A Boy Called M.O.U.S.E.

by Penny Dolan

'Once pon a time there was a boy, and they called him Mouse'. That is how the story began when I told it to myself in the long darkness. Of course, it wasn't the whole story, but back then I knew nothing, almost nothing at all ...Mouse is unaware of his privileged of Epton Towers, the luxurious home in which he was born, and its magnificent surrounding grounds. He barely recalls his loving parents, who are lost at sea. He certainly does not remember the threat posed by his Uncle Scrope, who, deeply in debt, is driven to threaten Mouse's very life. But Mouse does remember Hanny, the loyal and loving nursemaid who saw the threat and whisked him away to safety. Mouse lives a happy and carefree life with her until the evil Mr Button darkens their door, threatens Hanny and takes Mouse away. Mr Button takes Mouse to grim Murkstone Hall, a school that lives and breathes terror and fear. Can Mouse escape and find his way to his true family again? This is a brilliantly evoked tale full of memorable characters, including Nick Tick, the tiny but clever clockmaker, Aunt Indigo and Aunt Violet, two strong-minded seamstresses and washerwomen, and Charlie Punch and his amazing dog Toby. These warm-hearted and generous characters see the plight of Mouse and each in their own way help him towards his destiny. But will they be enough to upset the continual scheming of the villainous Mr Button?

Genres: Young Adult, Middle Grade, Historical, Childrens, Historical Fiction

462 pages, Paperback

First published October 4, 2010

Reviews

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very light, and easy read. Borderline middle grade (which is a plus for me seeing as I really like middle grade). Most of the book was entertaining, a lost prince archetype. But the end of the book was sort of a let down, or more over not something I feel tied up the book nicely - too open for my liking.
The main character was really well developed, almost the only character that was. But, seeing as he's the only constant character I can understand.
Good, not the greatest but definitely good.

[Tabitha French · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the book 2 or 3 years ago and I enjoyed it very much and I still miss when I used to read it everyday at school I love the plot and the characters and I still think about the characters still to this day one of my favourite characters has to be scrope though i do wish he had much harsher consequences but for the plot itself it's quiet stereotypical with the a boy or girl being lost and finding his wayback while facing challenges but it's diffrent in a way that I enjoy. I wish I could know what happens to mouse and the other characters years after the event of the book but obviously there wouldn't be any point

[Catherine Barnard-Rivero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just fantastic!! I loved every page and every character (and there were a lot!). Seriously such a fun and easy read, I genuinely cannot speak highly enough of this book. This will be a book I recommend to all of my Year 6s and will certainly buy for my own children in the future!

DEFINITELY an enjoyable read as an adult too! After a couple of disappointing reads this is just what I needed to pull me out of a slump!

[Bee Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

An alright book. While Mouse was at school, I found the story to be a bit boring. After he got to the city though, that was more interesting. I loved how the story was set in the early 1900's (or late 1800's, it could've been either). Also, whenever a chapter would be Mouse's perspective a drawing of a mouse would be on the first page of that chapter.

[Kelsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok book. For children who are fans of adventure stories set in Victorian England, it would be a good choice if they are wanting to stick within the genre, but I did feel that I had to persevere a bit to get through it. Kind of take on 'Kidnapped', with the twist of parents lost at sea. Creative plot, but didn't wow me.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book. I finished it in one day due to the suspense it had in the middle and the description it had at the beginning of the book. The way Penny has used the topic of heritage (when someone dies the next relative gets the money/buildings etc) is amazing.

[Siddhartha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book meant for young readers. The story was very interesting keeping me very much keen to read more and more. It was recommended my child after reading it as an interesting book to read and I enjoyed it too.

[Annemirthe Slikkerveer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story, a combination of Oliver twist and Annie but unique in it's own way.
It was easy to follow and something happend on every page.
Sometimes a bit confusing in which pov you were reading but it felt like flying;) through the book with all the short chapters, loved it!

[Rhys_BookDude · Rating 5 out of 5]

very interesting... not what you would excpect but VERY good! for readers over 9

[C.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved everything but the ending. I figured there would be more of confrontation.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fabulous. Told from multiple viewpoints, it is the story of a little boy known as Mouse growing up in the 19th century a large English country house. His parents go on a long sea voyage, and he is left with his grumpy old grandfather who isn't interested in him and his uncle Scrope, an unsuccessful gambler who is in debt to an unpleasant man called Button. Mouse's Nanny perceives that Mouse, as presumptive heir to his grandfather should his parents not return, is in danger from Scrope and runs away with him.

Mouse is happy in his new life, until his parents' ship sinks, and his uncle calls upon Button to find him a school, and he is sent to the horrible Murkstone Hall, a sort of cross between Gormenghast and Dickens' Dotheboys Hall. Here he leads a most unpleasant life, saved only by his friend Niddle and an inspiring teacher. However he finally can take no more, and runs away. After a long journey, partly accompanied by a Punch and Judy man, where his tumbling and climbing skills are developed, he ends up in an unnamed city, where he falls in with Kitty, Dora and Flora, dancers at a theatre, and Indigo and Violet, their aunts, who are costume makers and washer women, and eventually learns his true identity.

This is a beautifully written, gripping story. At over 450 pages it is long, but the chapters are short- some no more than 2 pages- and the multiple viewpoints grab the reader's attention. The characters that Mouse encounters are vividly depicted and are multifaceted, even when they may appear whimsical, such as Mr Nick Tick the watch maker. This would be a fantastic class novel for story time for Y5 or 6, and would work very well both for classes studying the Victorians or also to support any class work on narrative. Confident readers of 9+ will love it.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first this was like a Jane Eyre for kids. Mouse spent a lot of time in this horrible school/orphanage, but eventually went his own way, which ended up being quite the adventure. He lived on the streets, met up with a puppeteer and eventually found work at a theatre. However, there are other stories taking place at the same time. For Mouse came from a rich family, and many people are looking for him. Not all with good intentions...

I did not expect this book to be so good. It might be a children's book, but it is definitely fit for adults too. One of the reasons it so engaging for people of all ages, is that the plot isn't one-dimensional in the least. There is a lot going on, but all is intertwined and it definitely makes you wonder where the story is going. It's not one of those predictable tales, and it actually has a bit of an open ending too.

Also, it is beautifully written. Every once in a while I'd read a sentence that was just beautifully crafted or had such a nice metaphor! Any, I definitely recommend you give this book a try. And if you do, please stick with it until after Mouse has run away. The first part is quite long and dark, but you'll be rewarded if you continue reading. I promise!

[Miriam Kool · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eigenlijk 3.5 ster denk ik, maar dat kan hier niet helaas...! Een lekker kinderboek, prettig geschreven, met humor en een leuk verhaal, met veel plezier gelezen. Vond het ook leuk dat het einde niet zo standaard 'ouders weer gevonden en nu is iedereen gelukkig' is, maar dat Muis eigenlijk zijn plek in het leven al wel gevonden heeft en helemaal nog niet zo weet of hij wel terug wil naar dat leven dat hij nooit heeft gekend. Lijkt me een stuk realistischer dan hoe dat in de meeste verhalen gaat. Minpuntjes vond ik de soms wat plattere personages (bad guys zijn ook meteen een puur evil bijvoorbeeld), en het wat hoge alleen-op-we-wereld gehalte van het eerste deel van het boek. In haar geheel niet een topper, maar zeker wel een aanrader en een boek dat lekker wegleest (heerlijk voor in de trein).

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting read and a book I feel pretty sure I would have enjoyed as a ten-year-old myself (though it's always hard to be sure). Heady mix of Dickens (big wallops of Oliver Twist), a little Ghormengast (but providing the narrative drive that novel sorely lacks) and Nights at the Circus without surrealism. And clearly geared towards readers a little younger than those of the Potter books.

I read it in a superb Dutch translation, and Dutch readers might be interested in the translator's comments about the translation of the characters' names published online here.

[Ginni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical setting of 19C for this traditional adventure concerning a boy with hidden identity who is exiled from home and makes a journey to escape - but also find himself. With its settings of theatre in London and a boy's school there are echoes of Dickens, Barbara Ibbotson and maybe a touch of Leon Garfield. Good - for 8-12 year olds.

[Adinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Een boek waarvan ik niet zo goed weet wat ik ervan moet vinden. Enerzijds is het een mooie uitgave, met een vaardig geschreven en goed opgebouwd verhaal; anderzijds doet het me sterk aan andere boeken denken, zoals 'Alleen op de wereld'.

In ieder geval was het amusant om te lezen, al is Knoop een wel erg kwaadaardig en zwartwit personage.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great story! You will find yourself rooting for MOUSE right from the beginning. Lots of twists and turns. Yes, it is a kids book. Fans of Harry Potter will most likely enjoy this.

This book reminded me of being a kid and why I love to read!

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read. A few twists in the plot kept it going. An advanced 9 year old reader might really enjoy it. My rating is based on what I think the age group would give. For myself the enjoyment was in thinking what the young reader would possibly glean from the story.

[Skye Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot started quite slow however, as the story progressed it becomes more and more interesting. Flipping through the pages I have grew fascinated by the character personality. The style of writing is nice and the sequential events one after another was interesting.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super adventure story with the Oliver, David Copperfield feel of the times. Loved the theatre time and all those characters.

[*unregistered_animagus* · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I have read in a LONG time. An adventurous story about a young boy trying to find his long-lost mother and father.

[MissStan]

I just couldn't get into this. I think the start is a bit slow, I have heard that it gets really good but just couldn't get past chapter 1.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zeer leuk boek, erg afwisselend, soms droevig, soms heel vrolijk.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good childrens book, although it maybe a tad too tricky for my 7 yr old to read at present.

[Emma Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sumptuous bildungsroman of a tale. Exquisite writing and characterisation. LOVED.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping and a great ending. I'm not usually into fantasy but this was truly amazing. Well done Penny Dolan!

[Daný]

Neo-Victorian children’s book.