'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 background: 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?
A Boy Called MOUSE
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Review
`A Dickensian tale where the evil of the villains is only equalled in volume by the generosity of the various benefactors young Mouse meets after running away from an appalling 19th-century boarding school. His final refuge, a crumbling London theatre, is vividly brought to life in a narrative that never flags'
--Independent
`Penny Dolan unfolds a story that will have her audience captivated from the intriguing cast list that precedes Chapter One to the bittersweet epilogue. With an exciting and endearing hero, a gleefully wicked villain, and every shade of humanity in between (plus fairy horses), this is a true page-turner - clearly influenced by the timeless storytelling of Charles Dickens and Charlotte Bronte, but still very much an original in its own right'
--Primary Times
`An atmospheric story full of well rounded characters and more than a few shocks. The vivid narrative takes you right back to the time when exciting inventions were beginning to change people's lives'
--Primary Times
`A unique and extraordinary book; an old fashioned Dickensian story presented in a very comprehensive, hugely entertaining and delightful way, it will keep the readers hooked until the last page'
--The School Librarian
`A beautiful and heart-warming story, full of wonderful characters who will make the reader fall in love with them - or shake with fear'
--The School Librarian
--Independent
`Penny Dolan unfolds a story that will have her audience captivated from the intriguing cast list that precedes Chapter One to the bittersweet epilogue. With an exciting and endearing hero, a gleefully wicked villain, and every shade of humanity in between (plus fairy horses), this is a true page-turner - clearly influenced by the timeless storytelling of Charles Dickens and Charlotte Bronte, but still very much an original in its own right'
--Primary Times
`An atmospheric story full of well rounded characters and more than a few shocks. The vivid narrative takes you right back to the time when exciting inventions were beginning to change people's lives'
--Primary Times
`A unique and extraordinary book; an old fashioned Dickensian story presented in a very comprehensive, hugely entertaining and delightful way, it will keep the readers hooked until the last page'
--The School Librarian
`A beautiful and heart-warming story, full of wonderful characters who will make the reader fall in love with them - or shake with fear'
--The School Librarian
Book Description
An evocative and thrilling tale, set in a richly colourful Dickensian world. With stunning inside illustrations by Peter Bailey
--This text refers to the
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edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The first thing to say about this novel is that it's a very good read. From the first page, where a small boy called Mouse narrowly escapes being pushed out of a fourth floor window by his beastly Uncle Scrope, we are caught up in the adventures of our hero as he weaves his way between the obstacles and enemies that life puts in his way. We are in Dickensian territory here: the book's set in the nineteenth century, the characters have wonderful names like Niddle and Pyeberry ("A pair of cheering chums"), Mr Bulloughby (a headmaster who certainly wouldn't get a very good Ofsted report), and Nick Tick ("A minute but clever clockmaker"); and Mouse, like Oliver and David Copperfield, has many vicissitudes to overcome before he can come into his own.
Unlike Dickens' novels, though, this book is for children. The writing is beautiful, but it serves the purpose of the story, and everything moves along at a good lick. The chracters are colourful and vivid, and, as with Dickens, each has a poweful backstory of his or her own. This, together with the clever plotting and the lightly worn research, make for a richly extured, very satisfying novel.
Unlike Dickens' novels, though, this book is for children. The writing is beautiful, but it serves the purpose of the story, and everything moves along at a good lick. The chracters are colourful and vivid, and, as with Dickens, each has a poweful backstory of his or her own. This, together with the clever plotting and the lightly worn research, make for a richly extured, very satisfying novel.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By H.P.
Format:Hardcover
A perfect gift for the avid 8-11 year old who likes traditional tales well told. Engaging and enjoyable throughout, this story of A Boy Called MOUSE can be compared to David Copperfield and Oliver Twist as the previous reviewer mentions but it is far more pacy and child centred.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Parents in Touch
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
As soon as I had read the first page of this story, I was drawn into the life of Mouse. Why did his nurserymaid, Hanny, think he was in danger from Uncle Scrope? Hanny takes Mouse to safety and he loves his new life but he can't escape the evil clutches of Mr Button. He is taken away to a Dickensian boarding school - but why does he find himself in the kitchen? This gripping story takes you into a world of kidnapping, theatre, shipwreck and lots more adventures. the characters, evil villains and faithful friends, will stay in your mind long after you finish reading this wonderfully evocative story.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
a fab book!!
I bought this book on a whim as the story sounded good. This is in fact one of the best books i've read, i loved the characters and the whole storyline was engaging. Read more
Published 6 months ago by book worm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
M.O.U.S.E. is an excellent, funny, enchanting and magical book.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes long adventure stories and is over 8. Read more
I would recommend it to anyone who likes long adventure stories and is over 8. Read more
Published 14 months ago by J.R.
5.0 out of 5 stars
enchanting
I was enchanted by this book. It has all the elements of picaresque adventure and just deserts that make Dickens so satisfying, but it went deeper. Read more
Published 18 months ago by lettrice
5.0 out of 5 stars
Charming and satisfying
At first I thought this book was just an old-fashioned throwback kind of tale but it's much more than that. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Ping
4.0 out of 5 stars
thoroughly enjoyable.
After seeing the recommendations here I got this book from the library thinking my 8 yr old would enjoy reading it. Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2010 by Bulbeck Family
4.0 out of 5 stars
A lot of the classics involved
When an author writes a tale based on a visit to an old Boarding School you have to hope that the rest of the tale will back up the premise of the original scene without changing... Read more
Published on 23 Sep 2010 by Gareth Wilson - Falcata Times Blog
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