic by notable children’s author Robert C. O’Brien. Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, is faced with a terrible problem. She must move her family to their summer quarters immediately, or face almost certain death. But her youngest son, Timothy, lies ill with pneumonia and must not be moved. Fortunately, she encounters the rats of NIMH, an extraordinary breed of highly intelligent creatures, who come up with a brilliant solution to her dilemma. And Mrs. Frisby in turn renders them a great service.

Earth isn’t just another planet—it might be a place to call home In Oluu’s world, the young are programmed to take advice from the Wise Ones, load it into their systems, and follow it. Oluu does not always run so smoothly, and the Wise Ones worry about her carelessness. In spite of these concerns, Oluu is given a chance to redeem herself when she is sent on a research mission to Earth. This time, however, she must follow rules, or face the consequences. Oluu takes on several different forms while she begins to learn about life on Earth. When she first meets Molly Harkin, she is an energetic Border collie, and although Molly tries to look out for her new and unusual dog friend, Oluu gets into trouble before long and must choose a new form. She spends time as a bird, and, to Molly’s delight, as a pony. But no matter which form she takes, Oluu can’t seem to help attracting dangerous attention. When a boy named Jack becomes a little too interested in a certain pony, Molly doesn’t know whether she’ll ever see either of them again.

A field mouse named Mrs. Brisby enlists the aid of a race of intelligent rats to save her home and her sick child.

Increasingly alienated from his widowed father, Vernon joins his friends in ridiculing the neighborhood outcasts'Maxine, an alcoholic prone to outrageous behavior, and Ronald, her retarded son. But when a social service agency tries to put Ronald into a special home, Vernon fights against the move. 1994 Newbery Honor Book Notable Children's Books of 1994 (ALA) 1994 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA) 1994 Young Adult Editors' Choices (BL) 1994 Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library) Young Adult Choices for 1995 (IRA)