by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
Amazon rating: 4.7/5.0, Grade 3-7
Good Reads: 4.11/5
Common Sense Media: 5/5/Ages 8+
4Rbooks: 5.5/6, Grades 3-6
Synopsis:
This is a sweeter, simpler take on the Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH story with a little Ratatouille thrown in. Isaiah is a mouse living in a scientific lab. Due to various experiments he is extremely smart, and his coat is an electric blue color. He escapes the lab, but his family is recaptured.
On his own now, Isaiah progresses through a series of adventures with two new friends: Mikayla, a mouse with a beautiful singing voice, and Hailey, a human girl with albino characteristics (never specifically stated). All three characters bound over their uniqueness and sense of alienation. Together they plan a rescue of the rest of Isaiah’s family, still trapped in the lab.
Parental Guidance: Low
The only theme in the book that might require some parental guidance is the topic of animal experimentations. It is not graphically detailed in the story, but children might have questions as to why the animals are in the lab.
There is a nice scene at the end involving a church service and a blessing of the animals.
Recommendation: Medium High
I thought this was a fun book and one that both boys and girls could enjoy. The chapters are short, easy to read, and engaging from beginning to end. It has it’s “what’s going to happen next” moments, and quieter, more contemplative scenes too about unique individuals and their challenges.
Comments