Ragweed

by Avi

Published 1 May 1999
The prequel to the Dimwood Forest Chronicles - this is the story of Ragweed the young golden mouse who was the impetus for Poppy's first trip into Dimwood before his horrible end at the claws of the evil Mr Ocax. Meet Ragweed, a young, brash golden mouse - desperate to see the world he leaves his family and serene country home behind and heads for the bright lights of the big city. The city is a place of wonder, of adventure and excitement. But also a place fraught with cars and buses, music and pleasure, attitude and danger - chiefly in the form of cats! Meet Silversides, a huge white urban cat, complete with diamond studded collar and an vindictive attitude to match. As founder and president of F.E.A.R (Felines Enraged About Rodents) Silversides, accompanied by her second in comand, vice president Greybar, fanatically stalks her prey - mice - relentlessly and mercilessly. When Ragweed arrives in the city he befriends hipster band members Clutch, Dipstick and Lugnut, as well as Blinker, a timid pet store mouse, and together they transform an abandoned bookshop into a cool new club, the Cafe Independent.
Bursting with energy and excitement the mice plan a wild - and cat-free - opening night. But with Silversides and Greybar prowling the sewers planning a surprise attack, just how long can this state of mice independence last? In a very dangerous game of cat and mouse Ragweed discovers a world where courage and loyalty are the keys to survival.