The Rat-Catcher's Apprentice

Shortlisted, NSW Premier's Literary Awards 2023, UTS Glenda Adams Award for New Writing

Age range 9 to 12

It's 1665. Rats have infested homes and alleys in Marie Perrin's provincial French town. Twelve-year-old Marie is set to become a maid, although she hungers for adventure. However, one mistake alters her fate and as punishment she is forced to apprentice for an intimidating rat-catcher.

Away from her parents and twin brother, and handling gnarly rat traps under Gustave Renard's unusual mentorship, Marie must overcome a new set of challenges which come after a plague enters her town.

Are rats responsible for the spread of the illness? Can Marie find a way out of the bubbling danger around her?

The Rat-Catcher's Apprentice depicts non-traditional families, belonging and female bravery in an atmospheric historical setting.

Teachers notes available here

'An intrepid heroine, a perilous time in plague-ridden France, a society cleaved by class division. The Rat-Catcher's Apprentice is full of heart and hope with a young girl who dares to dream of a life unrestrained by her gender. A compelling and rollicking MG novel.' Amra Pajalic

'A gripping, historical adventure story of bravery and belonging.' Judith Rossell

'An exceptional novel, full of twists and turns and intrigue, with a heart that is brave and kind and true. I adored this timeless story.' Kate Gordon

Maggie Jankuloska was born in Ohrid, Macedonia. She has worked as a teacher/tutor in numerous settings. Maggie was one of the recipients of the 2018 Maurice Saxby Creative Writing Program. Her short fiction and non-fiction pieces have appeared in: The Age/Sydney Morning Herald, SBS Voices, Award Winning Australian Writing, n-SCRIBE and more. In 2020 she participated in the Written in the Time of COVID-19 public art display and was featured in the subsequent anthology. The Rat-Catcher's Apprentice is Maggie Jankuloska's first published novel. Maggie has a passion for writing historical fiction and is currently working on a new children's novel. She is interested in creating layered and realistic characters who overcome obstacles and impart a message of resilience, tolerance and empathy Maggie Jankuloska lives in the northern suburbs of Melbourne with her husband and son. To connect, find Maggie's author pages on social media.

Age range 9 to 12 It's 1665. Rats have infested homes and alleys in Marie Perrin's provincial French town. Twelve-year-old Marie is set to become a maid, although she hungers for adventure. However, one mistake alters her fate and as punishment she is forced to apprentice for an intimidating rat-catcher. Away from her parents and twin brother, and handling gnarly rat traps under Gustave Renard's unusual mentorship, Marie must overcome a new set of challenges which come after a plague enters her town. Are rats responsible for the spread of the illness? Can Marie find a way out of the bubbling danger around her? The Rat-Catcher's Apprentice depicts non-traditional families, belonging and female bravery in an atmospheric historical setting. 'An intrepid heroine, a perilous time in plague-ridden France, a society cleaved by class division. The Rat-Catcher's Apprentice is full of heart and hope with a young girl who dares to dream of a life unrestrained by her gender. A compelling and rollicking MG novel.' - Amra Pajalic 'A gripping, historical adventure story of bravery and belonging.' - Judith Rossell 'An exceptional novel, full of twists and turns and intrigue, with a heart that is brave and kind and true. I adored this timeless story.' - Kate Gordon

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