Reviews

Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli

ladyladyloveme's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

s_hay's review against another edition

4.0

Suds is a 4th grader now and according to the school yard rhyme that means he is no longer a 3rd grade Angel but a 4th grade rat. His best friend Joey is trying to convince him that they need to start acting like rats since that will help them grow into men. Suds isn't so sure, acting like a rat isn't very nice and doesn't seem like the way he wants to behave. Can Joey convince him to be a rat so they can terrorize the school together? And more importantly, will acting like a rat impress the girl that Suds has a big time crush on.
Classic message about figuring out who you are. This is a great story though a few bits are outdated as they boys talk about watching an ET video cassette and using the VCR.
Good one for boys ages 8-10.

callidora7's review against another edition

funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

lizlogan's review against another edition

4.0

A quick and cute book about being yourself versus being what others expect you to be. Changing schools (or even grades) can be tough. I would recommend this to a child who is not quite so sure about the process.

lisadolak's review against another edition

4.0

Jerry Spinelli is not my favorite children's book author, but I really enjoy this book. I read it aloud to my fourth graders and they loved it too!

kslhersam's review against another edition

4.0

This was a fun, quick read. I've read a few of Spinelli's books, but never this one. Isaac picked it, being a 4th grader himself, and it had a great message about how to become a man. Joey & Suds tried all the wrong ways at first. :)

crazy4reading's review against another edition

4.0

A cute story about starting 4th grade. There is a school chant about the grades and 4th graders are considered rats. Suds doesn't want to become a rat. He wants to stay a third grade angel. His best friend takes being a rat seriously.

mnreece's review against another edition

2.0

My fourth graders liked it but I found it to be ... lacking.