Ragweed

Greetings, everyone. This is Dewey, the library cat. If you remember, the past few weeks we’ve been having discussions about how good stories can have all kinds of characters.

A certain cat we all know seems to be having trouble learning this lesson, so this week I’m going to prove my point by recommending a book called Ragweed by Avi. This is a story about mice.

Flash: MICE? Are you kidding?

Yes, mice. And there are two cats in the story. They are the villains.

Flash: Now wait just a minutes here, Dewey! This is my blog and I make the rules. I will not have any books recommended on Operation Story Share where cats are the bad guys!

You’re missing my point, Flash. Remember how good stories can have all kinds of characters?

Flash: But feline villains? That’s just wrong!

Stop interrupting and listen. Ragweed is a story about a group of mice resisting the tyranny of the two cats trying to run the city. It could just have easily been cats vs. dogs or rabbits vs. foxes, but Avi chose to use mice and cats as his characters. Don’t you see? The story is the same no matter who the characters are.

Flash: I guess. But I still don’t like it.

You don’t have to. Not everyone likes the same kind of stories and that’s okay. But some of your fans might enjoy this book.

Flash: Drat. Okay, fine. I don’t believe I’m doing this. Listen up, fans. If you want to read a story where cats are the bad guys, Dewey says to read Ragweed by Avi. Just remember, he recommended it—so don’t come whining to me if you don’t like it.

Well that was a glowing recommendation if I ever heard one.

Flash: Seriously? I mean, I didn’t try very hard.

I realize that. I was being sarcastic. And I hope after this week we can finally put this character nonsense to rest. Good stories are good stories, regardless of who the characters are.

Flash: Maybe. But you have to admit, they’re better if the characters are cats. Especially if they’re Feline Extraordinaires, like me.

Sigh.