The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail
 | |
| Author | Richard Peck |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Kelly Murphy |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's |
| Publisher | Dial |
Publication date | 2013 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 256 |
| ISBN | 978-0142425305 |
| Preceded by | Secrets at Sea |
The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail is a 2013 children's novel written by Richard Peck and illustrated Kelly Murphy.[1] The book is set in the same universe as Secrets at Sea.[2] The novel is suitable as reading for grades four through six.[3]
Set in Victorian England, the story features a mouse who tries to discover his origins by asking Queen Victoria.[4]
Plot
[edit]A mouse in London in search of information about his identity ends up at Windsor Castle.
Characters
[edit]- Mouse Minor/Prince Ludovic - The protagonist, a white mouse who was born in London England. He lives in the Royal Mews next door to Buckingham Palace.
- Yeomice - The Captain of the Guard of Mouse Minor's father.
- Aunt Marigold – Mouse Minor's aunt.
- The Mouse Queen – The Queen of the mice of the United Kingdom. She is Mouse Minor's grandmother.
- Queen Victoria - The human Queen of the United Kingdom. In the book, she is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee.
- Fitzherbert and Trevor - They are the bullies of mouse minor. Fitzherbert is the son of the Mouse Permanent Superintendent of the Mews, while Trevor is the son of the Mouse Controller of Stores.
- Ian
- Prince Bruno Havarti
- Princess Ena – The Queen's granddaughter.
- Prince Albert
- B. Chiroptera
- Queen Ann
- Pegasus
- The Bat Chancellor
- The Mouse Princess – (Uncredited) The Mouse queen's daughter. She is the wife of the Captain of the Guard. She gives birth to Mouse Minor, but dies shortly afterwards.
Reception
[edit]Critical reception for The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail was positive.[1][2] Commonsensemedia rated the book highly, stating that "In-jokes and historical tidbits will delight older kids and give reading-aloud adults the giggles."[5]
Awards
[edit]Best of lists
[edit]- 2014 3x3 Magazine Annual No.11 3x3 Picture Book Show (Honorable Mention) People Magazine
- 2013 Notable Children's Books, The New York Times
- 2013 Best Books for Children Kirkus Reviews
- 2013 Ten Best Books for Children, People Magazine
Starred reviews
[edit]- 2013 Starred Review, School Library Journal
- 2013 Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
- 2013 Starred Review, Booklist
Illustration competitions
[edit]- 2014 The Illustrators 56 Travel Show
- 2013 Society of Illustrators 56th Annual Competition (Book Category)
- 2013 Original Art, Society of Illustrators
- 2013 Gold Medal (Children's Market Category), Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles
References
[edit]- ^ a b Sorensen, Marilou (6 July 2013). "Book review: 'Mouse with the Question Mark Tail' is a must for reading aloud". Deseret News. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015.
- ^ a b Scattergood, Augusta (2 August 2013). "The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail". The Christian Science Monitor. Archived from the original on 14 June 2015.
- ^ Knight, Elaine (22 July 2013). "Pick of the Day: The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on 15 June 2015.
- ^ Compton, Amelia. "The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail (review)". TIME for Kids. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
- ^ "The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail (review)". Commonsensemedia. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
