Book: The Stowaways Author: Meghan Marentette Illustrator: Dean Griffiths Publisher: Pajama Press Date: Oct. 15, 2013 Genre: Children's chapter book; ages 8-12 Pages: 236 Price: $19.95 My rating: an adventure one does not want to leave until the end
Last year I had the privilege of meeting several authors at a local children’s book fair, Meghan Marentette being one of them. Her table was directly beside Carolyn Mallory‘s whose book I reviewed HERE.
Here is a photo I took of them holding their books.
The Stowaways is an exciting first novel by Meghan Marentette. The main character, a little mouse by the name of Rory Stowaway, has been compared to Stuart Little, and he does have that gutsy and daring personality.
Rory lives with his twin brother, his little sister, his parents, and his grandmother. Since Rory’s grandfather failed to return from a daring adventure to the World Beyond, his father won’t let anyone go very far. He is anxious and has put a stop to exploring, but Rory is restless and wants to go searching for his grandfather and bring him home. His father is firmly against such an idea and will not hear of it.
The neighbours all believe Rory’s grandfather was killed in a trap, so they are standoffish with the family. They all are Weedle mice, and Weedle mice are normally not adventurous – the Stowaways being the exception for generations. Rory’s brother, Morgan, is a dreamer and wants to go on a sailing adventure, but when Rory learns his grandmother’s secret he is all the more determined to go on what he plans to be a rescue mission.
Life for the Stowaway family gets turned upside down by a series of unexpected events, scary and dangerous situations including a hurricane, a girl who likes to catch and cage mice, a cranky cat who wants to do worse than that, and more adventure than even Rory imagined.
The Stowaways by Meghan Marentette is a fast-paced tale consisting of eighteen chapters, lots of page-turning action, and Dean Griffiths’ wonderful illustrations that include maps on the end pages. It is not only young readers who will enjoy this book.
You can find The Stowaways on my BUY THE BOOK page.
Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂
Polilla Writes 
This book sounds good! 🙂
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I think both you and Josie would enjoy it. 🙂
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That was such a fun day and so glad you made it! I haven’t read Meghan’s book yet but it’s on my TBR list. I met Carolyn a few years ago, but it was the first time I’d met Meghan. Events like this remind me that there are so many local authors in our area. For so many years I didn’t know any of them. So glad that has changed. 😀
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If it weren’t for you, Laura, I’d be much longer realizing the same thing. I only knew of one local lady who had a picture book out and that was years ago, and I don’t even remember her name now. I’m glad, too, that things have changed.
Thanks for your comment; it’s good to see you. 🙂
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Sounds like a fun read. Thanks for the review, Lynn.
I noticed in your sidebar your Word for 2017. Our pastor preached a couple of weeks ago on choosing a word for the year, so yours jumped out at me. Progress, that’s a good one. I chose Positive. I don’t know exactly when it happened, but I’ve become a bit of a cynic as of late. My daughter asked me when I became such a Debbie Downer and I realized she was right. So I’m hoping to get back to a more positive outlook in the future.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. So nice to reconnect with you, Lynn.
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Ruth, how nice of you to stop by.
Yes, it seemed PROGRESS was a natural continuation for me from last year’s word which was CHANGE.
I understand what you mean about becoming negative or cynical. I find when I’m not as focused on good things, and my relationship with God has shifted, my attitude suffers. I’ve had to give myself more than one talking to about that very thing.
I’m glad to reconnect with you, too, Ruth. Thanks for your comment.
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I loved all the “mousey” details in this book – made me think of Stuart Little, only more current:) The illustrations really add to the story, and there’s even a built-in bookmark. Waiting for book number two, Meghan…
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Agreed, Jan! There was no bookmark with my copy, though, but that’s a very convenient feature.
Thanks for stopping in, Jan.
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