Editorial Review

There's something very strange about the rats living under the rosebush at the Fitzgibbon farm. But Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with a sick child, is in dire straits and must turn to these exceptional creatures for assistance. Soon she finds herself flying on the back of a crow, slipping sleeping powder into a ferocious cat's dinner dish, and helping 108 brilliant, laboratory-enhanced rats escape to a utopian civilization of their own design, no longer to live "on the edge of somebody else's, like fleas on a dog's back."Read more

Reviews (237)

The Must Read of the Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I myself have not finshed the book yet, but I intend to ASAP.
The Must Read of the Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I myself have not finshed the book yet, but I intend to ASAP.
Great first novel
I read this as a kid sometime before the movie was made of it.It was the first novel I had ever read through, and I was so captivated by it that I read it all at once, it keeping me up until dawn.It is very intellectually engaging, I think, as a novel for young readers.The whole story of the rats becoming smart is thought through and developed in the way of good science fiction.And the characters handle their problems in realistic ways, with the practical consequences of courage, cowardice, etc. playing out. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Animals - MiceHamstersGuinea Pigsetc.    4. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    6. Children: Grades 4-6    7. Classics    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Mice    11. Rats    12. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    13. Animal stories    14. Fantasy    15. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure    16. Rabbits & rodents    17. Science fiction   

Reviews (159)

Good Sci-Fi Read..........not my favorite type
I liked this book because it kept me on the edge of my seat. I was always excited when I picked up the book. The main character, Ann Burden, was very smart in all her actions. I liked the fact that the book had some information that made you think a little more than you normally would about life. I liked that it was in diary format because it made it easier to understand where she was coming from. I thought that there could have been a better ending to this book because the end left you wondering what happened to her. Normally I never go near the sci-fi section of the library. Now this book showed me what sci-fi is about, but it is still not my favorite category.

WOW
Ok i thought thisstory was really stupid but it pulls u into its pages and makes u want to read more. i had to read this for a school project and i love reading but these kind of stories dont interest me,but once i got into it i loved it and now i want to read it again. i so wish there was a sequel. im going to purchase this book so i can read it over and over.

An okay read, but not much more
Ann Burden is living in her family's valley convince that she is the only person left in the world after a nuclear war.Then one day John Loomis, a scientist in an anti-radiation suit. At first Ann is happy to have someone with her. But soon Ann realize that there more to Loomis than meets the eye.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    4. Science fiction    5. Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories   

Reviews (97)

Well written but occasionally dated
The book begins with Ellen receiving a silver crown in the mail on her birthday.The next thing she knows, her house has burned down, her family is missing and people are willing to engage in mayhem and murder to find her. Ellen decides she needs to visit an aunt and sets out on foot to find her.She eventually meets up with a somewhat mysterious young boy and they attempt to solve the mystery of the crown and get Ellen to safety.This book was written in 1969 and at times it really shows.For example, that Ellen wears pants briefly and gets messy is considered striking within the book.However, in the end the book is driven by Ellen's determination and will.

An excalent story, a worthy addition to any fantasy lover's collection
This is a very wonderful book, a well woven fantasy. Ellen woke up on her tenth birthday and found a silver crown on her pillow. She went out early to the park to play queen, and returned only to find her house burned down. She then decided to hitchhike to Kentucky to see her aunt. She hopped in a car with a guy, and found out that he was a murderer, and then she ran away into the mountains. I really couldn't say more without giving away some of the best surprises, but I will say that there is a black castle in which lives an evil man who is trying to take over the world.
A Fantastic Dark Fantasy Story
I first this book when I was about 12, and it remains on my shelf to this day (I'm now 35.)I highly recommend it for kids who enjoy fantasy books.Yes, it's dark and has genuinely creepy moments in it--but I see no reason that should discourage young readers or their parents, as it's an extremely engaging tale of a little girl battling the forces of evil.Resourceful girl characters are in short supply in children's fantasy literature, so this shouldn't be passed over.
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Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Fantasy    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Fantasy    7. Fantasy fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    10. Juvenile Fiction / Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic   

Reviews (33)

Age my behind!
I read this book when i was in middle school. We read it in 8th grade, and mind you that was about 9 years ago i can still rememeber the story pretty well. As a child i hated reading books in school, i found almost every one of them boring and below my reading level. Then when i read this book i found myself very entagled in the story line, i was always chapters ahead of the class and finished the book only days into it. Granted i havnet read this in years, i am actually contemplating its purchase as of now. I loved this book just about as much as anyone can really love a book. I found myself looking up a few words here and there, but im sure it was nothing too difficult. As for the story, its a very deep story that takes you through many charichters and to many places. The story doesnt keep you couped up in one area for long, the are journeys to be had and new places to explore. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read. It might not be the most advanced book, but the story is Very solid. I also recommend the movie that followed, it has some of the best animation from the 80s i have seen. Though its short and leaves alot out of the story, its still an interesting rendition of the book, though very limited in its content.

Mice and Rats
"The Secret of Nimh" is an exciting fantasy that pulls you in.This book is full of twists and turns.Everything is so clear you'll feel like you're really, there- watching everything that happens.As you get farther, and farther into the book you get more and more attached. Just about perfect
This is a children's book, but adults will enjoy giving it a read now and then. I. It is not a book about magic, but it has magical and somewhat mystical elements woven into it, seamlessly blending with a believable reality. It is good writing, plain and simple, and while the story is anything but plain and simple, it is easy to follow. The complexity is useful in furthering the story and only adds to the suspense, believability and exciting pace of the tale. Even younger children, say, 8 or 9 year-olds, will stay glued to this book like I did some 15 years ago. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    3. Fiction    4. General    5. Mice    6. Rats   

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children's stories, American    4. Children's stories, Spanish    5. Fiction    6. General    7. Mice    8. Spanish: Grades 4-7    9. Translations from English    10. Translations into Spanish   

Features

• Unabridged

Reviews (2)

One very good book for lit circle! ZS
My name is Nicodemus and I am going to tell you about some adventures of mine.My first adventure was building a tunel underground,learning how to read,having running water,motors to run things,also mechanics to fix things.When I was done with that I went on an adventure to put powder in the dragons bowl to help a mouse save her children.By doing that, I with help, moved her house to the Lee of Stone so that she would be safe from the plow.The mouses' name is Mrs.Frisby and the husband was my friend Jonathan the one the dragon ate.The last adventure I had was going to the market place with a few friends and stuffing our selves with food until lights shinned down on us and people talking saying theres one.Then we got caught and put into cage sand taken away to a big building.Once we got there we were put into different cages on a shelf.After staying there for a while we escaped through a airshaft.So these are some of my adventures that I went through that I just told you.

A GREAT AND ADVENTURES BOOK TO READ! J.A.V
I read this book with my dad.The story in this book is about a tiny mouse named Mrs. Frisby that saved her family. One of her children is sick and they have to move realy fast because the tractor is comming to harvest in 5 days.She had a lot of adventures before she meets the rats.
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Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. English literature: fiction texts    3. For National Curriculum Key Stage 4 & GCSE    4. Science fiction   

Reviews (20)

Does not live up to the original novel
"Racso and the Rats of NIMH" stands on its own as an average children's book. Despite a predictable and generic plotline, it has some cute and funny moments. Plus, I think younger readers can sympathize and identify with the lead character, Racso, and his troubles adjusting to life all on his own in a new home and new school.
NIHM Continued
This sequel to "Mrs Frisby and the rats of NIHM" does not have the brilliance of the original novel, however it is enjoyable and quite touching. The novel's primary character is Mrs Frisby's son, Timothy, and focusses on the Rats in their new home and new society. A good sequel.

Very enjoyable story and characters
I found Rasco to be a very enjoyable character. He didn't start off on the right foot, and had a problem with pride and wanting to do things his own way, but he had a good heart and really wanted to fit in. His character developed from his experience at the rats' school and his participation in handling the crisis they all faced. It was a very good sequel to Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Babies & Toddlers    3. Fiction    4. General    5. Mice    6. Rats   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)   

Reviews (1)

PS Longer, Letter Later
This was a good book because it could happen. This book makeyou sad and happy during diferent times.I think everyone I know shouldread this book 9 times, that is how much I liked the book.It should really get 9 stars! END ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - MiceHamstersGuinea Pigsetc.    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Juvenile Fiction    4. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic   

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    2. General