The Mouse Watch Underwater

The Mouse Watch #2

by J.J. Gilbert

Bernie and Jarvis dive into one mind-blowing marine mission in this action-packed sequel to The Mouse Watch! Perfect for fans of Spy School!

You've heard of the Rescue Rangers. Now meet the Mouse Watch.

Six months after being recruited to the Mouse Watch, brave mouse Bernie and shy rat Jarvis are now officially Level One agents and are getting along like cheese and crackers! They've already completed their first successful mission, and now it’s now back to basic training with the goal of moving up the ranks in the Mouse Watch.

But more pressing matters are at hand (or rather, at paw). A mysterious radio transmission reveals that the S.S. Moon, a long-lost spy vessel, may still lie hidden under the sea. Legend has it that on board the ship is an energy source called the Milk Saucer that could save―or destroy―the planet. The Mouse Watch must get to it before it falls into the claws of their evil nemesis, R.A.T.S!

Bernie and Jarvis suit up―in scuba suits, this time―for a deep-sea mission on a submarine the size of a shark snack. As they come whisker-to-whisker with hungry sea creatures, a mercenary mouse pirate, the underwater city of Catlantis, and nefarious nemeses at every turn, the pair will have to use every ounce of their bravery and ingenuity to find the Milk Saucer first―and save the world.

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

240 pages, Hardcover

Published May 4, 2021

About the author

J. J. Gilbert has worked in Hollywood for most of his life as a director, animator, producer, and storyboard artist for companies such as Walt Disney Studios, and has been bringing mice (and other creatures) to life for years. He lives in California with his wife and kids. His favorite kind of cheese is Stilton.

Also see: Jason Lethcoe

(source: Amazon)

Reviews

[Mary BookHounds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adorable book perfect for younger middle-grade children.  It takes place in the Rescue Rangers world so if you are familiar with Chip and Dale, you will be most comfortable. Even if you don't know anything about the world, this story is filled out so you can pick it right up, especially if you love Saturday morning cartoons.  The story develops the friendship between Bernie and Jarvis after they saved the world on their first day of training. As Bernie becomes a first level agent, she hopes to rescue more than cats from trees and a call comes in about the SS Moon spying for the RATS. They get to deep dive into the underwater to Catlantis. Yes, the story is full of quick humor and puns - so you can safely say - they RELEASE THE KRAKEN.  This is a fun adventure and promotes friendship and self-reliance while working as a team.  

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley & Disney-Hyperion for advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

This dad read “The Mouse Watch: Underwater” by J.J. Gilbert, a Disney-Hyperion children’s/middle grade novel being released May 4, 2021. This is the second book in the Mouse Watch series which expands the universe while giving our heroes another exciting mission to complete.

For those unfamiliar with the setup, The Mouse Watch is an agency created by Gadget Hackenwrench (of Rescue Rangers fame) with bases all over the world. With tons of cool high-tech gadgets in their arsenal, the Watch’s goal is to keep the world safe from the evil R.A.T.S. organization. New recruits Bernie Sampersky and Jarvis Slinktail (the only rat to ever join the Watch), now Level 1 agents and best friends, are off an another adventure. This one takes them to the depths of the ocean as they attempt to retrieve a valuable resource before the bad guys do.

What I enjoy about these books is that they remind me of my younger days coming home from school and watching the Disney Afternoon block of cartoons- Ducktales, Tail Spin & Rescue Rangers – episodic, fun adventures filled with unique villains and plenty of hijinks. What Gilbert has done so well here is introduce readers to the next generation of adventurers who are similar to their 90’s counterparts but different too. There is more depth to them and they face mature issues like fear, trust and loyalty but do so in a way that is easy for young readers to digest.

The Mouse Watch books are aimed towards young readers but parents/adults will definitely enjoy them too. I challenge any grown-up to not at least crack a smile when “Underwater” takes our heroes to Catlantis – yes it is what it sound like, the cat version of the lost city of Atlantis. And like great episodic TV shows, this latest Mouse Watch installment will leave you wanting to dive right into whatever adventure is next.

I recommend this book for young readers and nostalgic adult Disney fans everywhere – 🧢 🧢 🧢 🧢/5

[Vernon Area Public Library KIDS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernie and Jarvis are back and ready to dive into another action-packed mission! Just six months after being recruited by the Mouse Watch, Bernie and her partner Jarvis are officially Level one agents and ready to move up the ranks. But there is a new mission that’s time sensitive. They receive a radio transmission from the long-lost spy vessel, the S.S. Moon. It is said that there is an energy source aboard the ship called the milk saucer that could potentially save- or destroy- the planet. The agents must retrieve it before it falls into the hands of their nemesis, the R.A.T.S!

Bernie and Jarvis suit up and are ready to explore the mysterious deep sea, but are they ready to face hungry sea creatures, a mouse pirate, and the furry felines of the underwater city Catlantis, and still save the world?

After reading the first book in this action-packed series, I was eagerly ready to dive into this sequel, and boy did it prove to be just as gripping and exciting as it’s predecessor. A new nemesis at every turn AND an underwater city filled with cats?! Sign me up! Keep an eye out for book three coming this Thanksgiving. It’s sure to be out of this world! This book is also available as a Hoopla Audio Book.

Reviewed by Skye Kordistos, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the second book I have read in The Mouse Watch series. I liked how this centered around girl mice as well. This would be a good book to have in your classroom library for kids to read.

[Stormi (StormReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernie and Jarvis has survived their first mission even when they were not full recruits yet, but now they are level one recruits! Bernie is bored with the mundane little jobs as she wants to do something cool, not rescue kittens out of trees! Bernie is a mouse so rescuing her enemy is not considered fun, but the Mouse Watch are there to rescue any animal in need.

Bernie and Jarvis are in the headquarters when there is a call about the London Mouse Watch facility is under attack, so the two new recruits get handed of to Chip and Dale to sort of do some very mundane things. While they are cleaning out an old (mouse) ship, they come across a transmission about the SS Moon which was a submarine that went missing like 50 years ago and its giving off coordinates to where the sub should be in the ocean. With all the other agents off in London, Bernie and Jarvis are sent on another submarine to find it because it has a very important piece of technology on it that they can't let the R.A.T.S. get their hands on.

Bernie is so excited about this new mission but Jarvis is not so keen on it because he has a fear of water and now he has to go in a submarine. It's not an easy trip as the R.A.T.S are on their tales and hoping to get rid of these two new recruits who thwarted their plans to take over the world (first book). They run into some interesting things while underwater. They are attacked by a shark who thinks their tiny sub is a tasty fish, get rescued by a mechanical kraken and have to visit a place called Catlantis, yes an underwater city full of cats! Bernie is not so keen on this part of the mission as she hates cats!

In this story both Bernie and Jarvis will have a chance to face their fears and become better Mouse Watch agents. I really like these little characters. Bernie, is a very brave mouse and doesn't let a lot of things stop her (though a city full of cats about did the trick), she is a very independent mouse and that is kind of her downfall. I at times would get aggravated at her because she wasn't being a team player. Jarvis, he is a very nerdy rat and it's because of him being a tech wiz that he was allowed to be part of the team as they don't normally allow rats. He is just an all around fun character and probably my favorite of the two.

If you ever watched the Rescue Rangers and loved it then you would definitely like this series. It was just a super fun and cute book and I think young readers would have fun with it.

[Rajiv · Rating 4 out of 5]

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I have not read the first book in the series, “The Mouse Watch.” Hence, when I started reading “The Mouse Watch Underwater, “I didn’t know what to expect. But, I grew up watching Disney Toon shows like “Duck Tales,” ” Talespin,” and ” Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers.” It was a treat revisiting characters like Gadget and Chip and Dale in the story.

The highlight of the story is the two main characters. Bernis and Jarvis are dynamic in the lead as they quest to find the Milk Saucer. Besides, Jarvis is hilarious in his behavior. He is a tech-loving geek but gets nervous and stressed with the minor challenges and susceptible to whatever people offer. At the same time, Bernie is the contrasting, level-headed adventurer who doubts people and re-thinks all the situations. There are also side characters like Captain Crumb and Octavia who add nicely to the role. Another character who made me laugh was “Empress Cleopatra Marshmallow Fluffyface the Third.” The author wrote her in a deliciously evil yet charming way that makes you wish she were more prominent in the story.,

The author is so creative with the plot, and even as an adult, I found myself chuckling at scenes and admiring the creativity. From visiting “Catlantis” to using out-of-the-world technology, the author will completely immerse the reader in the world of The Mouse Watchers. They encounter various sea monsters like Barracudas and Krakens. Overall, the story is filled with action and adventure and makes you feel like watching a classic James Bond movie.

Overall, “The Mouse Watch Underwater” is a fun story that will surely entertain you if you are in the mood for a classic adventure.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernie and her partner Jarvis have been with The Mouse Watch for six months. Bernie is hoping the two of them will be promoted to Level 2 agents soon, but she's concerned about the mistakes that were made on their most recent assignment, which had been to rescue a kitten from a tree. Bernie didn't think the assignment had been fair, though, since it had been about a cat! it didn't matter that it was a baby cat. Cats were cats, and they were all extremely dangerous to mice.

But, before she and Jarvis get the chance to ask about it, orders come in for all Level 2 agents to report to the London office. Since Bernie and Jarvis are the only Level 1 agents, they are given a location and told to report there and follow the order of Chip and Dale. Yes, that Chip and Dale. The Rescue Rangers! While getting their new mission, Bernie triggers a message, which provides the location of the S. S. Moon, a submarine that has been missing for decades. The importance of finding the S. S. Moon greatly outweighs any other mission, and Chip and Dale suddenly change Bernie and Jarvis's orders. Will they be able to find and recover the S. S. Moon before the R.A.T.S. find it?

This was another fun adventure in The Mouse Watch series. We get more background information about our two favorite agents as the two of them battle their fears and the R.A.T.S. These two work well together, and I really liked how they supported each other when needed. As the action began to really heat up, I definitely liked the new take on the lost city of Atlantis.

I know that this book is marketed for kids, but if you watched Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers as a kid, then you'll probably enjoy this, even as an adult. That's especially true as Gadget, Chip, and Dale are all present in this book, and Gadget is the one who began the Mouse Watch organization.

If you've listened to The Mouse Watch, then you already know what to expect with another story in the series; if you liked The Mouse Watch, then you will also like The Mouse Watch Underwater. If you haven't listened to The Mouse Watch, I definitely recommend listening to that book first. Then listen to this one.

MacLeod Andrews narrates this sequel to The Mouse Watch and gives another wonderful performance. He pulled me right into the story and hit all the right spots with tension and emotion. Simply wonderful.

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really fun sequel. I read this to our resident 7 year old as well as the first book and she loved them both!
We pick up right where we left off in the first one, with Bernie and Jarvis newly dubbed Level 1 agents. Bernie is slightly disappointed because they aren't getting any big, dangerous assignments, just the small stuff like rescuing a kitten from a tree. Bernie and Jarvis have the most adorable friendship. Throughout the book, whenever one is scared or having a hard time, the other is always there for them. There were a lot of other characters (Chip and Dale had a small part in this one!), but none really stood out like Bernie and Jarvis do.
This plot kind of went along the same lines as the first one, Bernie and Jarvis happened to be the only 2 agents available for a mission to save the world. This time, they are sent on a mission to retrieve an energy source called the Milk Saucer from the depths of the ocean. They battle all sorts of ocean animals and even visit the city of Catlantis!
This is just a really fun middle grade book, great for kids and adults alike!

[Kristen Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mouse Watch: Underwater, is a nonstop adventure that kids will love.

Bernie and Jarvis are level one agents with Mouse Watch. They've already defeated a supervillain, so when their next mission is to rescue a cat, Bernie is a little disappointed. When the rest of the agents of Mouse Watch are called away, Bernie and Jarvis are the only ones left at headquarters. When a mission to retrieve the legendary Milk Saucer—an item with an unimaginable amount of energy, enough to destroy the planet—comes in, Bernie and Jarvis are ready to go. Only thing is, the Milk Saucer is in a sunken sub on the bottom of the ocean, and Jarvis is afraid of swimming. Bernie is afraid of cats, and before the end of their mission, they will both face their fears and solidify their friendship along the way.

J.J. Gilbert has crafted a fantastic tale that will keep kids enthralled and the adults who read with them entertained as well. The characters are fun, the settings colorful, and the mission is nail-biting. I highly recommend this book for the whole family.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Disney Publishing Worldwide through NetGalley.
The adventures continue for the two newest members of the Mouse Watch. The book begins with Bernie and Jarvis continuing their Level One training with a quick kitten rescue. Soon after their return from this mission, events happen and they end up underwater searching for a missing submarine from the World War II era that holds a special power source. Danger follows them and readers will appreciate the clever ways they work together and with the sub's crew. Plenty of adventure, suspense and fun for middle grade readers.
Gilbert captures the Disney style as we see how the characters interact and the fantastic tools Gadget designs. Readers also see the emphasize on team spirit. The pace and story line work better in this book as Gilbert continues to develop the characters.
Looking forward to more adventures.

[Hope Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernadette and Jarvis are back as Level I Mouse Watch agents. The world is once again threatened by the nefarious R.A.T.S., and as the Mouse Watch prepares to travel to New York to stop the R.A.T.S world domination plan, Bernadette and Jarvis are left behind to train. When Chip and Dale show up to begin their training, plans change and the agents are taken on an underwater adventure to secure the Milk Saucer, a super battery pack that, if it were to fall into the wrong hands, would spell doom for humans and mice alike.

I love the Mouse Watch books! Very fun, adventure filled tales that will appeal to 2nd-4th grade students. Good addition to an elementary school library for readers who are just diving into chapter books. I look forward to more in this series.

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernie and Jarvis are now fully into their Mouse Watch basic training even though they helped to save the world on their very first day. When all of the other agents are called away on a big mission, Bernie and Jarvis are left to help Chip & Dale. Things don't go as planned and Bernie and Jarvis are whisked away on a dangerous mission no one saw coming. Will Bernie overcome her fear of cats? Will Jarvis learn how to swim and overcome his fear of water? Overall, a great middle grades story that focuses on fighting your fears and the importance of teamwork.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute if a bit ponderous.

Bernie and Jarvis are still fun characters and I enjoy their adventures and interactions. It is predictable, but it is also innocent and sweet.

This thing is one long trope after another, it is certainly not a thinker, but the mindless innocence is what gives it it's charm. I could share it with my kids without a problem, and they would really enjoy it.

Listened to the audio, and the guy did a great job of bringing the characters to life.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun sequel to the first book in the series, The Mouse Watch. Highly recommended for young readers.

[Rebecca Clinite · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great sequel to the first book and with new characters that kept the story interesting! A little predictable in places, but in a middle grade novel, that’s to be expected.

[Jill]

J FIC GILBERT, J.

[Rachel Kokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mouse Watch Underwater was written by J.J. Gilbert. It is book two in the Mouse Watch series, and I would recommend reading them in order.

Summary: Bernie and Jarvis are back in action again. They have a new mission and it won’t be easy. Along the way, the team will encounter dangerous sea creatures, hungry cats, backstabbing villains, and The Mouse Watch’s most notorious foe-R.A.T.S.

Can Bernie and Jarvis face their fears and save the world from being exposed to the most dangerous weapon ever made?

My Thoughts: This is an enjoyable read. If you watched Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers as a kid, this series brings back the nostalgia, and now your own kids can get in on the fun! The characters are well-developed, there is lots of action, and plenty of fantastic and imaginative gadgets. It’s a bit predictable in spots, but then again it’s designed for kids, and I don’t think they would notice like an adult might.

Overall, I liked this book and had fun reading it.

I would like to thank Disney Publishing Worldwide for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Move over Rescue Rangers, Bernie, Jarvis and the mouse watch are here. While the rest of the watch are called away to a big emergency, Bernie and Jarvis are stuck doing menial stuff until a message comes through about the SS Moon, a old submarine that was sunk, that had some awesome tech called the Milk Saucer that the mice want back very badly, and the only ones left for the job are Bernie and Jarvis. Can the two friends overcome their fears to save the milk saucer?

These books are so much fun with all their adventures, and cool tech down to Jarvis' special hoodie. The book is very exciting with fast paced action from cover to cover. Not to mention the suspense that will hold you captive until rescued by the ending of the book. This is a great book for even the reluctant of readers as well as a classroom read as the plot and cliff hangers will hold anyone's attention. No matter where you read it this is a great book that you won't want to miss.

[Michelle, The Book Critic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun adventure for kids, I would 100% recommend.

[Lizz Axnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, loved the first book in this series and I was so excited to read this one. It definitely did not disappoint.

Bernie Skampersky loves being in the Mouse Watch but after her first assignment goes so well she is back to basic training. She longs for more excitement and to show off her capabilities. She will get the opportunity to do just that when the entire Watch is called out to London to dispatch a team of R.A.T.S. who have taken over a field office. While they were planning to have her and her best friend and Level One Watcher, Jarvis, clean out a submarine in everyone's absence, they receive a transmission of a long lost power source that could destroy the world in the wrong hands. Bernie and Jarvis must again save the day!

These books are such fun to read (and I am way out of their target audience in my 30s) I would say for any age. One of my very favorite books is about intelligent rats who help save a field mouse's house and I have been looking for other books that fit the genre. The Mouse Watch series does so quite nicely. The fantasy world of the Mouse Watch and all their fantastic gadgets is fascinating to read and wonder about. I highly recommend this for anyone who loves fantasy novels, Disney or young readers in general. This is a super fun adventure underwater to save the world.

I do hope there will be more of these books! My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Opinions in this review are my own.