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Monday, January 11, 2010

Newbery Book Review: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH


Title: Mrs. Frisby and The Rats of NIMH - Hardcover Title
Title: The Secret of NIMH - Paperback Title
Author: Robert C. O'Brien

Ever since last summer, Mrs Frisby has been worried about Timothy, her younger son. Timothy has had pneumonia--he almost died--and now he is too frail and weak to be moved. But if the Frisbys don't move immediately, they'll all be killed!

Mrs Frisby is frantic. Then she hears about the wonderful Rats of NIMH--rats who are strong, smart, able to do almost anything. They've escaped from the lab at NIMH. They can save the Frisbys. But will they?


This movie is one of my all time favorites. In researching books to read for my Newbery Winners Challenge I came across Mrs. Frisby and at first thought it was a different story. I guess when the movie The Secret of NIMH came out, the book came out in paperback under the same name. Confusing :)

I have to say, I loved this book as much as I love the movie. It's magical. Full of adventure and myth. The Rats are ingenuous creatures and everything they accomplished I could believe actually happened. Mrs. Frisby and her mice children are so lovable. Actually, it was pretty easy to fall in love with every character.

If you have seen the movie but never read the book, here are a few differences:
  • Nicodemus isn't old and ancient in the book. He's about the same age as Justin
  • There is no scary battle at the end between the 'good' rats and the 'bad' ones in the book
  • A rat dies at the end of the book but we don't know who it is!
  • The book isn't nearly as scary as the movie is!
I'm so glad I found an old copy of this one - with the movie cover :)   
Other Books by the Author:
A Report from Group 17 (1972)
The Silver Crown (1973)
Z for Zachariah (1974)

4 comments:

  1. Ahhh congrats on finding a cool copy. I love when that happens :)

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  2. That is definitely an excellent looking copy!

    I really liked the movie when I saw it, was a bit scared, yes, but I think a lot of those 80s children films are kind of scary.

    Excellent review, I will have to check this one out!

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  3. I loved The Secret of NIMH as a child even though it scared me. I have been dying to rewatch it, but think it might still scare me ;) Will have to look into this book. Thanks for the excellent review!

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  4. I love this book, and I am still dying to know which rat died at the end!

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