The Great and the Small

A. T. Balsara’s THE GREAT & THE SMALL features beautiful illustrations and thought-provoking themes of loyalty, courage, and the consequences of hate, creating a rich, compelling world. The story unfolds through the perspectives of Fin—a young, conflicted rat caught between loyalty to his tyrannical uncle who seeks revenge against the humans who have tormented their kind and a newfound empathy toward humans—and Ananda, a human teenager navigating trauma and a strained relationship with her father. Blending the worlds of a war-torn underground rat society and Ananda’s emotional journey, the novel delves into political intrigue, emotional depth, and coming-of-age moments.