Martin Rattler

"Martin Rattler" by R. M. Ballantyne is a story from the 1800s about a young troublemaker named Martin Rattler, who lives with his exasperated aunt, Mrs. Dorothy Grumbit; however, despite his mischief, the villagers secretly admire him. The book begins with Martin, a playful and strong boy, constantly annoying his aunt; and even though he has a bad reputation with the villagers, they seem to like him, suggesting there’s more to him than people think. Soon, Martin’s schoolyard adventures, which include a kitten, a bully, and a fight, tease themes of bravery and loyalty, hinting at an exciting search for identity and adventure on the open seas.