Mouse Scouts: Camp Out

Mouse Scouts

by Sarah Dillard

Badges are better when you earn them together! The Mouse Scouts are ready to earn a new badge . . . but can they make it in the wild without their fearless leader?
 
The Scouts are hitting the nature trail to earn their “Camp Out” badge. But not all of the troopers are gung-ho about sleeping beneath the stars. Violet can’t bear the thought of leaving her comfy bed behind, while everything about the great outdoors seems to make Junebug sneeze.
 
But when Miss Poppy goes missing, can the Scouts work together to track down their troop leader?
 
Brimming with lively black-and-white illustrations—including pages from the official Mouse Scout Handbook—these darling stories about the smallest Scouts with the biggest hearts are just right for fans of Ivy and Bean.
 
“Strong characters plus lots of laughs make this a welcome series for new readers.”
— Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Chapter Books, Animals

144 pages, Library Binding

First published October 11, 2016

About the author

Sarah lives on a mountain in Vermont with her husband and their fidgety brown dog. Though Sarah strives for perfection, she seldom achieves it. Her house is rarely clean and her garden, when not buried under a snowdrift, is usually full of weeds. Overall, though, she has a pretty nice life. And if windows would only wash themselves, it would be just about perfect! Visit Sarah online at www.sarahdillard.com and www.mousescouts.com

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Up until now, becoming a Mouse Scout was the best thing that had ever happened to Violet.

Premise/plot: Camp Out is the third book in the Mouse Scouts series by Sarah Dillard. Each book seems to be focused on the scouts earning a particular badge. This third book is focused on the "camp out" badge. Violet is nervous--anxious--about the trip. The thought of sleeping outside practically terrifies her. Tigerlily, on the other hand, is excited about the trip. Other badges may panic her--but not this one.

My thoughts: If you've enjoyed the other two books in this series then there's a good chance you'll enjoy this one and any other future books. The books are predictable and safe in a comfy-cozy early reader way. There's something comforting about book series delivering exactly what you want and how you want it. Predictable is essentially exactly what you want when you're seven or eight.

I like the series. I do. I'm not the target audience. I know this. But it is always good for adults to know a little something--or a LOT even--about what books are currently being published for this age group. It's a very important stage developmentally!!!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this, the third title in the Mouse Scouts series, the Mouse Scouts are determined to earn their next badge for camping out. While Tigerlily is raring to go, Violet has her doubts about the whole experience of being in the wilderness and sleeping on the ground. She even spends a night on the floor to prepare for the adventure. Anyone who's ever been camping or a scout will recognize the challenges the girls face as they forage for food, set up their tents, contend with a greedy squirrel who steals their cheese, and have more than a couple of mishaps. But all is not terrible for the scouts since they toast marshmallows and tell scary stories by the fire. They even rescue Miss Poppy when she disappears and injures herself. The story itself is one with which most readers can relate, made particularly appealing because each character has her own distinct personality and quirkiness. I'm certain readers will see themselves in Violet, Tigerlifly, Hyacinth, Petunia, Junebug or Cricket. The black and white drawings and Mouse Scout Handbook add interest to the book as a whole with the Handbook's tips being useful for human readers as well as would-be scouts.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This easy chapter book is appropriate for young children who have conquered beginning chapter books and are ready for the next level. Each chapter is about 15 pages with large type and a few pen and ink drawings. Dispersed throughout the story are sections of the “Mouse Scout Handbook” that offer information on poisonous plants, packing your backpack, how to make a compass and other camping advice which readers can use for their own adventures.
The plot is simple, but touches on the themes of friendship and teamwork. The story comes to a satisfactory end with the potential for another book. This is the third in the Mouse Scouts series. (Reviewed by Meghann MacMillan)

[Mary T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to try out this series because it looked to be a good, wholesome early chapter book to read to my first grader. It reminded us of the Sophie Mouse series, but we liked Sophie Mouse better. While I liked the "Mouse Scout Handbooks" tips interspersed, it slowed down the narrative. There wasn't much excitement or reason to keep reading. We might try another Mouse Scouts book to see if we like it any better.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

4/4/20 age 7 - The story is about Acorn Scouts who are going camping for their Camp Out badge. I liked the parts when Miss Poppy, the Acorn Scout leader, showed them what poison ivy looked like, and then later Miss Poppy gets tangled up in a vine and asks for help and one of the Acorn Scouts asked, "Is that poison ivy?" and Miss Poppy freaked out but she was fine. I did not like that Miss Poppy got tangled up in poison ivy.
Words that describe this book: exciting, surprising, entertaining, inspiring, confusing. It was confusing because Miss Poppy knew what poison ivy looked like, and when she got tangled up in a vine, she didn't know it was poison ivy.
I would recommend this book to people who like camping, activities, staying safe, mice, and foraging for food.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This third book in the series of Mouse Scouts follows the troop on their first camping trip. Overall seemed to portray a negative outlook about camping in general though the girls were able to make the best of the situation and learn some things in the end.

[Beth Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud to the younger kids. This one was just as good as book 1 (after book 2 feeling really slow). The Mouse Scout Handbook excerpts arrived super cute, and the storyline was more interesting in this one.

[Demelza Wakefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

A random find at our library that I hopes my daughter would like (she's a Girl Scout). We started this together and her little brother joined us for the last few chapters. I thought it was clever and cute. My daughter can't wait to read other Mouse Scout adventures.

[Doris Gourbere · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a cute little read!

[Juliana Aconito · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an awesome read (4YO). Clean, camping fun from all different (kid) perspectives. Lots of great teachings and things to think about.

[Chelsea Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and fun

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another cute book in the series. I liked the camping setting and the advice (real for humans) she provided as part of the experience. I hope to try the natural mosquito repellent recipe!!

[Natalie {I'd So Rather Be Reading} · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vlog Review by Macy Kate.

This series is one of Macy Kate's favorites. She enjoys the strong characters, good values, friendships and of course the fact that these are cute little mice. See her review of books 1 & 2 HERE.

Read/watch full review HERE

[Serenity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute book in this series. The scouts learn the importance of following the rules when they go for an overnight campout. They also learn to enjoy the outdoors, although not in all the ways they expected.

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through my district library services*

[Mandy Robek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having been a Girl Scout and raised Girl Scouts this story made me smile, laugh, and remember memories.