Jason Rat-a-tat: By Colby Rodowsky

      In Jason Rat-a-tat, by Colby Rodowsky, we are introduced to Jason Miller's family who is always on the go running from one sporting even to the other. Unlike his sports loving family, Jason is not much for playing sports, and spends much of his time on the sidelines lying down watching the clouds drift by. Jason is just not happy in his sports-filled world, he'd much rather be tap-tap-taping a stick on the lid of a trash can or shake-shake-shaking a can filled with bottle caps. However, it is not until a weeklong visit from Jason's granddad that anyone notices Jason's attraction to anything and everything that goes rat-a-tat.
       Granddad decides to take matters into his own hands and buys all three of his grandchildren "unpresents", or presents not actually given for a special occasion. Sports lovers, Andrew and Emily, each get new bicycle accessories packaged in small and medium boxes, but Jason's gift comes in a much larger package. He reaches into the flaps of the big box, with his eyes closed, and feels something flat and round. "IT'S A DRUM," he yells. Jason's granddad, having realized his grandson's true passion was keeping beats and rhythms, buys him a snare drum and signs him up for lessons with the local band director, Sam. Ecstatic about having an activity schedule to hang next to his siblings', Jason's drumming skills improve rapidly and he joins the school band as a percussionist. In a moment of self revelation, the story of Jason ends with him finding his own unique identity; "I play the drum," he says pointing at his new Applewood Elementary School Band shirt.
       Rodowsky's Jason Rat-a-tat tells a rather simple, yet relatable story about a young man who finds his own niche, after struggling to fit into the one his family had chosen for him. The details provided about the setting and plot of the book allow young readers to find a high level of believability and relate-ability, as they make comparisons from their own lives to Jason's feelings of not fitting in.  While the story does not contain high levels of action, vivid characterization lets the reader become emotionally invested in Jason's challenge to find his own identity. Pencil sketches, by Beth Peck, enhance the scenes, allowing the reader create a clearer image of Jason's life.
      This realistic fiction novel would be a good read for readers just beginning chapter books. The reading level of this book would be most likely appropriate for students grades 2-4, but personally I believe the story does not contain enough plot action to hold the interest of the older or more advanced students in this range. The story of Jason reminds readers how important finding your passion is, and how critical that passion can be in developing a sense of self-identity.

Picture Source: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0374336717/ref=rdr_ext_tmb