Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nimh

Robert O'Brien (author)

Pearson Education, UK: 1975; 192pp

ISBN: 9780435121976

Genres: adventure, animal stories, fantasy

Issues: environment, friendship, identity

Newberry Award Winner.

Mrs Frisby has to move her family of mice before the farmer ploughs the field and destroys her home. Unfortunately her youngest son is ill and if she tries the journey too soon he may not survive.

On the other hand, it is certain that none of them will survive the ploughing. Desperate, Mrs Frisby seeks the advice of the super-intelligent rats that live under the old rosebush. She has seen them doing unusual and - for rats - amazing things around the farmyard. It is only when she ventures into their home that she begins to truly understand their astonishing history, the even more incredible vision they have for their own future and why they regard her dead husband as a hero.

This enthralling narrative is often studied in Year 6 at primary school, but is a great read for older readers as well. Talking animals can often be irritating, but Mrs Frisby and the Rats are convincing in their voices as well as in their animal natures.

 Highly recommended.