The Visitor (Animorphs)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Visitor

Rachel morphing into a cat, "Fluffer McKitty".
Author K. A. Applegate
Illustrator Tim O'Brien
Country United States
Language English
Series Animorphs #2
Genre(s) Science fiction novel
Publisher Scholastic
Publication date 1 June 1996
Media type Print (Paperback)
Pages 192 pp
ISBN ISBN 0590629786
Preceded by The Invasion
Followed by The Encounter

The Visitor is the second book in the Animorphs series, written by K. A. Applegate. It is narrated by Rachel.

[edit] Plot summary

After acquiring bird morphs and spending the day having fun flying, the Animorphs decide that they need to make their next move against the Yeerks. Furthermore, Rachel's friend Melissa Chapman, the daughter of Mr. Chapman, has become distant lately, and Rachel fears she has become a Controller like her father. The Animorphs plan to infiltrate Chapman's house to find out what they can, and Rachel morphs Melissa's pet cat to gain access. While there, she discovers that Mr. Chapman communicates with Visser Three every night, and also learns that Melissa is not a Controller, but has pulled away from her friends because she believes her parents don't love her anymore.

The first-page illustration from The Visitor, showing Rachel in the doorway of Chapman's house, in cat morph.
The first-page illustration from The Visitor, showing Rachel in the doorway of Chapman's house, in cat morph.

The Animorphs decide to infiltrate Chapman's house again a few nights later, this time with Jake morphed as a flea on Rachel's back. However this time Rachel is identified as, incorrectly, an Andalite bandit, and Visser Three orders Chapman to bring both Rachel and Melissa to him so they can be infested. Chapman takes Rachel and Jake, still morphed as a cat and a flea respectively, to the abandoned construction site, and Chapman's Yeerk allows Chapman himself to speak to Visser Three, telling him that he willingly became a Controller on the condition that the Yeerks do not take Melissa. Visser Three dismisses Chapman and takes Rachel and Jake, but Cassie, Marco, and Tobias attack, distracting the Yeerks long enough for Rachel and Jake to escape. The next day, Rachel writes Melissa an anonymous letter, telling her that her parents love her more than ever, despite not being able to show it.

[edit] Morphs

Morpher Morphs acquired Morphs used
Jake Peregrine Falcon, Flea Peregrine Falcon, Flea
Rachel Bald Eagle, Shrew, Cat ("Fluffer McKitty") Bald Eagle, Shrew, Cat ("Fluffer McKitty")
Tobias Cannot acquire new DNA Cannot morph
Cassie Osprey, Flea Osprey, Flea
Marco Osprey, Flea Osprey, Flea
Visser Three Unknown Vanarx, 'Rock Creature'

[edit] Trivia

  • Katherine Applegate originally planned for Ax to make his debut in this book.
  • While the author doesn't have a cat named "Fluffer McKitty", her own cats do have interesting names: "Rabbit", and "Dick the Evil Foot-biting Cat".
  • The front cover quote is "No one knows who they are...".