I was hoping to have both books 3 and 4 of the Moffats series done by now, but I just finished Book 3, so I will be bringing you a review of Rufus M. today! In case you missed them, you can find my reviews of Books 1 and 2 here and here!

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Book: Rufus M. by Eleanor Estes

Genre: Classic Children’s Fiction

Blurb:

You’ve never met anyone quite like Rufus Moffat. He gets things done, but he gets them done his way.
When he wants to check out library books, Rufus teaches himself to write…even though he doesn’t yet know how to read. When food is scarce, he plants some special “Rufus beans” that actually grow…despite his digging them up every day to check on them. And Rufus has friends that other people don’t even know exist! He discovers the only invisible piano player in town, has his own personal flying horse for a day, and tours town with the Cardboard Boy, his dearest friend-and enemy.
Rufus isn’t just the youngest Moffat, he’s also the cleverest, the funniest, and the most unforgettable. (cover and blurb from Goodreads)

My Rating: 4 stars

Recommended Age: 8+ (or younger as a read-aloud)

My Review:

My Overall Thoughts: Like the others in the series, Rufus M. is a fun, wholesome story great for families! I loved the slice-of-life stories, the classic feel, and getting to read more about Rufus. While I did like the first two books more, I still really enjoyed reading this one.

Plot: This book is even more episodic than the first two with there not really being an underlying theme that draws them together, other than the fact that almost all of them are told from Rufus’ perspective (though there are even two chapters that are told from either Jane or Joey’s perspective instead). However, I enjoy the fun, slice-of-life feeling and the simple adventures that Rufus goes on, whether that is looking for the “invisible piano player,” finding money buried under ice, giving a knitted washcloth to a soldier, or getting his first library card.

Characters: Like I mentioned before, Rufus is the main character of this book. While I didn’t find him quite as interesting as Jane, I did enjoy reading about him. He has a sweet, adventurous spirit, and he felt like a very realistic young boy. The other Moffats also star in this book, and we get one full chapter each from Jane and Joey’s perspectives, as well. Everyone is growing up, though, and there are some changes coming for the family!

Writing Style: Again, I love Estes’ style. This story was written in such a simple, nostalgic way, and it really draws you into the setting and helps you feel what the characters are feeling.

Themes: I wouldn’t say there was one theme that encapsulates the whole book, but Rufus and his family often demonstrate good character throughout their adventures, and there are many lessons to be learned, such as the value of patience and selflessness and sharing with others.

Content Notes: There is one instance where Rufus disobeys a family rule (not ever dealt with, and there are no negative consequences). The kids perform magic tricks in one of the chapters.

This was a great continuation of the Moffats series! I will be back again next Monday! In the meantime, feel free to leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!