The Stowaways
Published on 15. May 2014
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-1-927485-33-0 (ISBN)
Description
Unlike the other Weedle mice, The Stowaways love to go on adventures - even when it means getting close to humans! But when Rory and his Gran plan to rescue Grampa Stowaway, whom everyone else thinks is dead, the adventure may be far more dangerous than he has bargained for.
The Stowaways aren't like the other Weedle mice. They are inventive and curious, they go on adventures, and they are much too clever for their own good. In fact, everyone knows that Grampa Stowaway was killed in a trap on one of his adventures. So, who would want to associate with a family like that?
There's something else about the Stowaways. They keep secrets. Rory has made friends with a bird, their natural enemy; and his twin brother Morgan dreams of sailing away. But Gran has the biggest secret of all - and Rory has discovered what it is.
If Rory and Gran act on their suspicions, will they be heading for disaster? Or will it be the greatest Stowaway adventure of all?
The Stowaways aren't like the other Weedle mice. They are inventive and curious, they go on adventures, and they are much too clever for their own good. In fact, everyone knows that Grampa Stowaway was killed in a trap on one of his adventures. So, who would want to associate with a family like that?
There's something else about the Stowaways. They keep secrets. Rory has made friends with a bird, their natural enemy; and his twin brother Morgan dreams of sailing away. But Gran has the biggest secret of all - and Rory has discovered what it is.
If Rory and Gran act on their suspicions, will they be heading for disaster? Or will it be the greatest Stowaway adventure of all?
Reviews / Votes
Praise for The Stowaways2014 Monica Hughes Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy shortlist
2014 CLA Book of the Year for Children Award shortlist
2014 Ann Connor Brimer Award for Children's Literature shortlist
2013 OLA Best Bets honourable mention
2014 CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens Starred Selection
2013 Resource Links "The Year's Best" selection
"Themes of courage, family, friendship, and accepting differences permeate the story. Intermittent and well-placed black-and-white illustrations lend a vintage feel to the overall design of the book. A fine debut that deserves a place alongside Cynthia Voight's Young Fredle (Knopf) and Richard Peck's Secrets at Sea (Dial, both 2011)."-School Library Journal
"In her first novel, Marentette shows promise as a storyteller, creating distinctive characters, building tension, and grounding the fantasy with realistic settings and details...this appealing book will quickly find its audience, fans of mouse adventure tales from George Selden's The Cricket in Times Square (1960) to Robert C. O'Brien's Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (1971) to Kate DiCamillo's The Tale of Despereaux (2003)."-Booklist
"In the tradition of memorable mouse heroes, the Stowaways deliver page-turning, cliffhanging, heartwarming, first-rate adventure."-Kirkus Reviews
"Not since Stuart Little has the heart of a valiant mouse beat quite so fiercely as that of Rory Stowaway in Meghan Marentette's first novel, The Stowaways. It meets and exceeds all the expectations of a good mouse story, with a well-constructed and self-sufficient mouse world, a teeny-tiny hero set against impossible odds, and an adventure brimming with mystery that scampers from chapter to chapter."-The National Reading Campaign
"Marentette has created a lovely world that combines animals and fantasy with humans and reality in an original and lively story. Her writing style is elegant yet conversational."-Resource Links
"...charmingly illustrated by Dean Griffiths...exciting, interesting, and really good fun. I hesitate to compare it to The Wind in the Willows, but it is in the same league; so read and enjoy...Highly Recommended"-CM Magazine
"Like Arrietty of The Borrowers or Stuart Little, Rory Stowaway is a pocket-sized hero set against rather large odds...The Stowaways is an engaging story which would also be a wonderful read-aloud book for younger children at home or in the classroom. The book's endearing characters, exciting plot and the central themes of family and growing up would be fertile ground for classroom discussion."-Canadian Children's Book News
"Debut author Meghan Marentette has crafted a charming adventure tale with a plucky protagonist."-Atlantic Books Today
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Toronto
Canada
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Third Grade to Seventh Grade, Interest Age: From 8 to 12 years
Product notice
Reinforced binding
Laminated cover
With ribbon marker(s)
Illustrations
Line drawings, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 146 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
480 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-927485-33-0 (9781927485330)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
As a child, Meghan Marentette loved building miniature worlds for her toys. Later, as a costume designer for film and television, she was assigned to make tiny costumes for stop-motion animation puppets. It was during this job that Meghan conceived of the miniature world of The Stowaways, which was a finalist for the Ann Connor Brimer Award, the Monica Hughes Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy, and and the CLA Book of the Year for Children Award. Meghan lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Dean Griffiths is a popular picture book artist with more than 25 titles to his name. His many awards include the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Book Prize for Maggie Can't Wait, the Chocolate Lily Award for Ballerinas Don't Wear Glasses, and the Rainforest of Reading Award for Bad Pirate. Dean lives in Duncan, British Columbia, with his daughter.
Dean Griffiths is a popular picture book artist with more than 25 titles to his name. His many awards include the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Book Prize for Maggie Can't Wait, the Chocolate Lily Award for Ballerinas Don't Wear Glasses, and the Rainforest of Reading Award for Bad Pirate. Dean lives in Duncan, British Columbia, with his daughter.
Content
1 A Legend to Uphold
10 Forbidden Friends
18 Detention
29 Release
43 Eekum
56 Fables and Foes
68 The Frolic
80 A Secret Revealed
90 Decisions
104 Dividing Interests
119 Seekum
133 The Dormouse
145 The Mouse in the Machine
161 Awakenings
117 Home and Away
192 Bittersweet Reunions
211 Hurricane Glasfryn
228 Destination Unknown
10 Forbidden Friends
18 Detention
29 Release
43 Eekum
56 Fables and Foes
68 The Frolic
80 A Secret Revealed
90 Decisions
104 Dividing Interests
119 Seekum
133 The Dormouse
145 The Mouse in the Machine
161 Awakenings
117 Home and Away
192 Bittersweet Reunions
211 Hurricane Glasfryn
228 Destination Unknown