Thursday, June 10, 2010

Book Review: Time Stops for No Mouse: A Hermux Tantamoq Adventure

By Michael Hoeye. 2002. G.P. Putman’s Sons, New York. 250 p.

Gr. 3-6 Hermux Tantamoq is a watchmaker mouse living in the city of Pinchester. He’s perfectly content working on watches and clocks, talking with friends, eating the occasional doughnut, and spending time with his pet ladybug, Terfle. When the beautiful aviatrix, Linka Perflinger, stops in his shop and drops off a watch for repair then disappears, Hermux goes on an adventure that changes how he sees his world.

Hoeye uses short chapters and simple language to draw readers into this fast-paced adventure. This story started as a series of emails Hoeye wrote to his wife while she was traveling, so reluctant readers will find this episodic romp easy to put down and come back to later. Hoeye’s straightforward writing style doesn’t overwhelm, instead engaging readers to turn all 250 pages in no time.

The vivid characters of Pinchester and beyond light up the pages: good guys endear, bad guys appall. Boys will find a friend in the shy Hermux and his affinity for things with gears, while girls will look up to Linka’s sense of adventure and loyalty.

Hoeye creates a rich world of rodents in the big city delivering mail, running cosmetics companies, and enjoying sandwiches and honey fizzes. Humorous and witty dialogue abounds. Time Stops for No Mouse is a galloping escapade chock full of suspense, villainous adversaries, and friends both old and new. Through it all, the timid Hermux learns that he just might have it in him to venture beyond his cozy life.

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