Ratscalibur by Josh Lieb

Summary: Joey and his mom move to New York City where his mom hope that she can make a better life for the two of them.  When Joey's uncle brings him a welcome gift, things get strange.  His gift is a sickly looking rat.  When Joey is bitten by the rat, he turns into a rat too.  It is up to him to save the rat kingdom.  Can he do it?  Does this mean he must stay a rat forever?

Impression:  I found this book to just be okay, but it definitely has its place in the library.  This book will be snatched up by kids who love books with animals and magic.  It will definitely has its audience, but it was not a great fit for me.  This book is another bluebonnet nominee so is technically appropriate for 3rd grade and up.  While this book is appropriate for upper elementary, Lieb's other works are better for an older crowd.

Reviews:

Grades 4-6. Joey’s destiny takes an unforeseen turn when his uncle gives him a pet rat that is anything but ordinary: he is Gondorff, a “ragician” from the realm of Ravalon, which is in dire need of help. Gondorff, who is dying, magically turns Joey into a rat and saddles him with the task of delivering a message to his kingdom. Upon finding Ravalon, hunger leads Joey to pull a spork from a scone, and he is named the hero who will fulfill a long-told rat prophecy. Teaming up with the princess, a loyal guinea pig, a rat knight, and a herd of cats, Joey sets off on a quest to stop the evil Salaman from taking over Ravalon. Full of clever dialogue and hilarious puns, this is a delightful homage to Brian Jacques’ Redwall series, Lord of the Rings, and Arthurian legend. While the plot holds few surprises, the play on the fantasy trope is well done. Expect more to come from Joey and Ravalon. Perfect for readers who enjoy animal fantasy brushed with humor and charm.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Having worked with many of television’s comedy greats, Lieb has a strong handle on humor and parody. Don’t be surprised if this novel achieves best-seller status like his first, I Am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President (2009).

Ratscalibur. Rev. of Ratscalibur by Josh Lieb. Booklist. Vol. 111 No. 15. 1 April 2015. Web. 23 July 2016.

After the impressive feat of pulling Ratscalibur, the legendary Spork, from the Scone, human-boy-turned-hero-rat Joey is sent on a quest to save the Kingdom Ravalon. Lieb borrows from classic legends and Tolkien with abandon; it's all a bit over-the-top, but the fast pace keeps the plot moving and Joey is a likable reluctant hero. Black-and-white drawings enhance Joey's heroic adventures.

Ratscalibur. Rev. of Ratscalibur by Josh Lieb. Horn Book Guide. Fall 2015. Web. 23 July 2016.

A young New York City newcomer becomes a rat and then a hero in this tale of knightly derring-do.Transformed by the bite of dying Ragician ("Man does Magic. Rats do Ragic") Gondorff the Gray, Joey finds himself in the ankle-height kingdom of Ravalon, where he instantly earns widespread awe by pulling a plastic spork from a dried biscuit: "He's drawn the Spork from the Scone!" A quest into Central Park to seek help from the renowned but difficult mage Squirrelin the Squagician against a shadowy menace leads to furious battles with crows and Berzerker rats, devastating treachery, courageous acts aplenty, and even a kiss from princess/apprentice mage Yislene. Appearing on nearly every spread and ranging from small spot portraits to full-sized melees, Lintern's finely detailed drawings place Joey--intrepidly wielding his glowing utensil--and the rest in urban nooks and crannies only rarely noticed by crowds of human passersby. Along with the parodied names and puns, Lieb slips in gags of more than one sort with a ratcentric view of odors and foods ("Mmm, there's a cockroach leg stuck to the cheese. Bonus!") and a broad range of species-specific "-agics."A crowd-pleasing mix of quick action, true valor, clever wordplay, and gross bits. (Animal fantasy. 9-11)

Ratscalibur. Rev. of Ratscalibur by Josh Lieb. Kirkus Reviews. 1 March 2015. Web. 23 July 2015.