Climbing the WQ Scale

Jul 22, '06 8:20 AM
for everyone

Category:	Books
Genre:	Childrens Books
Author:	Robert C. O'Brien

I chose this book for three reasons:
1. I love mouse-literature
2. the cover said "Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of NIMH!"
3. the cover is so pretty! (check the Aladdin version)

The story is about the mouse widow Mrs. Frisby and her quest to save her youngest son from death. With the help of a white mouse, a crow, and the rats of NIMH, Mrs. Frisby saves her boy, and in the process she learns about these extraordinary rats and the extraordinary mouse who was her husband.

The moment i started reading, I fell in love with it. Mr. O'Brien's style of writing never goes out of fashion. It's crisp, and fast paced enough for kids with short attention spans (that's me), yet lyrical enough for older readers to enjoy the prose (that's also me). The world of talking animals has always been fascinating to me, but the animals here are extra special. I have never come across such a noble breed of animals! These rats could teach humans a thing or two -- about compassion, rising above difficult situations, and love for family. But it's never preachy, and kids will pick up lessons on how to be good without even knowing they're being taught. This one's definitely a keeper!

cover by Zena Bernstein

Next: The Fire Within

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6 Comments

fronc wrote on Jul 22, '06

Have you see the cartoon adaptation, "The Secret of NIMH" ? I practically lived off that Betamax tape for the better part of my toddler years. The only difference between the source material and the film is that they changed Mrs. Frisby to Mrs. Brisby (maybe to avoid any allusions to a flying disc), but otherwise, Nicodemus, Justin, Jeremy the Crow, and Mr. Ages are all there!
I never really knew too many outside my family who knew this story of NIMH... cool!

ineztogle wrote on Jul 23, '06

I'm still looking for a copy :( There are some other differences also... like the jewel that was given to Mrs. Brisby wasn't in the book, and Martin the mouse isn't so smart-alecky in the book also. And according to wikipedia, yeah, they changed Frisby to Brisby so as to avoid any trademark problems :D

Have you read Flowers for Algernon? It's about a mouse and a man made smarter... sort of like NIMH but I think NIMH came first... :)

fronc wrote on Jul 24, '06

ineztogle said

Have you read Flowers for Algernon?

I freakin' love that short story!!! I've been looking for that story for years!!!
Do you have a copy? Please find me a copy! Please! Please!

ineztogle wrote on Jul 25, '06

I have the novel lying around the house somewhere. I'll try to look for it :) Weird... don't know anyone else who's read it, except my classmates cuz we were required. Hehe :)

exbalakatoomba wrote on Jul 26, '06

So far, this is my favorite review that you've made. I really enjoy reading your reviews!!!!!!!! They make me want to pick up your books and read the day away...

vanjhnn wrote on Jan 16

it's been a long time since i read that book, and I still love it.

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Climbing the WQ Scale