The classic tale takes on modern themes in a retelling by master storyteller Michael Morpurgo, aided by Emma Chichester Clark"s bright illustrations. In the town of Hamelin, the rich folk live high off the hog, while the poor and sick must scavenge in the trash that"s left behind. And that trash keeps building up and up until a horde of rats overruns the town. In this lively retelling, a spunky street kid narrates the age-old tale of a piper who offers to rid a town of its rats for a single gold coin, then lures away the town"s children when the greedy mayor reneges on the deal. With a nod to contemporary social and environmental themes, former British Children"s Laureate Michael Morpurgo and illustrator Emma Chichester Clark team up to charm readers with a compelling--and ultimately hopeful--new take on a timeless story.