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It's Christmas vacation and should be a great time of no school and a great holiday just days off, right? Not the way it seems to Eric. Seems his friends are either out of town with their families or stuck home sick. No one to hang out with. And to top it off he has to stay around and wait for the exterminator to come check out the apartment while his parents are at work.

Things get strange after the exterminator shows up. The guy's business card says
Anjela Gabrail
Exterminator
225-5463
24-Hr Cell Phone
He is a big guy with shoulder long white-blonde hair and wild mustache, wearing black leather and combat boots and sporting a skull-and-wings logo on his black cap. He really likes his job...scary likes it and takes it very serious. This becomes apparent when Eric discovers a rat in the basement and lets Anje know. Anje recruits Eric to help kill the rat, but after a bit Eric decides he doesn't want to kill the rat but rather keep it alive till the cold weather lets up and the rat can go back outside.

This may be a story written for kids, but there is a lot to take away for adults. I found myself thinking about the story and meanings that could be found in the plot.

Avi puts a lot into his books for all ages. (less) ( )

I saw this while browsing for books for my son, and had to check it out even though it's a Christmas book! I have 2 pet rats and think they're the best pets in the world! Plus I love Avi! This was a strange but kind of cute kid's book. I kept picturing Hulk Hogan as Anje...I liked the ending alot. ( )

A very good story to listen to while traveling. It's Christmas vacation the narrator, an only chlid, lonely and bored has already discovered his present. He has nothing to do but wait for the exterminator. Anje Gabrail is a real scarey character, he is determined to kill the rat in basement and wants Eric to help him. Eric begins to consider the rat a friend, after all it is the season of peace and goodwill. Christian references throughout. In the end a story to ponder. ( )

A tale that could have served to warn children to share “secrets” with their parents, shows children they can handle dangerous situations without an adult’s help. This boy is totally self reliant. He handles everything without his parent’s ’help or knowledge. That might be fine except Anje is dangerous. He threatens the boy’s life, shoots at him with a crossbow and gains access to the boy’s locked apartment in the middle of the night.

I’m stepping off my soap box. The story should capture a child’s full attention. The most reluctant reader will tear through the pages, Will the rat make it until Christmas and should Eric be worried about his own fate? These questions will keep a child wondering and reading for hours on end.

Eric is a resourceful young man. His logic is clearly that of a young middle grader without the ability to anticipate the possible consequences of his silence. If I could get past these concerns and read the book for its pure entertainment value, it would receive 4 ½ smiley faces. I can’t. Serious danger surrounds the boy. As a child I may not have the foresight to forecast possible dire repercussions for his silence.

Anje is obviously demented and might hurt Eric, his family or someone else. It doesn’t add up. Eric seems to have a good relationship with both of his parents. Why wouldn’t he confide in them? He is scared and should be.
I do not recommend this book.
☻☻☻ ( )