The Song of the Winns: The Secret of the Ginger Mice: The Gerander Trilogy

by Frances Watts, David Francis (Illustrator)

Overview

Alistair, Alex, and Alice have always been an inseparable (though not necessarily harmonious) triplet of mice -- that is until Alistair is kidnapped one summer's night. While Alistair tries to make heads or tails of falling from the sky onto another young ginger-colored mouse named Tibby Rose (a most unusual incident on all accounts), Alex and Alice set off to find their missing brother. But in a world where spies abound and an elusive underground organization called FIG is only heard about in shushed bits and pieces, figuring out whom to trust is no small task for this intrepid trio. The key to the mystery seems to be within their grasp, but it only hints at another hair-raising adventure and creates more questions that seemed destined to remain unanswered. Full of warm, clean humor and whippet-quick wit, Frances Watts' new trilogy will effortlessly charm readers and adventurers alike.

Chosen as a Children's Book Council of Australia Notable Book 2011

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780762445134
Publisher:	Running Press Book Publishers
Publication date:	04/24/2012
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Frances Watts is an Australian children's book author. She is the winner of the Children's Book Council of Australia's Eve Pownall Award for her book Parsley Rabbit's Book About Books. She lives in Sydney, Australia.

David Francis began his career as an exhibiting artist, and his works are held in many collections. He illustrated the Australian CBC Honor Book Ten Little Known Facts About Hippopotamuses and collaborated with author Margaret Wild to create the much-loved Morris the Reinbear. He lives in Sydney, Australia.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 3–6—In this suspenseful and thought-provoking tale, Alex and Alice, two orphaned mice, set off on a journey to find their brother, Alistair, who has vanished in the night. His disappearance may have to do with the fact that he's ginger-colored-an unusual (and sometimes persecuted) trait among mice. Since the story alternates perspectives (one chapter focusing on Alex and Alice, the next focusing on Alistair), readers are able to follow the siblings on their journeys. Along the way, all three mice uncover secrets about their family, particularly their deceased parents. They also learn of the struggle among the countries of Souris, Shetlock, and Gerander, and how this conflict may relate to the prejudice against ginger-colored mice. Narrow escapes and plot twists abound, with almost every chapter ending in a nail-biting cliff-hanger. The suspenseful tone and accessible, polished writing will doubtless keep readers turning the pages. The conclusion is thoroughly satisfying, yet it is clear that many more obstacles face these mice before their story truly comes to an end. Fans of Brian Jacques's "Redwall" series (Philomel) as well as action and adventure aficionados will devour this book and eagerly await the next installment in the series.—Amy Holland, Irondequoit Public Library, NY

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