In the dark, every secret has teeth.
Themes: Courage, Coming-of-age, Friendship, Trust
Krish never wanted to go camping—especially not with the father who barely knows him. But when a detour in the
unforgiving wilds of Ladakh leads them to a village erased from history, their uneasy reunion becomes a fight
for survival. Little did Krish know, this trip would change his life forever.
The village of Imdur is shrouded in mystery and danger. The eerie silence is only broken by the whispers of dark secrets and the
villagers’ distrustful stares. Krish quickly learns that they are not welcome here and must tread carefully to survive.
As he unravels the village’s secrets, Krish realizes that his own father has been keeping something from him. Something
that could cost them both their lives. But in a place where ancient rituals and traditions hold power over life and death,
Krish must navigate through the darkness to uncover the truth.
Some places change you. Some truths demand it. And in Imdur, Krish will be forced to confront his deepest fears and make choices that will determine his fate.
Age/Grade: 9-12 years/Grades 4-8
Formats: eBook/ Paperback
Page Count: 198 pages
ISBN: eBook: 978-1990780073
Paperback: 978-1990780080/ 1990780083
Audiobook:
Nominations and Awards:
CBC Kids and YA Halloween Books List – 2021
CBC Best Canadian MG/YA Books of 2021
Short-listed - Chocolate Lily Book Awards – 2022
Forest of Reading Kid Committee Summer Reading List 2022
Reviews:
"A good deal of action, a likable protagonist, and an ever growing sense of doom … A satisfying fantasy full of mystery." -Kirkus Reviews
"I couldn’t put it down as it felt like I was living the story and needed to know how it would end!" -Eric Walters, author of The King of Jam Sandwiches and The Rule of Three
"Brimming with tension from the first page to the last, Valley of the Rats is filled with mystery, heart, and horror. If you're looking for a book to make your skin crawl, look no further!" -Joel A. Sutherland, bestselling author of Summer's End, Screamers, and numerous volumes of Haunted Canada
"A page turner … this book will appeal to middle-grade readers who enjoy suspense, adventure and a little magic realism." -Aliki Tryphonopoulos ―Canadian Children's Book News
"I have so many ‘F’ words to describe Valley of the Rats: ‘funny,’ ‘fantastic,’ ‘fabulous,’ and ‘flawless.’ But the one you should use is ‘first book on your to-read list." - Marty Chan, author of Fire and Glass and Haunted Hospital
"This story, with the main character's insecurities and favourite F-words, will amuse young readers. The information about rats will both horrify and fascinate readers as they watch how the relationship between Krish and his father changes when Krish learns to trust himself." - Highly Recommended. 5/5 Stars -- Helen Mason ― CM Magazine
"The author deftly blends psychological realism with exciting action sequences to produce a book that is sure to thrill young readers while at the same time giving them a subtle experience of the complex character development and structural symmetries that speak to the author’s literary ambitions. This is a book with broad appeal that will be read with pleasure by readers of all ages." - Tom Sandborn, Vancouver Sun
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