Book Review: Mouse Scouts (1-2) by Sarah Dillard

Summary:  
For fans of Ivy and Bean and Junie B. Jones comes a brand-new chapter book series: Mouse Scouts!

Brimming with lively black-and-white illustrations—including pages from the official Mouse Scout Handbook, plus diagrams, games, activities, and more—this darling new series is just right for chapter book readers. 

Mouse Scouts (#1) 
Meet Violet, Tigerlily, Hyacinth, Petunia, Junebug, and Cricket, six new Mouse Scouts who are trustworthy and strong, thrifty and brave . . . and destined to be friends to the end! Best friends Violet and Tigerlily can’t wait to start earning their merit badges. But their troop leader, Miss Poppy, is one strict rodent. And earning their first badge—planting a vegetable garden—is hard work. Will the troop drive unwanted pests from the garden and earn their Sow It and Grow It badge? And will they ever get Miss Poppy to smile?
 

Mouse Scouts (#2) Make a Difference
Violet, Tigerlily, and their friends are ready to earn their Make a Difference badge. If only they could agree on what kind of difference they want to make. But when the troop decides to clean up a local park, they find themselves facing an unusual rescue mission. Will the girls be able to make a real difference, or will this badge prove more than the Mouse Scouts can handle?

 


Release Date: January 2016
Age Group: Middle Grade
Source: Review Copies from Publisher
Reviewed By: Macy Kate

1. Who are the main characters? Did you have a favorite and why?

My favorite characters in both books were Tigerlily and Violet. I like Tigerlily because she is adventurous and daring. I really like Violet because she's careful around danger and is a good friend. 

2. What is the story setting?

The story takes place at a Mouse Scout camp 

3. What was one main event?

The main event in the first book "Mouse Scouts" was planting a garden. The mice had to work together to plant the garden and keep pests and animals from messing up the garden. The main event in "Making a Difference " was that the mice work together to make a difference by cleaning up a park that is important to them. They figure out a way to keep the trash in the trash can. 

4. What didn't you like? 

I really liked it all!

5. Was the book easy to follow (understand)?

Yep. 

6. What is your overall opinion of the series? Will you continue? 

I really loved these books! I hope the author writes more Mouse Scout books. I have told my friends about them because I loved them so much. The books made me want to be a better friend and help others.

 

Note from Nat:

These books are so visually attractive that I instantly wanted to use them as decorations in my daughters room! But I held it together and gave them to Macy Kate. {They are such a cute size too.} 

After reading Macy Kate's review, I wanted to recommend this series to parents for a few reasons.

1. Bullying is so bad in our schools and this is a series that encourages strong, healthy friendships. And most importantly teaches appropriate ways to resolve conflicts.

2. Obviously this series appeals to girls especially those that: love animals, are in girl scouts and those that love a little adventure.

3. Whether you have an avid middle grade reader or a hesitant one, this is a series that is fresh and just beginning to roll out. This will give young readers something to look forward too and begin to develop those feelings of anticipation (and sometimes distress :). It is best to start them young and really develop these intense book habits-- really it's good for our society.

The next installment, Mouse Scouts: Camp Out is set to hit shelves this October and you can bet Macy Kate is ready!