Mortimer: Rat Race to Space
Everything you ever wanted to know about life on the International Space Station (ISS) and more in Mortimer: Rat Race to Space by Joan Marie Galat.
Mortimer is a lab rat at NASA and he and his rat colleagues have just found out one of them will be chosen for a mission to the ISS. Mortimer is determined to be that rat and prove that rats are the best choice to colonize Mars. His schemes don’t go as planned and he learns a few things along the way.
Joan Marie Galat has crafted a unique story centered in her obvious love for all things space. Like all great stories featuring rodents, Mortimer: Rat Race to Space has adventure, suspense and gives readers a greater appreciation for these clever and undervalued creatures. The story was certainly a little out of this world.
For readers who love information and non fiction as much as they love fiction, this book has so much information about astronauts, the ISS and NASA. We get to follow Mortimer as he is loaded onto a rocket and sent hurtling into space. We also learn A TON about the ISS and how astronauts live in space. There are some great connections to be made and discussions to be had about climate change, waste and how the race to space contributes to these events. I loved learning how astronauts keep clean in space and how their bodies change due to weightlessness.
I really liked Mortimer’s journal entries throughout the story. Through his entries we learn about his Grand Plan and also how he changes and grows during his time on the ISS. Joan Marie Galat also creates an interesting rat friendship between Mortimer and Boris. Two creatures who have lived very different lives: Boris has never been to Earth and Mortimer never to space. Mortimer’s friendship with Boris allows him to be more trusting and open and Boris learns that his fears of Earth are really no different than the fears in space.
One of my favourite parts of the story was about halfway through when Boris and Mortimer conduct an experiment of their vestibular systems. I dare any reader not to try it out themselves. I really enjoy little surprises that creep up while reading and draw the readers into the story in a physical way.
Mortimer: Rat Race to Space was a great story pack full of information.
