The Year of the Rat

Gr 7 Up—Fifteen-year-old Pearl is left with a broken stepfather, a newborn sister, and grief that is nearly too much to bear after her mother dies during childbirth. Shocked into numbness, she finds herself lashing out at her family and friends. Worst of all, she can't stand her sister, (whom she disdainfully labels The Rat), a constant reminder that her mother is gone. Except her mother isn't gone—feisty, fabulous Stella crops up unexpectedly, equally ready with advice and admonishment from beyond the grave. The premise of the novel is intriguing; though bleak, Furniss buoys heavy emotional scenes with elements of wit and humor. Pearl is surrounded by a strong cast of supporting characters, including elderly neighbor Dulcie, loyal best friend Molly, and snooty yet loving Nan. However, none of them are granted the depth and exposition that could have made this a more engaging read. Some of Pearl's increasingly self-destructive behavior, such as her isolation and binge drinking, also warrants further attention, and while the ambiguity of her mother's "presence" (is she real, a ghost, or perhaps a figment of Pearl's struggle to accept this extremely traumatic event?) leaves room for interpretation, it also leaves an ending that feels somewhat incomplete. This novel glosses over some grittier elements of its plot, but is overall a touching, well-written depiction of adolescence and the pervasive, perplexing nature of loss.—Ashleigh Williams, School Library Journal