title: Rats on the Roof (Puffin Chapters)
author: James Marshall
description: James Marshall was born in San Antonio, Texas, and grew up sixteen miles outside of the town on the family farm. His father, who worked for the railroad, had his own dance band in the thirties and appeared on the radio. His mother, also musical, sang in the church choir. So it wasn't surprising when Jim considered playing the viola for a career and received a scholarshipto attend the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. But during an airplane trip he was jerked out of his seat and injured his hand, and that was the end of his musical career.
zlib_text: ![](images/00001.jpg)
  
  
  ##### www.blackmask.com
  
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  The Dock Rats of New York
  
  
  [CHAPTER I.](The%20Dock%20Rats%20of%20New%20York_split_001.html#filepos7825)
  
  [CHAPTER II.](The%20Dock%20Rats%20of%20New%20York_split_001.html#filepos22851)
  
  [CHAPTER
  III.](The%20Dock%20Rats%20of%20New%20York_split_001.html#filepos29139)
  
  [CHAPTER IV.](The%20Dock%20Rats%20of%20New%20York_split_001.html#filepos36777)
  
  [CHAPTER V.](The%20Dock%20Rats%20of%20New%20York_split_001.html#filepos46192)
  
  [CHAPTER VI.](The%20Dock%20Rats%20of%20New%20York_split_001.html#filepos58726)
  
  [CHAPTER
  VII.](The%20Dock%20Rats%20of%20New%20York_split_001.html#filepos73615)
  
  [CHAPTER
  VIII.](The%20Dock%20Rats%20of%20New%20York_split_001.html#filepos87620)
  
  [CHAPTER IX.](The%20Dock%20Rats%20of%20New%20York_split_001.html#filepos96905)
  
  [CHAPTER X.](The%20Dock%20Rats%20of%20New%20York_split_001.html#filepos104419)
  
  [CHAPTER
  XI.](The%20Dock%20Rats%20of%20New%20York_split_001.html#filepos116629)
  
  [CHAPTER
  XII.](The%20Dock%20Rats%2