cover image The Mousehunter

The Mousehunter

Alex Milway, . . Little, Brown, $15.99 (422pp) ISBN 978-0-316-02454-9

In a world of pirates, spies and greedy mouse collectors, 12-year-old Emiline knows she must fiercely protect what's most important: her pet mouse, Portly; the assortment of mice she tends as mousekeeper; and her friend, Scratcher. Then Emiline gets caught in the middle of a dangerous feud between the most feared pirate on the Seventeen Seas and a wealthy, underhanded mouse collector. Suddenly, everything she holds dear is in danger. Before each chapter, debut author Milway amusingly introduces different species of mice (the Magnetical Mouse, a must for sailors, “has a bulletlike nose that always points due north”). Although some questions remain unanswered (Where are Emiline's parents? Why are mice the animals du jour?), they are easily disregarded as the adventure unfolds and Milway's colorful if unlikely heroes encounter sea serpent–like Graks, Howling Moon Mice and prized but forbidden Golden Mice. Emiline is feisty, clever and loyal, while the pirates she befriends are all bark and little bite. More adventures seem to await Emiline in future books, and readers, having gotten to know the hard-nosed, softhearted pirates and their unusual mice, will be glad. Final illus., also by Milway, not seen by PW. Ages 10–up. (Feb.)