A moving story about a teenager named Al, who finds himself in a whirlwind of anger, loneliness and a desire for revenge after his mother is once again behind bars. After her release from prison, they try to start anew together, but an unfortunate incident at the store lands him in trouble and he has to go back to prison. Al is convinced that his mother's return to prison is due to his neighbor, Mr. Brayker, who witnessed the incident. Overwhelmed by a sense of injustice, despair and anger, Al plots a risky revenge, in which his unusual pet rats, Venom and Vulture, play an important role. However, the boy soon realizes that things are not as simple as they seem, and that revenge does not bring relief, but more pain. When he finds himself faced with the consequences of his actions, he must confront his emotions and realize that true strength lies in forgiveness, understanding and community support. He is greatly helped by his grandmother, sister Plum, neighbors Ty and Pete, and social worker Blessing.

In this story, Patrice Lawrence explores complex themes such as family dynamics, a sense of belonging, the impact of past mistakes on the future, and the power of empathy. With her characteristic narrative depth and emotional intensity, she depicts Al's inner struggle and finding her own way in a world that seems unfair. The novel is written in an accessible and dynamic style, and due to its short chapters and fluent language, it is also suitable for less experienced readers. The font is dyslexic-friendly. Rat is not only a story about revenge and anger, but also about the importance of understanding others, forgiving, and seeking the right connections that can keep us going in the most difficult moments. (summarized from the main page of Založbe Miš)