Cynthia Voigt crafts a novel about discovery, perspective, and the meaning of home—all through the eyes of an affable and worried little mouse. Fredle is an earnest young fellow suddenly cast out of his cozy home behind the kitchen cabinets—into the outside. It's a new world of color and texture and grass and sky. But with all that comes snakes and rain and lawnmowers and raccoons and a different sort of mouse (field mice, they're called) not entirely trustworthy. Do the dangers outweigh the thrill of discovery? Fredle's quest to get back inside soon becomes a wild adventure of predators and allies, of color and sound, of discovery and nostalgia. And, as Fredle himself will come to understand, of freedom.
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"Filled with emotional honesty, engaging characters, and an elegant balance of direct, action-oriented language and lyrical description. Sorry I didn't read it sooner - would have liked to discuss it at last year's Mock Newbery. Would make a fine honor book, I say."
— Rachael (4 out of 5 stars)
Move over, Stuart Little.
— Kirkus (starred review)The adventure is gripping . . . this is a writer at the top of her form, warm without sentimentality, wise without pretension.
— The Horn Book (starred review)Compelling . . . readers will identify with the universal conflict at the heart of Fredle's journey—even as he longs for home, he enjoys the newfound freedom.
— Publishers Weekly" Young Fredle the mouse learns that asking questions about tradition can lead to danger, and freedom, and a better life full of adventure and family. Gr. 3-5. "
— Shawn, 2/5/2014" not that great it was pointless "
— Katie, 1/13/2014" Book was ok but a little below my interest level. It is written for children but Voigt has some great classics so I thought I'd check it out. Again, it is ok but the message is a little in your face and the outcomes fairly predictable. "
— Lisa, 1/11/2014" Though this is a children's book, it's a beautiful illustration of how people and cultures can change if we make the effort to understand each other. "
— lynsimarie, 1/3/2014" Gentle read. A young sheltered house mouse gets sick from eating chocolate, and gets taken outside. Readalikes: Nurk by Ursula Vernon and Mrs. Frisby and the rats of NIMH by Robert O'Brien "
— Kathyred, 1/1/2014" I have a soft spot for mice (in children's books more so than in my kitchen) and this one dis not disappoint. I'll take Young Fredle over Stuart Little any day. he has a great heart and can make a friend of almost anyone. "
— P, 12/9/2013" Cute. Fredle is a kitchen mouse who is always asking questions. When his curiosity gets the better of him, he finds himself learning all kinds of things about the world, making new friends and discovering his own adventuresome spirit. "
— Heather, 12/2/2013" Cute story, clean and good for a family listen. "
— Peep, 11/27/2013" Enjoyed reading with Audrey....close to 200 pgs, so we are counting it! My little 6 year old also just read the first Harry Potter in three days! Oh my....I'll try to keep up. "
— Stephanie, 10/16/2013" if you liked the tale of despareaux, you have to read this! "
— Alana, 5/8/2013" Charming characters, and I doubt I will ever be able to think of mice as pests again! Enjoyed the audio book -- great voices pulled me into the story even more. "
— Anne, 1/27/2012" A fine addition to the genre of mouse stories for children. "
— Lina, 9/18/2011" Hmmmm. Voigt writes a ho-hum story about a country mouse and a city mouse. Fredle is cute and a free thinker when he has to be, but the writing is not strong and the plot is thin. A better book by far is Tale of Despereaux, if one is looking for strong young mice. "
— Wanda, 8/25/2011" one of my favorite books ever that I've read to Leo... finished it last night and we are both ready to start it all over again! "
— Sophie, 3/31/2011" If you like stories of the lives of mice and other animals, this is a good one. Sort of a "country mouse, city mouse" idea, but beyond that - think "kitchen mouse, cellar mouse, field mouse" instead. The kids loved it! "
— Michelle, 12/28/2010Cynthia Voigt is the acclaimed author of many books, including Dicey’s Song, winner of the Newbery Medal; A Solitary Blue, winner of a Newbery Honor; and Homecoming. For the body of her work, Cynthia Voigt was honored with the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Outstanding Literature for Young Adults. She lives with her husband in Maine.