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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
As we pondered classic children's book to read for the PTA book club this year, this title was brought up. I was excited to read it because the title was new to me. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book and the story of the Rats of NIMH. One expects animals to talk in books but not for an explanation of why they read and are so intelligent. The book started a little bit slow to me but quickly picked up as Nicodemus told his story. I loved the parts about the rats!
Popsugar challenge #16 A book with an animal in the title
Popsugar challenge #16 A book with an animal in the title
I loved it! I was sad when it was over. I wanted more!
*re-read summer 2015 after finding it for 50 cents at the library booksale. just as good as i remember, must track down the rest of the series to re-read now as well.
Own.
We read this as a family over the past several months. All of us enjoyed it pretty well.
We found a lot to discuss in this book: stealing, learning, dangers, friendships, service to others. We had some long after-dinner discussions. It was exciting that after all these years of dinner time read alouds and modeling how to interact with books to see our eldest daughter (9yo) make allusions and draw ideas together from the reading. She asked some good questions. Not all the time, but from time to time.
There's a review on Amazon that treats the rats as totalitarian/fascist, and I'm not sure I agree with that. I like the review very much, but I think the Rats of NIMH show an extreme, self-centered independence.
Rather than considering how they could serve others, they were so focused on their own plans and desires that they walled themselves off into their own world and could not love rightly. With all their intelligence and learning, they could not see the interdependence they had on others - Mr. Ages, Mr. Frisby, the Bonifaces, the Fitzgibbons, even the old owl. And without seeing the interdependence, they offered no support until asked. No thought.
I was intrigued that they considered following the ideas of the early European monastery to remove themselves from the world. The monasteries, yes, were a haven, but a haven for learning and service to the community. Their separation wasn't as extreme as the Rats intended.
I also wonder about future generations of Rats. They are going to leave almost everything behind - including their books and tools. Yes, working is good and having real work is important, but standing on the shoulders of our ancestors and their learning and ideas is an important part of advancing civilization. They learned that the prairie dog civilization stopped growing and advancing, they claimed to be interested in and learn from history, yet Nicodemus and the Rats leave behind all that they could teach from and build from for the coming generations. Why?
As a Christian, I read this and wonder about how I love others. Do I only serve when asked, or do I seek out needs and offer help and aid. Do I love my American Individualism more than I love God and love others? Some ideas to consider out of this worthwhile book.
We read this as a family over the past several months. All of us enjoyed it pretty well.
We found a lot to discuss in this book: stealing, learning, dangers, friendships, service to others. We had some long after-dinner discussions. It was exciting that after all these years of dinner time read alouds and modeling how to interact with books to see our eldest daughter (9yo) make allusions and draw ideas together from the reading. She asked some good questions. Not all the time, but from time to time.
There's a review on Amazon that treats the rats as totalitarian/fascist, and I'm not sure I agree with that. I like the review very much, but I think the Rats of NIMH show an extreme, self-centered independence.
Rather than considering how they could serve others, they were so focused on their own plans and desires that they walled themselves off into their own world and could not love rightly. With all their intelligence and learning, they could not see the interdependence they had on others - Mr. Ages, Mr. Frisby, the Bonifaces, the Fitzgibbons, even the old owl. And without seeing the interdependence, they offered no support until asked. No thought.
I was intrigued that they considered following the ideas of the early European monastery to remove themselves from the world. The monasteries, yes, were a haven, but a haven for learning and service to the community. Their separation wasn't as extreme as the Rats intended.
I also wonder about future generations of Rats. They are going to leave almost everything behind - including their books and tools. Yes, working is good and having real work is important, but standing on the shoulders of our ancestors and their learning and ideas is an important part of advancing civilization. They learned that the prairie dog civilization stopped growing and advancing, they claimed to be interested in and learn from history, yet Nicodemus and the Rats leave behind all that they could teach from and build from for the coming generations. Why?
As a Christian, I read this and wonder about how I love others. Do I only serve when asked, or do I seek out needs and offer help and aid. Do I love my American Individualism more than I love God and love others? Some ideas to consider out of this worthwhile book.
medium-paced
The Secret of NIMH has been one of my favorite movies for as long as I can remember, but this was my first time reading the book! Even though there are a lot of differences, I think they're equally good in their own respect. I enjoyed getting a deeper dive into what happened with Nicodemus, Justin, Mr. Ages, and Jonathan during their time at NIMH and how they got to be in the Rosebush. Glad I finally read it!
A true masterpiece of a work. I love Justin and Brutus
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not sure how I never read this before, when all my bigger kids have. Heavy on the monologues and the plot holes. (We listened to the audio on a family trip but I kept falling asleep, so I had to pull out our copy and fill in the parts I missed.)