Bernard Into Battle: A Miss Bianca Story

by Margery Sharp

Miss Bianca's faithful lieutenant, Bernard, directs a hazardous operation that repulses the army of rats infesting the regions under the Ambassador's cellar.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Animals

87 pages, Hardcover

First published July 30, 1979

About the author

Margery Sharp was born Clara Margery Melita Sharp in Salisbury. She spent part of her childhood in Malta.

Sharp wrote 26 novels, 14 children's stories, 4 plays, 2 mysteries and many short stories. She is best known for her series of children's books about a little white mouse named Miss Bianca and her companion, Bernard. Two Disney films have been made based on them, called The Rescuers and The Rescuers Down Under.

In 1938, she married Major Geoffrey Castle, an aeronautical engineer.

Reviews

[L Y N N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ya just gotta love Bernard and his dedication to Miss Bianca's safety. Though Miss Bianca is perfectly capable of aiding the battle without putting herself in danger! Love this series!!

[Rubi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the Bernard story I was waiting for!
We finally see him in action and how quick he was to respond to problems with ideas and resource!
I loved it!
Only thing is, poor Bernard never got his bride, but I'm glad he turned down Miss Bianca's offer to live together in the last book. Seeing as, she only wanted to be friends, it wouldn't have been right for him :(
But I'm glad EVERYONE finally acknowledged his leadership. It's about time. While Miss Bianca sat down doing nothing.
I found that kinda funny though.....that she finally did as she was told by Bernard. She NEVER listened before. But hey, good for him. He was finally taken seriously. She finally learned his opinion matters and was good at time :)
Go Bernard! haha
Great ending to a good series. With they still sold these.
Recommend for kids everywhere. It had a kinda tragic ending, but was satisfying. It was overall a happy tale :)
btw, the movies (as usual haha) was nothing like the series, though! You have been warned. Those of you who loved the films (I liked the 2nd one haha), will not find those stories here. It's different, but still worth the time. It IS how they were inspired after all.

[Amber the Human · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aww, The Rescuers story line has come to an end. You can tell that either Sharp loved this story line (or that her readers did) because she kept trying to end the series, but then kept coming back to it. I don't appreciate all the rat bashing in this book, but a worthy finish nonetheless.

[Jessica Dudenhofer Beery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book, full of brave mice wielding pencil spears, talking teddy bears and a child with a lady mouse as his tutor. Charming and quick adventure read, with a few French words (defined) thrown in to make the reader feel elegant and adventurous as well. *wink*

Yes, this Bernard is the same one in "The Rescuers" with his lovely lady friend, Bianca (who make her appearance in this book as well). I think this is one of the later books in the series of "Miss Bianca" books...at the conclusion of the book, there is mention of no desire for more adventures.

Clean book, but not so amazing I would seek out other books in the series. However, if I found them in a stack of free books, I would pick them up. My kids might enjoy them more than I think, so I'll try this as a read-aloud in a few years.

[Lucy Takeda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d actually give this a 2.5. Miss Bianca spends most of her time worrying and writing poetry rather than actively doing anything. It is also rather gruesome for a children’s book.
The Embassy Staff has gone away on vacation. The mice are having a grand time in the empty building, except the Water Workmen leave a sewer grating ajar, which leads to rats entering the premises. Also, one of the assigned caretakers simply gives himself a vacation, and the one that actually comes in finds the port barrel in the cellar.

[AR · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet end to the series.

[Wintermote · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was ok. Nothing spectacular. Lots of mouse military. Simply a continuation of their saga.