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Five Ancestors #6
Mouse
Little street urchin ShaoSu has always wanted to belong. His small size makes him an easy target for bullies and baddies and this little “mouse” always needs a place to hide. When he is befriended by Hok and Ying, he thinks he has found a new family, and eagerly tags along as they continue on their travels. What he doesn’t know is that his new friends are the most wanted criminals in China, and their adventures will land him in the middle of a battle not only for their lives, but for the future of China itself.
As the characters rush towards a dramatic conclusion to the Five Ancestors series in this, the penultimate title, Jeff Stone has again created a marvelous story, a compelling voice, and a ton of exciting action.
From the Hardcover edition.
As the characters rush towards a dramatic conclusion to the Five Ancestors series in this, the penultimate title, Jeff Stone has again created a marvelous story, a compelling voice, and a ton of exciting action.
From the Hardcover edition.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 11, 2009
About the author
Jeff Stone
75 books160 followersJEFF STONE is the bestselling author of the International Reading Association (IRA) and American Library Association (ALA) award-winning, middle-grade, kung fu action/adventure series, THE FIVE ANCESTORS, and its follow-up trilogy, THE FIVE ANCESTORS: OUT OF THE ASHES. Published by Penguin Random House, there are 10 novels in total with nearly 700K copies sold in 14 languages. Audio versions by Listening Library/Penguin Random House Audio. Film rights previously optioned by Nickelodeon and Likely Story.
A veteran writing coach and former college writing instructor with 30+ years experience, Jeff has facilitated more than 150 writing workshops at universities, educator conferences, and K-12 schools on three continents.
Like his main characters, Jeff was an orphan. Unlike them, he was adopted into the very best family imaginable. He spent 15 years searching for his birthmother before finding her. He found his birthfather a year later.
A Detroit native, Jeff is the proud father of an adult daughter and adult son. His former wife is from Hong Kong, where they had a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony in the mid-90’s. His immersion in Chinese culture and shared ethnic experiences with their children informs his writing, as does his training in animal-style kung fu.
In 2005, Jeff traveled to Shaolin Temple in China with ambassadors from the Shaolin-Do Association and was given the HUGE honor of testing for his black belt in Shaolin-Do Kung Fu at Shaolin Temple. His highly interactive, kung fu storytelling school and library presentations are unforgettable.
A veteran writing coach and former college writing instructor with 30+ years experience, Jeff has facilitated more than 150 writing workshops at universities, educator conferences, and K-12 schools on three continents.
Like his main characters, Jeff was an orphan. Unlike them, he was adopted into the very best family imaginable. He spent 15 years searching for his birthmother before finding her. He found his birthfather a year later.
A Detroit native, Jeff is the proud father of an adult daughter and adult son. His former wife is from Hong Kong, where they had a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony in the mid-90’s. His immersion in Chinese culture and shared ethnic experiences with their children informs his writing, as does his training in animal-style kung fu.
In 2005, Jeff traveled to Shaolin Temple in China with ambassadors from the Shaolin-Do Association and was given the HUGE honor of testing for his black belt in Shaolin-Do Kung Fu at Shaolin Temple. His highly interactive, kung fu storytelling school and library presentations are unforgettable.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
March 31, 2015
Um, I wrote it. :-)
September 30, 2012
This is the UK/Australian version of the novel Mouse. Don't get it if you already have Mouse.
August 12, 2021
This is like all the other books. Good actions, but there are issues with the series. I’m excited to be moving on to the last book in the series and seeing how it ends. While the series does have movement it definitely suffers from too many volumes. I want to see how it ends and how everything wraps up.
June 30, 2017
Enjoyed the new perspective without Kung fu, but missed it too. Lots of action and still can't predict where the story will go next.
July 18, 2025
little rat
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January 12, 2017My boys loved the entire series
January 5, 2013
The Five Ancestors series is plain out fantastic! I started reading the books in middle school and took a break until recently when I read the 6th book Mouse. I would read this book a million times and more if I had the time. This book is a continuation of the last one and you read it from the perspective of a young boy which they call ‘Mouse’.
Reading this book you see the story play out in a different way as the others, before it was the same story from a different point of view of the Five Ancestors but this one you see the point of view of a younger boy who has just tagged along with the Five Ancestors. Before he was nothing more than just an orphan living on the streets stealing food for a living, but now he is on an adventure fighting for the Dragon Scroll and the Jade sword and armor.
The main motive of these books and for this book specifically is to see the journey of these five kids as they try to stop the evil in China and take what is rightfully theirs and to protect anyone they can after what had happened to them and their village. Each book tells a little bit more on the story and tells it from a different point of view of people to see what others were doing when the people before were doing what they were. When reading it is kind of hard to pick up on who is talking and when something happened but otherwise the books are pretty much straight forward and easy. In this particular story ShouShu or Mouse is the one telling the story and you see from his perspective how he got captured and how he made it back to everyone to help them.
Reading this book was a thrill and finding out what had happened after Snake was lost and how everyone was separated was great. These books keep you reading and wanting to know more. I love this series and can’t wait to get the next book. If you want to read something exciting, invigorating and something thrilling read The Five Ancestors . I know I’m going to continue reading to find out if they can get the scrolls and the armor/ sword from TongLong the newest enemy of the Ancestors and to see if everyone can get along w/ Dragon and old enemy now an ally fighting w/ and Ancestors again.
Reading this book you see the story play out in a different way as the others, before it was the same story from a different point of view of the Five Ancestors but this one you see the point of view of a younger boy who has just tagged along with the Five Ancestors. Before he was nothing more than just an orphan living on the streets stealing food for a living, but now he is on an adventure fighting for the Dragon Scroll and the Jade sword and armor.
The main motive of these books and for this book specifically is to see the journey of these five kids as they try to stop the evil in China and take what is rightfully theirs and to protect anyone they can after what had happened to them and their village. Each book tells a little bit more on the story and tells it from a different point of view of people to see what others were doing when the people before were doing what they were. When reading it is kind of hard to pick up on who is talking and when something happened but otherwise the books are pretty much straight forward and easy. In this particular story ShouShu or Mouse is the one telling the story and you see from his perspective how he got captured and how he made it back to everyone to help them.
Reading this book was a thrill and finding out what had happened after Snake was lost and how everyone was separated was great. These books keep you reading and wanting to know more. I love this series and can’t wait to get the next book. If you want to read something exciting, invigorating and something thrilling read The Five Ancestors . I know I’m going to continue reading to find out if they can get the scrolls and the armor/ sword from TongLong the newest enemy of the Ancestors and to see if everyone can get along w/ Dragon and old enemy now an ally fighting w/ and Ancestors again.
November 13, 2015
Mouse is a story about a character that was introduced in Eagle. ShoaShu, translated as Mouse, has lived on the streets his entire life, which isn't very long, but it has taught him how to survive. He is befriended by Hok and Ying and wants to help them stop Tonglong. So, he stows away aboard Tonglong's ship. That is the beginning of his tale in ancient China.
This story seems more like a side-story to the previous five books. Yes, the plot moves forward, but a lot of the book is about Tonglong and his need for power. Since the story doesn't focus on one of the main characters that were in the first four books, I was a little confused by what I though of as a quick addition to a pretty spectacular series. Don't get me wrong, it is still a great piece of writing, but it seemed to me that this book kind of appeared as an afterthought.
Jeff Stone continues to amaze me with his knowledge of Chinese history. His ability to write about China in the mid-1600's really brings this series to life. His writing style is able to transport me to a world I know nothing about and makes me want to know more about it. I often find myself forgetting how young these characters are supposed to be and thinks of them as being older. Still, that doesn't matter because the series is so entertaining. I think young reader will really get a kick out of this series because there is nothing else out there like it. Boys who love martial arts films will really love the Five Ancestors.
Overall, Mouse is a great story, but is the weakest of the books so far. The series is still spectacular and I am really looking forward to seeing how it all ends in the final book, Dragon. Will the kids be able to stop Tonglong and his plans of ruling China? Let's hope so. Replacing one bad ruler with an even worse one is never the answer.
I rated this book an 8 out of 10.
This story seems more like a side-story to the previous five books. Yes, the plot moves forward, but a lot of the book is about Tonglong and his need for power. Since the story doesn't focus on one of the main characters that were in the first four books, I was a little confused by what I though of as a quick addition to a pretty spectacular series. Don't get me wrong, it is still a great piece of writing, but it seemed to me that this book kind of appeared as an afterthought.
Jeff Stone continues to amaze me with his knowledge of Chinese history. His ability to write about China in the mid-1600's really brings this series to life. His writing style is able to transport me to a world I know nothing about and makes me want to know more about it. I often find myself forgetting how young these characters are supposed to be and thinks of them as being older. Still, that doesn't matter because the series is so entertaining. I think young reader will really get a kick out of this series because there is nothing else out there like it. Boys who love martial arts films will really love the Five Ancestors.
Overall, Mouse is a great story, but is the weakest of the books so far. The series is still spectacular and I am really looking forward to seeing how it all ends in the final book, Dragon. Will the kids be able to stop Tonglong and his plans of ruling China? Let's hope so. Replacing one bad ruler with an even worse one is never the answer.
I rated this book an 8 out of 10.
December 27, 2014
It's a little bit odd, I think that the author chose to introduce a new character into the series and give him his own book, but ShaoShu is an endearing little guy, and I suspect he has a much greater role to play in this epic (we shall see, I suppose--one more book to go).
I think that Mouse is probably the most complex book in The Five Ancestor's series (up to this point, anyway). Mouse focuses less on emotions that would be easy for older elementary school kids to understand (revenge, anger, jealousy), and we dive into a world of complex political machinations and power plays. While Mouse features the youngest character in the series, the book is likely to be best understood by middle school readers, as opposed to elementary school kids who would have had little difficulty in understanding Tiger or Monkey.
There is less martial arts action in this one, too, but that's not to say less violence. The violence has taken on a different tone--now it's war, and there are naval battles and gunfights. Gunpowder takes center stage in Mouse while flying side kicks are kept to a noticeable minimum. I definitely prefer martial arts action to cannon fire, but this book also felt more mature to me, so I guess things balance out.
I think that Mouse is probably the most complex book in The Five Ancestor's series (up to this point, anyway). Mouse focuses less on emotions that would be easy for older elementary school kids to understand (revenge, anger, jealousy), and we dive into a world of complex political machinations and power plays. While Mouse features the youngest character in the series, the book is likely to be best understood by middle school readers, as opposed to elementary school kids who would have had little difficulty in understanding Tiger or Monkey.
There is less martial arts action in this one, too, but that's not to say less violence. The violence has taken on a different tone--now it's war, and there are naval battles and gunfights. Gunpowder takes center stage in Mouse while flying side kicks are kept to a noticeable minimum. I definitely prefer martial arts action to cannon fire, but this book also felt more mature to me, so I guess things balance out.
December 30, 2014
ShaoShu was an orphan, all alone until he met Hok and Ying. Their kindness inspired the most reckless deed of his life: sneaking aboard Tonglong's ship to spy on their enemy firsthand. But when the plan backfires, ShaoShu ends up caught in the middle of Tonglong's schemes. Can a little mouse do anything in the face of the Mantis?
The series continues to show the fascinating interplay between the end of one era and the beginning of a new. ShaoShu isn't a martial arts master like the other protagonists. He's a little boy who steps softly and can squeeze himself into unlikely hiding spots. But with the deadly force of guns, which makes any man the equal of a martial artist, Tonglong has leveled the playing field considerably. It's also interesting because these are the very early versions of guns, which only fire one shot and take so long to reload it makes more sense to carry multiple weapons than it does to carry more ammunition.
As Tonglong's plans blossom, the situation looks darker than ever. Now the national issues surge forward: no longer is it about the fate of one man, but the whole of the kingdom.
Overall these are very short, enjoyable reads. They have considerable depth for the age range, and would be good for anyone who enjoys historical fiction or martial arts. I rate this book Recommended.
The series continues to show the fascinating interplay between the end of one era and the beginning of a new. ShaoShu isn't a martial arts master like the other protagonists. He's a little boy who steps softly and can squeeze himself into unlikely hiding spots. But with the deadly force of guns, which makes any man the equal of a martial artist, Tonglong has leveled the playing field considerably. It's also interesting because these are the very early versions of guns, which only fire one shot and take so long to reload it makes more sense to carry multiple weapons than it does to carry more ammunition.
As Tonglong's plans blossom, the situation looks darker than ever. Now the national issues surge forward: no longer is it about the fate of one man, but the whole of the kingdom.
Overall these are very short, enjoyable reads. They have considerable depth for the age range, and would be good for anyone who enjoys historical fiction or martial arts. I rate this book Recommended.
April 20, 2009
This is a great kids series- very much like what the first season of Lost would be like if the main characters were 12-year old martial artists- though I'm starting to get anxious for it to be wrapped up. Each book in the series is told from the point of view of one character- each of whom is an orphaned martial arts expert scattered into the world when their temple is burned to the ground. Each must struggle to fight, survive, and puzzle together what has happened and what they can do to stop it.
This book is a tad weaker than the ones that came before it, mostly because the main character was just introduced in the last book. I had thought Jeff Stone might end it after five books (wouldn't that make sense?) but I guess it's going to trudge on for awhile. Oh well, I'll keep reading them
This book is a tad weaker than the ones that came before it, mostly because the main character was just introduced in the last book. I had thought Jeff Stone might end it after five books (wouldn't that make sense?) but I guess it's going to trudge on for awhile. Oh well, I'll keep reading them
August 13, 2009
Book #6,
Mouse
of the Five Ancestors series was less action and more espionage than any other book in the series. The book focuses on ShaoShu, Little Mouse, who was introduced in Book #5, Eagle. A street urchin with a talent for getting into tight places, ShaoShu must rely on speed, stealth and intrigue to get by. Therefore, this book was all plot building. There was little fighting, other than a naval battle and a few pistol fights. There was very little kung fu here, as more and more of the world stocks up on firearms. Not many characters, are introduced this time around, but more than a handful are removed from the story in a number of ways, leading up to the fast paced and gripping final pages which leave things open for what may be the final book in the series : Book #7, Dragon.
April 8, 2024
The warrior monk children continue on their mission as they, along with Ying, race to reach the treasure before Tonglong. Their new friend, ShaoShu (little mouse), has stowed away in their enemies ship. While forced to work for Tonglong, ShaoShu gathers intelligence that is invaluable to the monks and their long lost brother Long. A huge betrayal at and in the fighting pits leaves Long victorious yet under arrest but the chaos that ensues allows him and ShaoShu to escape. Once again, this edition is riddled with errors. Tonglong’s name once again is spaced and hyphenated in different places and other words are separated for example Champion ship, Em peror. It’s a shame to see so many errors in one small book.
May 11, 2014
Mouse is another great book in The Five Ancestors series. Mouse is a little different that the first 5 books as Mouse was not at the Temple studying under the grandmaster as the others were. He doesn't know is real name or how old he is.
ShaoSu (Mouse) unwilling servant of Tonglong. Mouse is forced to help Tonglong, who we know isn't a very nice person. Mouse comes into contact with Hok who had met earlier. He also meets up with Long, the Golden Dragon, at the fights.
Strong female characters so girls will enjoy reading this series. The Five Ancestors series is a fantastic for boys. It is high interest with lots of action. Great for reluctant readers.
ShaoSu (Mouse) unwilling servant of Tonglong. Mouse is forced to help Tonglong, who we know isn't a very nice person. Mouse comes into contact with Hok who had met earlier. He also meets up with Long, the Golden Dragon, at the fights.
Strong female characters so girls will enjoy reading this series. The Five Ancestors series is a fantastic for boys. It is high interest with lots of action. Great for reluctant readers.
November 21, 2010
I like how Jeff Stone makes each characters personality like a animal's. Like in this book, Xiao Shu was like a mouse, he was sneaky and can hiding really well. All of his character traits are just like a mouse's. This is also another reason I like his books. Also, I noticed by looking at the books after this 1 that he also writes in a villians point of view. I would like to see what the villians are thinking because in most books, it is told by the hero's point of view and not a villains point of view. So I want to see what a villian is thinking.
December 3, 2010
Shaoshu, a newly found friend to Ying and Hok is an orphan whose only name for his entire life has been 'Little Mouse'. His unnatural abilities to squeeze through tight places, pick keyed locks easily, and speed through streets without being seen make him a perfect spy. He starts out this story stuck aboard Tonlong's Man-O-War doing the evil man's dirty work such as getting a key from a grave and infiltrating the southern warlords lair by dodging trip wires. In the end, the emperor is being held hostage by Tonlong and the mouse is stuck, still doing his dirty work.
February 2, 2012
ShaoShu (Little Mouse) has a lot of adventures: he stows away aboard Tonglong's boat, is discovered, and is forced to serve Tonglong. At the end of the story, Tonglong uses ShaoShu to sabotage Lei's (Thunder) fight against Golden Dragon (Long) during the Fight Club Grand Championship, then Tonglong kills Xie's father, the Western Warlord, and his own mother, AnGangseh (she'd paid Lei to steal the key to the Forbidden City from Tonglong). Lots of action and a cliffhanger ending, as Long (carrying Xie) escapes the Fight Club with ShaoShu while Tonglong is occupied with the Emperor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 17, 2009I think this series is one of my favorites because each book is from a different protagonist's perspective. This particular story was told from a little boy's point of view which was interesting because even though he didnt understand a lot of the things that were going on, he made his own interpretation. They sometimes made me analyze in a different way and at times it was cute.
but maybe from the series books i have been reading, i can predict what happens more easily.
but maybe from the series books i have been reading, i can predict what happens more easily.
November 24, 2011
The sixth book in The Five Ancestors series. As this series winds down to its close, ShaoShu sneaks off to gather information for his friends. He stows away on the boat of the evil Tonglong and when found must pretend to help him to stay alive. But who is using whom? A wonderful continuation of the story line. You won't be able to wait for the 7th and final book that will decide the battle for the future of China.
September 28, 2012
Mouse is a great title for book 6 of this series. Next to Monkey, Tiger, Eagle, Crane, and Snake, it was small and lacking. While Mouse helped to carry the story along and maintain the style of the series, I constantly found myself hoping the story would turn back to the main characters. Because I really like the series, I'm giving Mouse a little grace and bumping it to a 4-star rating instead of the 3 I feel is more appropriate.
December 22, 2016
Mouse is a great book. It is about very sneaky boy who can fit through any space that his head can fit. After he gets caught on Tonglongs ship Tonglong hires him for missions. After he gets caught having realtions with the Cangzhen temple brothers he gets jail time. Their ship goes under attack and Shausho escapes.
October 7, 2009
This book is the 6th in the 5 Ancestors Series by Jeff Stone. I loved the first few books, but now it's seems to have gone on too long. If you love kung fu and martial arts, this is a series for you. Keep in mind that the quality slowly goes downhill.
March 8, 2011
In this one, the 7 year old boy's name is ShaoShu which means little mouse in cantonese and he's not a martial arts master like the Fu, Malao, Hok, Seh, Ying, and Long but he has an extrordinary ability to hid in incredibly small places and he is very flexible.
April 30, 2011
The smallest of all takes the biggest risks of allto save his newfound friends and closest family, it's hard to think that kids that age hwould attempt to sav the world even though it seems so unfair to them! A true story of honour and bravery, it's just awesome!
July 19, 2011
The book was very interesting because you barely meet this character last book and he already has a book to himself. He uses his small size, quick thinking and his ability to compress and expand to help the five warriors spy on Tonglong. Another great book by Jeff Stone!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2015
ShaoShu is a clever little protagonist. He navigates his very precarious position with remarkable wit and a feigned innocence that makes him very endearing to the reader. This may be my favorite so far in this series.
February 11, 2016
For those young readers who enjoy martial arts and a bit of fighting/warfare, this book is sure to please and possibly get them involved with the whole series. I may even venture into others of this series.
April 20, 2016
Giving ShaoShu a book was cute, and I liked spending more time with him, but I don't know... His story wasn't that interesting? He's a spy, and I like how dedicated he was to helping his friends and the emperor. But this book felt like a lot of nothing really happening.
April 18, 2023
I will admit that this series wasn't what I expected.
Its really a book series of a kung fu movie.
Or a book of an anime.
Enjoyable but there is that over the top
action violence as the elite warriors battle.
Its really a book series of a kung fu movie.
Or a book of an anime.
Enjoyable but there is that over the top
action violence as the elite warriors battle.
September 12, 2008
The series gets better with each book. I like how a bit more of the story is told with each book. I'm really enjoying them and can't wait to see what happens next!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews