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The Orphan and the Mouse
Mary Mouse is a skilled thief of useful human items. At the Cherry Street Children's Home, the entire mouse community admires her...until a mission goes wrong and an exterminator is called. Suddenly, Mary is in grave danger of being exiled.
Ten-year-old Caro McKay also resides at Cherry Street. Helpful, likable, and smart, she is a model orphan ... until her curiosity gets her into trouble. When mouse and orphan meet, they cannot fully communicate with eat other, yet they feel an understanding. They will each discover that this unusual friendship will become absolutely vital as they try to hold on to the lives they know.
Set in 1949 and taking inspiration from E. B. Whites Stuart Little, this heart-warming and exciting novel reads like a classic.
Ten-year-old Caro McKay also resides at Cherry Street. Helpful, likable, and smart, she is a model orphan ... until her curiosity gets her into trouble. When mouse and orphan meet, they cannot fully communicate with eat other, yet they feel an understanding. They will each discover that this unusual friendship will become absolutely vital as they try to hold on to the lives they know.
Set in 1949 and taking inspiration from E. B. Whites Stuart Little, this heart-warming and exciting novel reads like a classic.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
4 people are currently reading
266 people want to read
About the author
Martha Freeman
50 books66 followersMartha Freeman was born in Southern California in 1956. It is not actually true that pterodactyls ruled the skies then, but her three children believe this.
Martha graduated from Glenoaks Elementary, Woodrow Wilson Junior High, and Glendale High School. Until Martha came along, Glendale High's most famous graduate was a fellow named Marion Michael Morrison. He later went into the film game and changed his name to John Wayne, which you might very well do, too, if you were a boy named Marion in unenlightened times. In 1978, Martha graduated from Stanford University with a degree in history. She remains Stanford's most illustrious graduate if not its most wealthy.
Stink Bomb Mom
Martha's First Book.
Martha worked as a newspaper reporter, copy editor, substitute teacher, college lecturer, advertising copywriter, and freelance magazine writer before she found her true calling as a writer of children's books in 1994. Her first book was "Stink Bomb Mom," now, tragically, out of print. She has since published 14 more books for children and as you read this, she is probably working on another one. Besides writing and visiting schools to talk to students, Martha teaches occasional classes at Penn State University, volunteers as an emergency medical technician, and works for a wonderful little company called Wall Street Communications. She is a very busy person.
Martha graduated from Glenoaks Elementary, Woodrow Wilson Junior High, and Glendale High School. Until Martha came along, Glendale High's most famous graduate was a fellow named Marion Michael Morrison. He later went into the film game and changed his name to John Wayne, which you might very well do, too, if you were a boy named Marion in unenlightened times. In 1978, Martha graduated from Stanford University with a degree in history. She remains Stanford's most illustrious graduate if not its most wealthy.
Stink Bomb Mom
Martha's First Book.
Martha worked as a newspaper reporter, copy editor, substitute teacher, college lecturer, advertising copywriter, and freelance magazine writer before she found her true calling as a writer of children's books in 1994. Her first book was "Stink Bomb Mom," now, tragically, out of print. She has since published 14 more books for children and as you read this, she is probably working on another one. Besides writing and visiting schools to talk to students, Martha teaches occasional classes at Penn State University, volunteers as an emergency medical technician, and works for a wonderful little company called Wall Street Communications. She is a very busy person.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 29, 2014
May I start by saying this book makes me want to go re-read "Stuart Little." I loved Martha Freeman's book! It has so much to recommend it: adventure, history, lovely characters, an engaging plot, vivid vocabulary. This title will be wonderful for readers at a number of levels. It is often difficult to find challenging books at the right maturity level for avid readers of an elementary age. This will be a title to fill the bill. Thanks to Martha for the privilege and joy of the early read.
December 6, 2014
2.5 stars
The prose in The Orphan and the Mouse is well written, but the plot never felt cohesively brought together for me. I typically like third person omniscient narration, but here it was a little too omniscient jumping around from person to person. All those elements were finally tied together in the end, but not in a way that made up for the jumping around all through the book. The jumping around also hurt the character development. When you are hopping around so much in just 200 pages, it is impossible to adequately develop the characters. I'm also not convinced of the kid appeal on this particularly when you take the cover into account. My 10 year old daughter took one look at it and said, "Ugh. That looks boring and dumb." I wanted her to read it so that I could get a kid opinion but she's not budging on her initial impression.
The prose in The Orphan and the Mouse is well written, but the plot never felt cohesively brought together for me. I typically like third person omniscient narration, but here it was a little too omniscient jumping around from person to person. All those elements were finally tied together in the end, but not in a way that made up for the jumping around all through the book. The jumping around also hurt the character development. When you are hopping around so much in just 200 pages, it is impossible to adequately develop the characters. I'm also not convinced of the kid appeal on this particularly when you take the cover into account. My 10 year old daughter took one look at it and said, "Ugh. That looks boring and dumb." I wanted her to read it so that I could get a kid opinion but she's not budging on her initial impression.
June 5, 2019
It reminded me of A Little Princess (orphanage), Stuart Little (directly and frequently referenced), The Borrowers (tiny creatures in walls) and all kinds of wonderful children's stories. Stealing and selling babies is a pretty intense plot point, but there you have it. Other dark elements, such as death by cat, are also not shied away from.
A brisk pace and short chapters keep this moving along quite quickly and I really enjoyed the storytelling. Would be a wonderful read aloud for a family or class.
A brisk pace and short chapters keep this moving along quite quickly and I really enjoyed the storytelling. Would be a wonderful read aloud for a family or class.
December 14, 2022
Children's literature can absolutely be written as a mystery, even a cozy mystery. The Bowser and Birdie books by Spencer Quinn are absolutely cozies for children. But they are focused on the mystery, instead of trying to be a classic children's novel and a mystery at the same time.
Besides the obvious corruption inside the mouse society, once Caro is introduced, there's a clear mystery surrounding her mother's death as well as current baby trafficking happening in the orphanage. That gives this book three distinct plot threads, in a book that's only 220 pages and written for an upper elementary aged audience.
Individually any of these plot threads are interesting and engaging. Together, though, they are a mess. The book jumps from scene to scene and point of view to point of view that it's difficult (even as an adult) to focus on any particular scene.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2022/comm...
Besides the obvious corruption inside the mouse society, once Caro is introduced, there's a clear mystery surrounding her mother's death as well as current baby trafficking happening in the orphanage. That gives this book three distinct plot threads, in a book that's only 220 pages and written for an upper elementary aged audience.
Individually any of these plot threads are interesting and engaging. Together, though, they are a mess. The book jumps from scene to scene and point of view to point of view that it's difficult (even as an adult) to focus on any particular scene.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2022/comm...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2015
I especially enjoyed the writing style in this story- events happened and the story moves on. At the same time, a new character is introduced without any introduction, drawing the reader further into the story. The young girl, Caro, is strong and independent; the mouse, Mary, is also strong. The friendship they forge is what leads to a mystery solved. The author references Stuart Little in the story as well.
March 3, 2015
The mice at the Cherry Street Children's Home have an unusual fixation: they are devoted art collectors. The little mouse-sized pictures with the conveniently sticky backs that Matron keeps on her desk are irresistible, and Art Thief is a prestigious position in the mouse community. Mary Mouse is the first female to hold the post after her husband, the previous Art Thief, fell victim to an unfortunate on-the-job accident involving the resident feline. When Mary seems about to suffer a similar fate, she is rescued by one of the girls at the Home -- but in the process, she is seen, not just by that one girl, but by other humans, who schedule a visit from the dreaded Exterminator. The Cherry Street mice will have to move . . . and Mary, the one who brought this disaster down upon them, will be left behind. It's basically a death sentence for Mary, except that the orphans are involved in their own drama, one that Mary will find herself involved in because of Caro, her sympathetic human rescuer.
This book takes a lot of inspiration from Stuart Little, and reads like a mid-century children's classic. It's just the sort of book I would have liked when I was eight or nine, and I hope it will find an audience of similarly enthusiastic young readers today. The characters (both mouse and orphan) are delightful, and there's just the right amount of action and adventure to keep the plot moving along. It does start with a rather traumatic mouse death (Mary's husband's encounter with the cat), but readers who can get past that will find a lot to like in this story.
I don't usually comment on book covers, but I feel this one does a particularly poor job of making the book attractive to young readers. The girl on the front looks no older than six (Caro is supposed to be ten), and the cream background and the cream nightgown make the whole thing look washed out. I expect better from an artist of David McPhail's caliber. --MT
This book takes a lot of inspiration from Stuart Little, and reads like a mid-century children's classic. It's just the sort of book I would have liked when I was eight or nine, and I hope it will find an audience of similarly enthusiastic young readers today. The characters (both mouse and orphan) are delightful, and there's just the right amount of action and adventure to keep the plot moving along. It does start with a rather traumatic mouse death (Mary's husband's encounter with the cat), but readers who can get past that will find a lot to like in this story.
I don't usually comment on book covers, but I feel this one does a particularly poor job of making the book attractive to young readers. The girl on the front looks no older than six (Caro is supposed to be ten), and the cream background and the cream nightgown make the whole thing look washed out. I expect better from an artist of David McPhail's caliber. --MT
March 21, 2016
Sometimes help and guidance comes from the strangest acquaintances. Carolyn (Caro) is a young orphan girl whose father died as a World War ll hero and her mother in a house fire that Caro survived. Caro is scared both physically and mentally from the fire. She is told by the headmistress at the Cherry Street Home that if she is really good she will be forgiven by God for her shortfalls during the fire. Caro is a determined to be well-behaved. She is a model child at the orphanage…even helping a young mouse (Mary) from the “predator”. This story is packed with twists and turns beyond what is behind the walls of the orphanage. Both Mary and Caro have hardships but working together they may just be able to save themselves while bringing some unexpected criminals to justice.
While reading this book the mood is definitely a 1950’s feel, but the characters are easy for students to relate to. I love this book for multiple reasons:
• This book is perfect for teaching intermediate students about foreshadowing both regarding the children at the orphanage and the mice behind the walls.
• The short chapters make it a great interactive read aloud and will spark endless dialogue for students.
• Vocabulary that will require students to use decoding strategies and context clues.
• Using internal thinking in writing.
Although this book is written for children in grades 2-6; I feel it would be more appropriate for intermediate and middle school students (grades 4-8) because of some of the situations with missing children. If using it with younger students, I think it needs to be a read aloud in which the teacher can provide explanations and guidance.
While reading this book the mood is definitely a 1950’s feel, but the characters are easy for students to relate to. I love this book for multiple reasons:
• This book is perfect for teaching intermediate students about foreshadowing both regarding the children at the orphanage and the mice behind the walls.
• The short chapters make it a great interactive read aloud and will spark endless dialogue for students.
• Vocabulary that will require students to use decoding strategies and context clues.
• Using internal thinking in writing.
Although this book is written for children in grades 2-6; I feel it would be more appropriate for intermediate and middle school students (grades 4-8) because of some of the situations with missing children. If using it with younger students, I think it needs to be a read aloud in which the teacher can provide explanations and guidance.
December 7, 2014
The Cherry Street Orphanage isn't outwardly a bad place. The children have chores, but they also have beds and plain but constant food. Even the mice live fairly well, though being seen may result in a call to the exterminator. But there are undercurrents both above and below the floor. An obsession for "art" has resulted in mice art thieves stealing stamps, and a ruthless mouse who is willing to sacrifice the lives of others to stay in office. The orphanage manager is running a side business selling newborns, and she has deliberately manipulated a child, Caro, to create a willing slave. But everything's all right...right? When a mother mouse is abandoned by her clan, and that manipulated, but kindhearted child, steps in to save her life, a distant friendship forms. The truth is going to come out about the missing babies, and both the mouse and child know too much. Set in the 1940's, with a frequent nod to E.B. White's "Stuart Little," this is a crisply, beautifully-written book with lovely drawings by David McPhail. The question is, what audience is this written for? The main character, Caro, is 10. The vocabulary is higher than that, and some of the plot elements speak to an older audience--forceps marks on a newborn baby's head, illegitimacy, psychological manipulation. The illustrations summon a younger audience, and the fantasy elements of a mouse's life are aimed at that younger audience as well. Perhaps one should not worry so much about the audience, however, and just enjoy a good story.
November 12, 2014
The Cherry Street Children's Home is a pretty nice place to live for both kids and mice. The kids have a safe place to stay, nice meals, schooling and a few chores. The mice have an abundant supply of crumbs to fill their larders, entertainment through the stories they hear told to the children and a wonderful supply of art. The Cherry Street mice are obsessed with art and the accumulation of it. They have specially trained thieves who go out into the orphanage to collect art. Mary Mouse has become one the the thieves after her husband is killed. Unfortunately, one of Mary's missions goes awry and she is seen by the humans. Caro, a young orphan saves her life, but the exterminators are to be called. The rest of the mice are forced to move, but they leave Mary in exile as punishment. Caro is a perfect example of a model orphan. She is helpful and kind and willing to believe everything the director Mrs. George says.
This book has a lot of references to Stuart Little by E.B. White which really makes me want to read it again. The mice of Cherry Street see Stuart as a hero and someone to emulate. I don't usually enjoy animal stories, but I like how the mice and the orphans come together in this one. There is a lot going on here: baby snatchings, work house threats, blackmail, despotic rulers, murder. I appreciate that it is all written on a level kids can understand and appreciate. I also really appreciate that Caro didn't suddenly discover the ability to talk to Mary. It made the story more realistic with the communication barrier.
This book has a lot of references to Stuart Little by E.B. White which really makes me want to read it again. The mice of Cherry Street see Stuart as a hero and someone to emulate. I don't usually enjoy animal stories, but I like how the mice and the orphans come together in this one. There is a lot going on here: baby snatchings, work house threats, blackmail, despotic rulers, murder. I appreciate that it is all written on a level kids can understand and appreciate. I also really appreciate that Caro didn't suddenly discover the ability to talk to Mary. It made the story more realistic with the communication barrier.
February 9, 2015
Philadelphia in 1949 is the setting of this fanciful tale of an odd alliance between Caro, a kind-hearted, 11-year-old orphan, and Mary, a widowed mouse, both living at the Cherry Street Home for Children. Caro saves Mary from Gallico, the director’s ill-tempered and aged cat. From then on, their parallel lives lead to the discovery of underhanded deals between the home’s director, Mrs. George, and her judge friend. It seems the director and judge are involved in a baby selling scheme. Mary Mouse’s story involves her being left behind as the mouse colony seeks a new home. She befriends Andrew Mouse, a newcomer to the orphanage who can read. On their missions of stealing “art” (postage stamps) from the director’s office, they discover the black market baby operation. Caro, on the other hand, uncovers evidence of a kidnapped baby. Together, mouse and girl bring the story to a satisfying end. The characters are many but well done: orphans, mice and even a movie star. Readers are given insight into life in an orphanage and post-war America. The descriptive and captivating text is accompanied by random pen and ink illustrations. Astute readers will note similarities to other well-known animal fantasies. E.B. White's Stuart Little is referenced several times by orphans and mice. The title would be a worthwhile addition to any school library.
August 23, 2014
I definitely enjoyed reading Martha Freeman's The Orphan and the Mouse, a fantasy novel inspired by E.B. White's Stuart Little. The book is set in 1949. (Note: I haven't read Stuart Little, but, this novel tempts me to seek it out.) This fantasy is told through multiple perspectives: a few mice, one cat who loves to hunt mice, a couple of orphans, and a practically evil orphanage director. It is illustrated by David McPhail.
I liked this one. I liked the setting. It took some time for me to get hooked on the actual story, but, no time at all to get hooked on the premise of the story. I liked the characters. Mary, the mouse heroine, was a great narrator. I also came to care for Caro, one of the orphans living at the Cherry Street Children's Home. The book offers some suspense and mystery, though often the reader knows much more than the characters in the book. Readers get to watch the characters put it all together and possibly maybe save the day.
I also really appreciated the length of the chapters!
I liked this one. I liked the setting. It took some time for me to get hooked on the actual story, but, no time at all to get hooked on the premise of the story. I liked the characters. Mary, the mouse heroine, was a great narrator. I also came to care for Caro, one of the orphans living at the Cherry Street Children's Home. The book offers some suspense and mystery, though often the reader knows much more than the characters in the book. Readers get to watch the characters put it all together and possibly maybe save the day.
I also really appreciated the length of the chapters!
May 11, 2015
This is a charming book for younger readers who are ready for chapter books. The story of a mouse who is befriended by and in turn befriends an orphan girl is one that will seem familiar to many readers, but that's OK. The characters are well defined, and the plot and its subplots flow smoothly along.
One of the most interesting characters was Mrs. George, the director of the orphanage and the novel's villain. Usually characters like her are pretty one-dimensional--they are the bad guys. However, there are subtle signs of complexity in Mrs. George. I'm not sure that very young readers will pick them up, but I think that's OK.
I do think kids love the ideas of the underdog's winning a contest and the notion that the most insignificant creature can stop the nefarious plans of the biggest villain.
The chapters are short which will make this an especially good book for those students just starting to read chapter books on their own. I think this is a particularly strong candidate to be included in primary grade libraries.
(16-17: I-0, II-2, III-DM+)
One of the most interesting characters was Mrs. George, the director of the orphanage and the novel's villain. Usually characters like her are pretty one-dimensional--they are the bad guys. However, there are subtle signs of complexity in Mrs. George. I'm not sure that very young readers will pick them up, but I think that's OK.
I do think kids love the ideas of the underdog's winning a contest and the notion that the most insignificant creature can stop the nefarious plans of the biggest villain.
The chapters are short which will make this an especially good book for those students just starting to read chapter books on their own. I think this is a particularly strong candidate to be included in primary grade libraries.
(16-17: I-0, II-2, III-DM+)
December 5, 2014
A lovely story, The Orphan and the Mouse reads like a book published much earlier; in that respect, it reminds me of Jeanne Birdsall's excellent The Penderwicks. Martha Freeman dedicates this book to the teacher who read Stuart Little aloud to her class and The Orphan and the Mouse would make an excellent read a loud! It deals with weighty themes: how greed destroys even the most worthwhile effort and how insidious is the abuse of mothers and children. The book also supplies hilarious action, compelling characters, and the fun of watching what little creatures 'harvest' from our homes, like The Borrowers!
At the center of our story are the Orphan, Carolyn, a young girl in a 1949 orphanage who lost her mother and maimed her arm in a fire, and the Mouse, Mary, a mother thief exiled from her beloved children because of the political manueverings of her mouse leader. How each of these two characters assist each other across the species divide is a joy to read.
At the center of our story are the Orphan, Carolyn, a young girl in a 1949 orphanage who lost her mother and maimed her arm in a fire, and the Mouse, Mary, a mother thief exiled from her beloved children because of the political manueverings of her mouse leader. How each of these two characters assist each other across the species divide is a joy to read.
November 13, 2014
This is another book that I liked for literary merit, but not for teaching social studies. The description of this book says that it "reads like a classic" and I fully agree. The writing style, story, and setting are definitely what I would describe as classic. The story surprised me a bit as well, with the baby stealing plot but I enjoyed the multiple perspectives from each of the characters--they were very well developed. However, just because the novel is set in 1949 doesn't mean it should be used in social studies or to teach history. I can't see how this book could be used in that way, but it should be a part of a classroom library.
0/3
0/3
January 30, 2015
I didn’t want to like this book – but I kind of did. Rats. Or, mouse, I guess.
The illustrations were strange and old-fashioned and even appeared (to me) as a bit amateurish. Even the word “orphan” seems quite outdated, and the talking mouse initially came across as “been there, done that”.
But I kept reading, on to page 2 and 3 and 4 and 5…and around page 10 or so, before I could stop myself, I began enjoying the story. Clever, precise writing, with just enough mystery and tension to encourage the reader for just one more page, one more chapter, before bed...
A great selection for kids in grades 2-5.
The illustrations were strange and old-fashioned and even appeared (to me) as a bit amateurish. Even the word “orphan” seems quite outdated, and the talking mouse initially came across as “been there, done that”.
But I kept reading, on to page 2 and 3 and 4 and 5…and around page 10 or so, before I could stop myself, I began enjoying the story. Clever, precise writing, with just enough mystery and tension to encourage the reader for just one more page, one more chapter, before bed...
A great selection for kids in grades 2-5.
January 16, 2015
I wasn't sure how I felt about this book when I first began it, but, by the end of the story, I was completely won over. The author was able to do what so many modern authors have failed -- create characters that stayed with me, and, without an over-run of physical descriptions. I don't really consider myself a "happily ever after" person, but I SO wanted the little girl to end up in the social worker's family. That didn't happen -- yet.
The illustrations echo and pay homage to the great Garth Williams' illustrations that grace the "Little House" books, and, yes, "Stuart Little".
Actual rating: 4.5 stars, but I round up.
The illustrations echo and pay homage to the great Garth Williams' illustrations that grace the "Little House" books, and, yes, "Stuart Little".
Actual rating: 4.5 stars, but I round up.
October 23, 2015
I really wish this book had a better cover. It short sells the exciting story inside with a really boring cover.
Caro is a an orphan living in a fairly well-off orphanage in Philadelphia in 1949. A chance encounter with one of the mice who lives in the walls brings an unexpected friendship for both Caro and Mary Mouse. The mice, who forage for food and art (postage stamps) during the night, discover a surprising plot of kidnapping and other illegal schemes and take it upon themselves to warn Caro. There is also intrigue in the mouse world. Helping each other, the mice and the children form an unlikely friendship that helps them both. An exciting story, recommended for grades 3 and up.
Caro is a an orphan living in a fairly well-off orphanage in Philadelphia in 1949. A chance encounter with one of the mice who lives in the walls brings an unexpected friendship for both Caro and Mary Mouse. The mice, who forage for food and art (postage stamps) during the night, discover a surprising plot of kidnapping and other illegal schemes and take it upon themselves to warn Caro. There is also intrigue in the mouse world. Helping each other, the mice and the children form an unlikely friendship that helps them both. An exciting story, recommended for grades 3 and up.
October 16, 2014
My 10-year-old daughter gives this book 5 stars! She said it was full of adventure and she laughed out loud a couple of times. I give the book 4 stars. The story is excellent and the characters are very likeable. The only reason I opted for 4 stars instead of 5 was because I thought it was a little too sophisticated for young children. Some of the concepts and vocabulary are more suited to older children (i.e. bootlegging, speak-easys, prohibition, unwed mothers, birthing babies, and the murder of innocent mice!). Highly recommended for middle grade children, ages 10-13.
December 18, 2014
So much more than just another story about a cute little mouse, more in the realm of "Annie" even if this little girl doesn't get rich - she gets peace of mind.
Lots of suspense with the chapters alternating between the main characters, which are well-developed. It thought this might be a refreshing change from the evil but nice-appearing matron. I was not surprised by the "real" patron, but it was a very satisfying ending!
Lots of suspense with the chapters alternating between the main characters, which are well-developed. It thought this might be a refreshing change from the evil but nice-appearing matron. I was not surprised by the "real" patron, but it was a very satisfying ending!
May 16, 2015
this is a well written story.......the sophisticated verse is direct contrast to one of main characters: a mouse in a house! What I love is how the writer reveals the details of the plot in the NEXT chapters, and this makes it very interesting......I have to give MARTHA FREEMAN credit because I am a big wimp when it comes to mice and by page one I was disgusted but it is such a different tale I continued reading.....
October 4, 2014
Sweet, old-fashioned type of story of the children in an orphanage, the mice that live in their walls, and two disasters brewing: an exterminator has been called and a newborn has gone missing from a nearby hospital. Lovely read with surprising twists and turns.
June 21, 2015
Caro and the other orphans are in an orphanage that may not be as bad as the one in Annie, but it is bad. One night Caro meets up with one of the mice that lives in the walls and their friendship throughout the book ends up being the way that Caro's life is saved.
July 2, 2015
A bit of Orphan Annie mixed with Stuart Little. There's a lot to think about and I know some readers who will really love Mary Mouse and Caro - and how friendship and honesty prevail over power and greed.
August 20, 2015
"...a combination that yielded precisely the pacific results..." (55). "Pacific"!? Really? Sloppy editing... Almost completely unforgivable.
That being said this book is amazing. I love it. It is the kind of story that is made to be a classic. Endearing through and through.
That being said this book is amazing. I love it. It is the kind of story that is made to be a classic. Endearing through and through.
April 11, 2017
Just went back and gave this one another star because it keeps popping up in my mind! Sweet, old-fashioned style read. I think, too it was a case of being the perfect book at that particular time for some reason.
First Line: "Crouched in the shadow of the door, Gallico watched the mouse approach."
First Line: "Crouched in the shadow of the door, Gallico watched the mouse approach."
August 15, 2014
Mice learning to read, some plucky orphans, and an evil orphanage director (and her cat)--perfect ingredients for a fun read aloud. Illustrations by David McPhail add bonus points!
October 31, 2014
I loved the relationship between Mary, the mouse, and Caro, the orphan.
November 25, 2014
Little girl helps solve the mystery of the stolen baby during the 1920s with the help of a mouse that lives in her orphanage. Good for friendship, mysteries, honesty and children vs. adults.
December 30, 2014
Smart and sweet. Just how I like my middle grade fiction!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews