Mouseheart

Sword-wielding rats, feline palace guards, and rebel mice fill this adventure with imagination and heart. Hopper, his daring sister, and timid brother are pet store mice. After nearly becoming reptile fodder, the siblings are separated, and Hopper lands in the scary subterranean world of New York City’s subway system. A streetwise rat named Zucker—who turns out to be prince of an empire called Atlantia—saves Hopper from getting clocked by a train. Mouse and rat team up and are soon entangled in a war between the Romanus (who Zucker’s father rules) and the rebellious, mysterious Mus. Hopper is an entertainingly unlikely hero, and Fiedler’s (Romeo’s Ex) villains are suitably nasty, though minor inconsistencies might bother some readers: sheltered Hopper is clueless and alarmed when he meets his first cricket yet has no trouble identifying swords and quickly masters the “metal monsters” of the subway. For those who love an underdog and some romping good battles, Fiedler thoroughly entertains. Art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. [em]Author’s agents: Susan Cohen, Writers House, and Madeleine Morel, 2M Communications. Illustrator’s agent: Shannon Associates. (May) [/em]