Mrs. Frisby, a widowed field mouse, is forced to take on a big adventure when her youngest son Timothy gets ill. Timothy's illness comes just before spring, and with spring comes moving day. Mrs. Frisby is forced to seek help, leading her to the all but ordinary Rats of NIMH. This fictional adventure is perfect for capturing the attention of any reader nine years of age or older. Although the story is written from the view of fictional farm animals the reader is pulled into the suspenseful plot and is easily drawn into the emotions of each character. Not only is the book enjoyable to read, it is good for the classroom teacher. It conveys lessons on qualities like friendship, bravery, and teamwork. These qualities let the book easily be integrated into the classroom. I recommend "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" to anyone who would enjoy a fun and rewarding text.

It's nearly time to move, before Mr Fitzgibbon owner of the garden comes with the plow and breaks up their homes. But Mrs. Frisby,a field mouse has a sick son who can't move! Mrs. Frisby is a widow, who used to be married to Jonathan Frisby who unexplainably dissapeared. She goes to the owl, who, at the mention of her name, tells her to go to the rats. She goes to find them friendly and int elligent. But their moving plan includes her. There's a feirce cat called Dragon who prowls around. She must put him asleep with a powder for the usual bearer, Mr. Ages, another field mouse, has a broken leg. But they warn her, it was in doing the same thing, her husband died.

Will she keep her nerve and do it? Or will she bungle the whole affair? To find out read this marvelous book, "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

This story has long been one of my favorites and deserves to be a (future) Classic. O'Brien introduces many serious issues into his fascinating yet charming tale about a fieldmouse mother who desperately needs help to save her family. When Farmer Fitzgibbon prepares to plow up his vegetable garden, it proves an annual Day of Judgment for all the creatures who forage therein. Mrs. Frisby's quiet determination to save her invalid child leads her on a perilous quest, during which her matnernal devotion and courage will be tested.

To willingly enter the home of an owl, to humbly approach the clannish rats in the rosebush, to expose herself to a hungry cat, this tiny fieldmouse proves equal to all demands upon her trembling heart--a true and worthy wife to the late Jonathan Frisby. Her husband has earned the respect of many creatures, including the owl and the secretive rats. She gradually discovers that she (and her children in particular) are much more than they seem.

Just who Are these rats who know so much, who possess so many human inventions, who can read and write, who have even acquired a sense of morality? Why are they called "mechanized" and consider themselves "civilized?" How and where does a private rat Society fit in with normal rats and normal humans--with all their foibles? Can timid Mrs. Frisby help them in their endeavor to find a peaceful and pro-social environment free of human interference? Then too, why should the rats bother about her problem, when their very existence is threatened? O'Brien reminds us of the dangers of genetic tampering, and points out the similarities between both rat and human species when it comes to issues like theft, power struggle, greed, and lust for fame, as well as self sacrifice, courage, faith and hope. This is a wonderful and highly-enjoyable read--not just for kids!