Rescuers

Three gallant mice brave mighty rivers, ferocious felines, and other dangers to rescue an imprisoned Norwegian poet.

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PUFFIN BOOKS SUMMARY

"Black Castle... One can't even cheer a prisoner in Black Castle, the old mouse said gravely.

"But one can get him out," turned Madam Chairwoman.

There was a stunned silence.

There is soon to be another stunned silence when the listeners are told of her daring plan. But of course you may not have even heard of The Prisoners' Aid Society, for all of its members were (and are) mice, and their work is to help, amuse, and comfort lonely prisoners. The latest prisoner, though, is more of a problem than usual; he is a poet, shut away in a terrible fairy-tale castle in a region so far from human houses and shops that no mouse can survive within miles of it.

This story tells how a team of three—pampered little Miss Bianca, a white mouse living at the Embassy, a sturdy young sailor mouse called Nils, and a good-hearted kitchen-boy mouse called Bernard—set out on a heroic rescue attempt. What a dreadful journey they have, and what a landscape they come to at last! A stony waste between frightful beetling cliffs, and on the highest peak of all, Black Castle itself.

What happened next you must read for yourself. For that is only the start of a story that is thrilling, surprising, and often very funny.

Margery Sharp, the author, is already very well known as a writer of novels for grown-ups. This is the first book she has written specially for children. But a lot of parents are going to find it very hand to pet down, It is a superb, unusual story and Garth Willians illustrations are worthy of it.

Equally good for boys and girls, and for all ages between 7 and 11.