Sterling's Rascal

In 1963, Sterling North published his most renowned novel, a memoir remembering a year of his childhood spent with his pet raccoon, Rascal. Rascal has received many prestigious awards, one of the many being the Newbery Honor and the Dutton Animal Book award.Throughout the book, Sterling and Rascal embark on many adventures whether it's to Lake Koshkonog with Sterling's father to see birds or to Sterling's school for a lesson on raccoon's or in the backyard locked in Rascal's cage. Although all these moments and more are humorous and bring readers content, the most significant part of the book for me is at the end of the book when Rascal leaves to find his female companion. This scene is emotional for Sterling as he is losing his best friend, but I believe that this scene truly evokes the theme of loss and transcendence seen throughout the book. There are other lighter themes in the book as well such as true friendship, but I think that as loss is inevitable, it is a more important and valuable theme. Despite Sterling's losses of his mother's death, his siblings absence; particularly his brothers', and even his father's company when he is working, he overcomes it all and does the same when Rascal leaves him as well.
The departure of Rascal brings their summer to an end and the ending of their story, but also the beginning to his book as every story needs an ending.
Thus, Sterling kept his memories but, let go of his best friend, for Rascal’s happiness. This selfless act of loving someone or something and letting them go because they can do better, is very painful but also, very
mature.

As I mentioned before, the ending of the book brings about by the departure of Rascal. I think that the ending of the book is very fitting and emphasizes the main themes about loss and friendship at once. I wouldn't change the end of this book particularly due to the maturity level seen in Sterling at such a young age.

Personally, I am not someone who can live in the moment, it isn't something my parents raised me to do. I learned that with each step that you take, it’s always safer and better to think about the next two steps ahead of you so you don't end up in a difficult situation of any kind. As I read Rascal, and I went on all these simple, but beautiful journeys with Sterling and Rascal, I concluded that even if you do plan two steps ahead, there will come a time when you've miscalculated or when something unexpected happens. Loss is not something one plans it's sad and at times painful but, it is also inevitable and a growing experience. My perspective on the way I perceive moments changed after I read Rascal. I have realized that at the end of the day, when you're tired and going to bed, it’s better to have your mind filled with memories instead of plans for tomorrow and regrets of your past. Although I have realized this, it doesn't mean that I can practice it immediately. No one can go from a one to a hundred within one realization, it takes time; and Sterling North has taught me that both time and moments are invaluable.

Reading Rascal was a thrill and allowed me to go on adventures that I wasn't able too. I would recommend this book to others, especially animal lovers. It gives you an opportunity to reminisce about your own childhood or maybe just be astounded by the child-like innocence and maturity seen in this book, not to mention the many crazy, wonderful adventures that they get up too.