Who could resist living for a year with a raccoon who is just about your best friend?
In this delightful memoir, Sterling North recalls his year with Rascal--a very mischievous and resourceful raccoon. Sterling, a boy of 11, watches in amazement as this baby raccoon, barely the size of Sterling's hand, instinctively washes everything before eating it. Sterling knows that every night Rascal will sneak into the house by hooking his claws onto the back screen door and head straight for Sterling's bed! Virtually everywhere Sterling goes, Rascal is there, and life is filled with one adventure after another.
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"This is a delightful book about a young boy who raises a raccoon kit during the World War II era. Anyone who likes nature will enjoy Sterling's real life experiences with his neighbors and community as he raises his pet. Very detailed about various aspects of the animals he raised."
— Susan (4 out of 5 stars)
" I read this book several times as a child. Although the family copy disappeared decades ago, I've never forgotten it. "
— Anne, 2/14/2014" What boy wouldn't like to have a pet Raccoon? Read aloud #2 is still as fun as the first time. "
— Alyssa, 2/3/2014" I can't believe this is the first time I'm reading this! "
— Ruthie, 1/27/2014" Grew up with this. Rascal, along with My Side of the Mountain, E.B. White, and Roald Dahl, had a lot to do with my growing up and loving books. "
— JDK1962, 1/20/2014" Great to read. What a time of trust! "
— Siri, 1/9/2014" It was cute, but not my favorite. But, my 8 year old feels otherwise! We read it in 2007 and he still talks about it. "
— Chanelle, 1/5/2014" awesome book about a raccoon "
— Geoffrey, 12/29/2013" I didn't realize this is actually a true story. We listened to this in the car. It was a little difficult for the younger children to understand but they still enjoyed the delightful tales of Rascal the racoon. "
— Kristi, 12/26/2013" Charming. I loved it as a teen and have been able to recall the image of Rascal washing a sugar cube well into adulthood. Alone that is a worth a re-read. "
— Susanne, 11/4/2013" Can't wait to re-read it again. What a sweet, sweet story. "
— Emily, 10/13/2013" What a pleasant book appealing to both my biology mind and my sentiment. My only complaint is that it ended; I wanted to know what happened next in Sterling's life and Rascal's. "
— Sarah, 10/4/2013" it was a nice laid back cute book about a boy and his pet raccoon, "
— Andrew, 5/7/2013" I HATED this book. I had to read it two years in a row as a science summer project. I wanted to burn it both times. Sorry Sterling North, but what were you thinking?!? "
— Tori, 3/17/2013" i probably read this book over 30 years ago. i remember like it was yesterday. i look forward to rereading it. "
— Brendan, 2/13/2013" It was a good book you sould read it. "
— Jaremy, 11/16/2012" Rascal is such a precious, inspiring book! I have always had a fondness for Americana stories of country-boys and their pets, so this was my third or fourth read-through. *smile* "
— Rachel, 10/29/2012" I enjoyed this as a child "
— Micha, 10/11/2012" One of the best realistic fiction books I have ever read. "
— Fenoose, 5/16/2012" This is such a fun book. I loved it. It didn't take long for me to finish. I kept my nose stuck in all day. I had so much fun reading it. I reviewed this to my friends, and several of them read it to. The ending is really good. I stayed with them all the way until the end. "
— Toni, 1/24/2012" Great book! If you haven't noticed, there aren't many books I don't like. I like Rascal 'cause it's all about the little raccoon, and I love animals. It's also a great adventure book. "
— Banana, 1/17/2012" Good bedtime-reading-for-kids book. "
— Rebecca, 1/14/2012" Rascal creates many mental images while reading. The story is about a boy's friendship with a raccoon and their many adventures. It is a treasure to read. "
— Janet, 10/6/2011" I think I read this in the 4th grade, and really don't remember much except that it was about a raccoon named Rascal. "
— Coco, 9/25/2011" i want a rracccooonnn "
— Han, 8/15/2011" One of my most favorite books as a kid. "
— Heather, 8/15/2011" I loved this as a kid. "
— Sam, 3/2/2011" Man, when I was a kid I was a freak for this book!! <br/>Read it, and also his non-fiction book,"Raccoons Are People, Too". <br/> <br/>I think I might want to read this again. It's been about 36 years. "
— Clark, 2/17/2011" The author of this book is from the town right next to where I grew up. He references a lot of places in the area. It was cool because I knew what he was talking about! "
— Alisa, 1/7/2011" Wish I read this book in sixth grade. "
— doug, 12/7/2010" An interesting, carefree tale of ones relationship with his/her pet "
— Tom, 9/15/2010" Very good book. My favourite book of all time! A boy named Sterling finds a den of raccoons and takes one home. Go with them on camping trips, pie-eating contests, and fishing. "
— Mac, 7/19/2010Jim Weiss’ storytelling recordings have received the highest awards from the Parents’ Choice Foundation, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, and the American Library Association and have been widely praised in major publications across North America and internationally. He is the winner of eight AudioFile Earphones Awards.