Rascal (book) facts for kids
Rascal: A Memoir of a Better Era, often called just Rascal, is a popular children's book written by Sterling North. It was published in 1963 and tells the true story of Sterling's childhood in Wisconsin. The book is all about a special year when he raised a baby raccoon named Rascal.
Contents
About the Book
Rascal was released in 1963 by Dutton Children's Books. It's a "memoir," which means it's a true story from the author's own life. Sterling North wrote it to remember his time growing up with his unique pet raccoon.
What Happens in Rascal?
The book shares the story of young Sterling and his pet raccoon, Rascal. It also shows Sterling's relationship with his father, David Willard North, who was a dreamer. The story also touches on the sadness Sterling felt after his mother, Elizabeth Nelson North, passed away. We also learn about Sterling's older brother, Herschel, who was away fighting in World War I in Europe.
Rascal, the "ringtailed wonder," helps Sterling connect with the world around him. The story starts when Sterling finds the baby raccoon. It then follows Rascal as he grows from a tiny baby into a young adult raccoon.
A Changing World
The book also shows how the world was changing during Sterling's childhood. It was a time when wild forests were becoming farms, and small towns were growing. People were starting to use cars instead of horse-drawn carriages. Sterling shares what he saw on his adventures near his home. His father also tells stories about when Wisconsin was much wilder, with panthers and whippoorwills singing all night.
Funny Moments
Rascal has many funny parts. Sterling's sister, Theo, is confused when he builds a canoe right in their living room! She also gets a big surprise when Rascal, who was blending in with a rug, suddenly stands up. Later, Sterling and Rascal even enter a pie-eating contest and almost win! Rascal also loves riding in Sterling's bicycle basket and helps him sell magazines by putting on a fun show.
Serious Moments
The book also has serious parts. Sterling worries about his brother, Herschel, who is fighting in World War I. At one point, Rascal bites a boy named Slammy Stillman, who was bothering him. Because of this, Rascal has to be kept inside for a while. Sterling also gets sick with a mild case of the Spanish flu during a big sickness that spread around the world. While he was sick, his Aunt Lillie told him that his mother had always wanted him to become a writer, which he did!
Saying Goodbye to Rascal
As Rascal grows up, he starts causing problems by raiding neighbors' fields and chicken coops. The neighbors get annoyed, and Rascal is in danger of being shot. Also, Rascal is now a young adult and is attracting other raccoons. Sterling knows it's time for Rascal to live in the wild. He takes his newly built canoe and travels for hours across Lake Koshkonong to release Rascal into the woods. One of Sterling's biggest regrets is that his brother Herschel won't be back in time to see Rascal before he leaves.
Awards and Recognition
Rascal has won many awards, showing how much people loved the book:
- Dutton Animal Book Award – 1963
- Newbery Honor – 1964
- Lewis Carroll Shelf Award – 1964
- Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award – 1965
- Sequoyah Book Award – 1966
- William Allen White Children's Book Award – 1966
- Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award – 1966
Movies and Cartoons
Rascal was so popular that it was made into a Disney movie in 1969. The movie, also called Rascal, starred Bill Mumy as young Sterling North. Walter Pidgeon was the voice of the grown-up Sterling, who was remembering his childhood.
The book was also turned into a 52-episode Japanese anime series called Araiguma Rasukaru. This cartoon was very successful. In fact, it accidentally led to raccoons being introduced into Japan, where they are not native animals.
The Sterling North Museum
The house where Sterling North grew up in Edgerton, Wisconsin is now a museum. In the book, this town is called Brailsford Junction. Sterling's daughter, Arielle North Olson, who is also a children's author, helps with the museum.
At the museum, you can see many things related to Rascal:
- The high chair where Rascal tried to eat a sugar cube.
- The barn where Rascal made a hole to get in, which has now been patched.
- The oak tree where Rascal often stayed.
- Sterling's initials painted inside the garage with the same green paint he used on his canoe.
- A recreation of the chicken wire screen that protected their Christmas tree from Rascal.
Other places mentioned in the book that you can visit nearby include Lake Koshkonong, the Rock River, and the Indianford dam.
Sterling's Canoe Paddle
The canoe paddle that Sterling North made for his canoe is on display in the museum of the Albion Academy in Albion, Wisconsin. Sadly, the canoe itself was destroyed in a fire in the 1960s.
Japanese Art Exhibition
In 2008, the Okazaki World Children's Art Museum in Japan held a special exhibition called "A Retrospective Rascal." About 50,000 people visited the display! It was timed to celebrate Sterling North's 100th birthday and the 30th anniversary of the Araiguma Rasukaru anime series. Sterling's original canoe paddle was even sent all the way to Japan to be the main attraction of the exhibit! Many other items from the Edgerton area were also shown.
