This book had me thinking about some of my favorite books and movies from my childhood including Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, The Tale of Desperaux, and Redwall! While these other titles came to mind, Clarice the Brave feels totally appropriate and relevant for the current generation of young readers! An adventure story full of heart and charm, I know Clarice will resonate with young audiences.

This is an animal adventure that follows a young mouse who is mourning the death of her mother, and learning to survive and protect her brother Charles as they navigate life on a ship. Clarice and Charles are separated when a mutiny on the ship forces Clarice onto a leaky boat with the cat who killed her mother. If Charles and Clarice are to be rejoined, they must risk bravery, and must overcome their training of being careful, if they stand any hope to be reconnected.

This was such a fantastic read! I can't wait to add it to my order list for next school year, and recommend it to several students.

What a fun adventure this is! Clarice is a ship mouse. Her mother and sister died ship mice, and she and her brother Sebastien are left in their crate hiding. Unexpected events cause them to test their bravery. Middle grade readers will love this one!

Clarice the Brave by Lisa McMann, illustrated by Antonio Caparo; G.P. Putnam's Books for Young Readers, 272 pages ($17.99) Ages 8 to 12.

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Mice siblings find unlikely allies and learn to face their fears in "Clarice the Brave," an entertaining animal adventure on the high seas by the author of "The Unwanteds."

Their mother was swept overboard by a giant wave, their sister devoured by a shipboard cat named Special Lady. Clarice and her brother Charles Sebastian have only each other when a mutiny aboard the ship separates them. Clarice ends up on a lifeboat with the mutineers – and the murderous cat, Special Lady – facing dehydration and hunger. Charles Sebastian, left aboard the ship and facing danger from cats, humans and chickens, takes shelter in the cage where a young girl is confined.

Along with memorable animal characters, McCann offers a vivid picture of shipboard life, from a mouse's perspective. She writes with lyric grace: "Mutiny... Sailors whispered it on the mess desk ... They muttered it like an oath late at night after an extra dram of grog. They sent it, quiet, like a prayer, through the ripe silence between slaps of the whip or thuds to the ribs from a thick boot." Caparo's illustrations are marvelous.

This survival adventure story is told from the perspective of a young mouse who has been separated from her brother when a mutiny of the crew on their ship splits them into two different boats. Unlikely friendships, self-realizations, and a deep appreciation of family and friends are major themes in this sweet story. I found it slow at first but I got hooked as the friendship between Clarice and Special Lady developed. Great for fans of Katherine Applegate books like Endling and The One and Only Ivan.

Clarice the Brave is an adventure told from two points of view. Clarice, whose narrative takes up about two-thirds of the book, is told in first person. This gives readers a true sense of her personality, as well as her strengths and weaknesses. Charles Sebastian’s story unfolds through a third person narrative, allowing readers to see beyond his thoughts and observations. It’s an interesting approach that seems to support the characters’ natures and helps separate the action.

Though Lisa McMann’s characters and their relationships are well-drawn, I never really connected with them. Clarice’s repetitive ruminations really slowed down the narrative, making me feel as though I was pushing through rather than savoring the novel.

Of course, this is all subjective. I recommend checking the book out from the library or reading a sample excerpt prior to purchasing to ascertain whether it’s a good fit.

Though readers will be drawn to this adorable cover, I think they'll be surprised by how much adventure is packed inside!