The Orphan and the Mouse

Affiliate Disclosure

Crouched in the shadow of the door, Gallico watched the mouse approach.

Opening Lines, The Orphan and the Mouse by Martha Freeman

Why Read This Book

1. This story is beautifully paced in its story development, offering excellent and enjoyable reading for independent readers
2. Published in 2014 but set in 1949, this book does a nice job introducing independent readers to the period of the late 1940’s.
3. Relatable and compelling characters.
4. The story includes a bit of mystery, some history, thoughts on loyalty and prejudice, and above all the meaning of friendship.
5. It introduces readers to the concept of two points of view in a story, as the narration alternates between the main characters.

Book Facts

Author: Martha Freeman

Illustrator: David MacPhail

Copyright: Published in 2014

Publisher: Holiday House

Format: Middle Grade Chapter Book. Includes illustrations prepared in graphite (pencil).

Age Range: Independent and Fluent Readers, Grade 3-4+, Age 8+. This book could be read aloud to children who are 6-7, in grades 1 and 2.

About the Book Art: This chapter book includes illustrations prepared in graphite (pencil). The cover art adds watercolor. As a child’s reading skill become increasingly fluent, illustrations help with the transition. The pictures are also simply enjoyable.

Expansion Circle Ideas

The Orphan and the Mouse offers up some great ways to expand out from the story (an activity I call an “Expansion Circle”) into other areas of learning. In this case, you can have fun learning some geography (yes, geography can be fun).

The story told in this book takes place in Philadelphia, PA. While reading the book, write down the names of streets and Philadelphia places that are mentioned. Then, use that information together with a map of Philadelphia to (printed or online), go on a book adventure and see if the locations in the book are drawn from real places in the city.

You can use a printed map or an online version. Both options have benefits. If you need a printed map and have a membership with AAA, you can go to your local office and request a Pennsylvania map that shows the detail of Philadelphia for free (at least at the time of writing this article). Another option is to request a packet of information from the tourism agency for Philadelphia. It’s called DiscoverPHL and is a terrific online tool where you can learn more about Philadelphia.

Philadelphia matters because of the role the city played in American history, including during its days as a city in a colony, to the Revolutionary War, the creation of the first U.S.A. flag, and to the Underground Railroad in the days before the Civil War. Children love learning about places when it’s simply something they are doing for fun with a parent. Avoid testing or worksheets during Expansion Circle activities. Just go exploring and have fun!

Get This Book

The Orphan and the Mouse is available both new and used.

• Buy new: This book is not currently available at Bookshop, but you can buy a copy of it on Amazon.
• Buy a used copy from Biblio or Thriftbooks.
• Check it out at your local library! If you don’t see this book on the shelves, ask the library staff to request a copy for you.

When you buy books from Bookshop and Biblio you will be supporting the network of independent booksellers. Your purchase helps keep the independent and diversified voices of book curation alive and well.

See Inside

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More Books By This Illustrator

I absolutely love The Orphan and the Mouse. And I really want to be able to recommend more books by the author Martha Freeman. But at the time of writing this review for you, I sadly haven’t had a chance to read her other books. When that changes I’ll update this review.

In the meantime; however, I can recommend quite a few books by the illustrator of The Orphan and the Mouse – David McPhail. He both writes and illustrates books. His illustrations have a gentle and soft quality to them. The stories that he writes are equally as gentle and soft. It is for those reasons that I recommend his books for young children.

Here are a few titles for you to enjoy, especially if your child loves the illustrations in The Orphan and the Mouse. All of the books on this list were illustrated by David McPhail. Some are also written by him (as noted). Many of these stories feature boy characters, as a heads up for all the boy parents out there. As always, these books have all been read and evaluated by me before recommending them to you.

Some of these books are available new; others are only available used (but I still highly recommend the used versions!). I’ve linked to places I recommend for purchasing a copy. You can also check Biblio.com, Thriftbooks.com, and your local library.

Little Horse – written by Betsy Byars

If You Were My Bunny – written by Kate McMullan

The Teddy Bear – written by David McPhail

Lost – written by David McPhail

Mud is Cake – written by Pam Munoz Ryan

The Puddle – written by David McPhail

Henry Bear’s Christmas – written by David McPhail

No!, written by David McPhail (This story is very significant. It relates to World War II and Holocaust history. It presents an appropriate way to talk about those tragic times with young children.