Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH Book Review
By Swecha Agarwal
Have you ever been scared for a loved one? Have you ever been forced to the point where you had to take drastic measures to save them? Or are you just looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and your heartbeat beating fast?
If you fall into any of those categories, then Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, by Robert O’Brien, is the right book for you.
Mrs. Frisby is a mouse who lives in the fields of a farm. She is a mom and a widow, and she has four kids-Timothy, Cecilia, Teresa, and Martin. Every winter they stay in the fields, where their real home is, but when it comes time to harvest the plants in the summer, the family can’t risk being discovered by the family who owns the farm. They have to move to a summer home in the meantime. The quandary is that Timothy, the frailest and weakest of the family, becomes delirious with fever, a mere couple of days before they have to move. Timothy has to stay warm and cannot go outside, even in warm weather. This reveals two bad choices- one, to stay back and risk being discovered, or two, to hope for a miracle and risk the journey to their summer home.
I think this makes for a really interesting and thought- provoking read. It includes so many different elements and so many different themes. There’s a lot to think about and a lot to feel if you get what I mean. A brilliant plot goes hand in hand with vivid details, making an excellent story. And the imagination is really spectacular, rather like J.K. Rowling. The author transports the reader into a world unlike our own and succeeds in making it understandable and interesting.
My favorite character in this book is Mrs. Frisby. She is an example of a responsible, loving, and awesome parent. She risks her life for her children and makes it clear that she wants nothing more than the well-being of her children, and she will go to any lengths or distances to achieve that. Everything in the book revolves around her, and I think that’s because she’s the one who thinks of everything, who takes everything apart and analyzes the pieces. She was a well-placed character in the plot and I think she makes all the difference.
I believe this would catch the interest of kids ages nine to twelve. It highlights the importance of not losing hope and having parents who truly love you. This is a book that is definitely worthy of sitting in your bookshelf.
