The Ratha Series
RATHA'S CREATURE, Atheneum, Margaret K. McElderry, 1983, re-issued July 18, 2007 as a Viking-Penguin Firebird Books paperback. Winner (shared) 1983 IRA's Children's Choice Award. Also on ALA Best Books for Young People, 1983. This first book in the series begins with young Ratha's discovery of "her creature" (fire). It introduces the clan of the Named, big puma- and cheetah-like cats who have a herding society, laws and leaders. It also depicts the UnNamed and Bone-chewer, Ratha's irreverent outlaw mate.
CLAN GROUND Atheneum, Margaret K. McElderry, 1984, re-issued July 18, 2007 as a Viking-Penguin Firebird Books paperback . ALA Best Books for Young People, 1984. Explores the effect of "Ratha's Creature" on Ratha herself, a politically astute stranger, Orange Eyes, and the rest of the Named.
RATHA AND THISTLE-CHASER, 1990. McMillan, Margaret K. McElderry, 1990, re-issued September 2007 as a Firebird Books paperback. ALA Best Books for.Young People, 1990. Thistle-chaser is Ratha's crippled and abandoned daughter. When the two are brought together by the herding teacher, Thakur, both have to deal with the conflicts that forced them apart and discover those that could bring them together.
RATHA'S CHALLENGE, McMillan, MKM 1992, re-issued. When Ratha and the Named discover another band of cats with equal but differing intelligence, Ratha has to look beyond the needs of the clan in order to reach out to them. Her daughter, Thistle-chaser, plays a critical role in the clan's decisions and actions.
RATHA'S COURAGE, (forthcoming) Viking-Penguin hardcover Firebird 2007. After successfully dealing with the band of hunting cats and their leader, True-of-Voice introduced in "Challenge", Ratha is taken aback when the befriended tribe apparently turns and attacks the Named. Why? Who is the enigmatic Night-who-eats-stars and why did he steal embers of the Red Tongue? Why did Quiet Hunter, Thistle-chaser's gentle mate from the other clan, suddenly turn rogue and desert her? While struggling to find a reason and an answer to the mysteries, Ratha discovers that courage isn't just about being brave in battle.
