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Word of Mouse

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By DeeDee
 
Word of Mouse
By James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
Illustrated by Joe Sutphin
Little Brown and Company, 2016. Fiction. 284 p.
Isaiah is the smallest, and perhaps the most cowardly of all the mice at the "horrible place," a research laboratory. It is amazing, therefore, that when 97 genetically altered mice try to escape, Isaiah is the only one who is not caught.  Despite his bright blue color, he is accepted into a nearby mischief, or mouse family group, and discovers that his scientifically augmented abilities come in handy in the outside world.  He soon finds that he has become a leader among mice, but what he really wants is to find a way to free his family from the lab.  In the end it is not his agility, his intelligence, or even his ability to speak with humans, but his ability to look past differences with an open heart that is the key to his success.

Like other Patterson/Grabenstein collaborations this is a highly illustrated novel packed with action and fun.  Isaiah is plucky and resourceful and readers will cheer him on as he overcomes his fears to achieve his destiny. This is a great book for emergent and reluctant novel readers, or readers that are transitioning from comic books to books with a little more text.  It available from the library in print, on CD, and as an audio download.
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