The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents

What a delightful story. The characters have real texture, the plot is interesting, and the pacing is on point. It is a quick and easy read - perfect for decompressing or relaxing. Follow along as the rats think through what it is to be a rat and confront their deepest fears. What is it to be a cat? a human? Deep existential thinking in a whimsical world.

While this story is #28 in the Discworld series, I had never read a previous Discworld novel and did not have any trouble with the setting. The book appears to stand alone quite well. I am looking forward to finding more books by Terry Pratchett now.

I'd recommend it to 5th graders on up who like fantastical stories. There is some violence, but cartoon style and mostly “off screen”. Younger kids could still enjoy the story, but I'd probably have it as a read aloud.