Life has been hard for Mrs. Frisby since her husband died leaving her with four mice children to raise on her own. When her youngest son becomes dangerously ill and the family home needs to be moved to avoid the farmer’s spring plow, she turns to the other animals for help. Advised to ask the rats that live under the rose bush for assistance, Mrs. Frisby is hesitant – they have always kept to themselves and all the creatures in the farmyard think them an odd lot. But none of the tales she has heard prepares her for the stories of their bizarre past and daring dreams for the future. Together they embark upon an incredible adventure proving that even the most unlikely friendships can reap the most precious reward – a lasting bond of devotion and a commitment to protect one another.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH was read by Paul Molnar.
Paul has been acting for over 10 years. Past credits include work with the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, New American Theatre, Vermont Stage Company, The Michigan Shakespeare Festival and 12 Miles West Theatre. His television credits include Early Edition and Law and Order.

What do you think?

Do you like rats? Robert C. O’Brien manages to write this story so these traditionally unpopular rodents seem so likeable; you hardly remember that they are rodents. At what points in the story did you feel like rats don’t deserve the nasty reputation our society has pinned on them?

Mrs. Frisby is such a strong and courageous character. Give examples of her bravery throughout the story. Do you know any Moms who make sacrifices for their children? How are they similar to Mrs. Frisby?

Online Adventures Where should you go from here?

“It was generally not known that Robert Leslie Conly, Senior Assistant Editor of the National Geographic Magazine, and Robert C. O’Brien, the fiction writer were one in the same.” Read more about the author in a collection of articles put together by Sally M. Conly. Although Robert loved reading and writing at a young age, “he despised and feared school and some mornings was literally dragged screaming into the classroom.”

Visit Rat Tales a website based on Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. This site was the Thinkquest “best in contest” winner for 2000. There are games, craft projects, rodent math and questions for each chapter. You can test your memory and have fun reading up on “rat facts”.

Pet shopping? The Rat and Mouse Club of America has recommendations for some furry, adorable options. Please check with your parents before you get attached to the idea and the cute fuzzy faces you’ll find.

For other books by Robert C. O’Brien get to your local library and look for The Silver Crown (Atheneum) or Z for Zachariah (Bt Bound).

Grace Greene from The Vermont Department of Libraries suggests you take a look at…

Jane Leslie Conly, Robert O’Brien’s daughter, continued the saga with these two titles:

Racso and the Rats of NIMH. Harper & Row, 1986.
Timothy Frisby, son of Mrs. Frisby, teams up with the adventurous young rat Racso (son of Jenner) as together they try to prevent the destruction of the rats’ secret community.

RT, Margaret, and the Rats of NIMH. Harper & Row, 1990.
The further adventures of the intelligent young rat, Racso and his friends Christopher and Isabella as they try to ensure the survival of their community in Thorn Valley after its accidental discovery by two human children.

Avi. Poppy. Orchard, 1995.
Poppy the deer mouse urges her family to move next to a field of corn big enough to feed them all forever, but Mr. Ocax, a terrifying owl, has other ideas. This is the first of a series; the other titles are: Poppy and Rye (Avon, 1998); Ragweed (Avon, 1989); and Ereth’s Birthday (HarperCollins, 2000).

Corbett, W. J. Song of Pentecost. Dutton, 1983.
Recounts the many harrowing adventures of a group of mice and their leader Pentecost, who set out to help Snake regain his inheritance and find a new home for themselves in the Lickey Hills.

Jacques, Brian. Redwall. Philomel, 1986.
In this first book of the Redwall series, when the peaceful life of ancient Redwall Abbey is shattered by the arrival of the evil rat Cluny and his villainous hordes, young Matthias Mouse determines to find the legendary sword of Martin the Warrior, which he is convinced will help defend the Abbey against the marauding rats determined to enslave the mice who have taken refuge there.

Other titles include: Mossflower (Philomel, 1988); Mattimeo (Philomel,1990); Mariel of Redwall (Philomel, 1992); Salamandastron (Philomel, 1993); Martin the Warrior (Philomel, 1994); The Bellmaker (Philomel, 1995); Outcast of Redwall (Philomel, 1996); The Pearls of Lutra (Philomel, 1997); The Long Patrol (Philomel, 1998); Marlfox (Philomel, 1999); The Legend of Luke (Philomel, 2000); Lord Brocktree, 2000; Taggerung (Philomel. 2001).

Seidler, Tor. A Rat’s Tale. FSG, 1986.
When two young rats from different socio-economic backgrounds meet, they must endure adventures, family disputes and discover their own strengths before their life together can begin.