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53rd out of 137 books
—
675 voters
Malcolm at Midnight
by
W.H. Beck (Goodreads Author),
Brian Lies , Rebecca Hogue Wojahn
When Malcolm the rat arrives as the pet at McKenna School, he revels in the attention. He also meets the Midnight Academy, a secret society of classroom pets that keeps the nutters (kids) safe. There’s just one problem…rats have a terrible reputation! So when the Academy’s iguana leader is kidnapped, Malcolm must prove his innocence—and that even rats can be good guys. Ill...more
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
September 4th 2012
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
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MALCOLM AT MIDNIGHT will appeal to fans of mysteries and animal adventures, particularly fans of Humphrey the Hamster, Despereaux the Mouse, and the Rats of NIMH.
McKenna School has a newbie: Classroom mouse Malcolm. He is quickly inducted into The Midnight Academy, a secret society of all the classroom pets at McKenna School. They meet under cover of night and are devoted to keeping the school kids safe. Malcolm loves the school, and he loves the club, but he has a secret… he’s not a mouse at al...more
McKenna School has a newbie: Classroom mouse Malcolm. He is quickly inducted into The Midnight Academy, a secret society of all the classroom pets at McKenna School. They meet under cover of night and are devoted to keeping the school kids safe. Malcolm loves the school, and he loves the club, but he has a secret… he’s not a mouse at al...more
Review by Karen, intended for young readers:
If you’ve read Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, then you know that some rats can be very smart and very brave. In that book, it’s only a small group of rats who could be that way — and I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t read the book by telling you why. But in Malcolm at Midnight by W.H. Beck (illustrated by Brian Lies), you’ll discover that even rats NOT from NIMH can be intelligent and noble. You guessed it — I’m talking about a rat named Malcol...more
If you’ve read Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, then you know that some rats can be very smart and very brave. In that book, it’s only a small group of rats who could be that way — and I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t read the book by telling you why. But in Malcolm at Midnight by W.H. Beck (illustrated by Brian Lies), you’ll discover that even rats NOT from NIMH can be intelligent and noble. You guessed it — I’m talking about a rat named Malcol...more
Malcolm at Midnight by W.H. Beck with illustrations by Brian Lies tells the story of Malcom a classroom rat. After arriving at McKenna school he soon finds himself part of a caper involving a secret society of school pets, and evil cat and a kidnapped iguana. Malcolm must use his smarts and wits and his human friends to clear his name and to help save the school.
I loved this book. Malcom was delightful and his relationships with the other pets and his classmates were fun to read. The book is nar...more
I loved this book. Malcom was delightful and his relationships with the other pets and his classmates were fun to read. The book is nar...more
Malcolm at Midnight is too cute! The story starts out with poor Malcolm at the pet store who is about to become food for someone's snake but has been spared because of his demure size. He is taken to a 5th grade classroom (horrors!) where
he becomes a class pet and then meets the Midnight Academy made up of all the other class pets. The Midnight Academy looks after the school and tries to protect all its members. There is a fish who spells out in pebbles messages, a backstabbing rabbit, an iguana...more
he becomes a class pet and then meets the Midnight Academy made up of all the other class pets. The Midnight Academy looks after the school and tries to protect all its members. There is a fish who spells out in pebbles messages, a backstabbing rabbit, an iguana...more
In the beginning you have to compare this book to the Humphrey series by Birney, which tells the tale of a golden hamster who is a class pet and involves himself in the lives of the students. Indeed, there are a lot of similarities at first. Soon, however, this story of Malcolm, a rat who is rather small and is mistaken for a mouse, takes a turn. The other classroom pets meet at midnight. They have club with rules and regulations and goals. They also have a strong prejudice against rats. Malcolm...more
Cute story about Malcolm, a rat, and his adventures inside the school where he is a class pet. The story is told in a letter written to the teacher. One night, while exploring the school, Malcolm discovers the other class pets have created a group called the Midnight Academy. When they find put that he is a rat, not a mouse, they instantly distrust him. Things begin to happen, animals start disappearing, the humans start acting strange. There is a missing ring, a bad cat, and some sketchy humans...more
When I say 'rat' what words come to mind? Sneaky? Evil? Untrustworthy? Well don't believe everything that you read in books. Rats aren't all bad--and Malcolm is determined to prove that even though he is a rat he can still be have valor and merit like everyone else in Mr. Binney's classroom. Of course, Mr. Binney wouldn't have bought Malcolm in the first place if he didn't think he was a mouse. It's not Malcolm's fault he's so small though. As if being mistaken for a mouse wasn't enough Mr. Binn...more
I really loved this book. I listend to it on audio and the narrator was great too, which helped.
Malcolm is a rat (who is often mistaken for a mouse) and goes to live in a school as a class pet. He starts out living the good life in his deluxe cage, but quickly becomes involved in adventures and intrigue with the Midnight Academy (made up of the other "critters" in the school), trying to clear his name, and secretly communicating with his human friend.
This was just really enjoyable and unique. I...more
Malcolm is a rat (who is often mistaken for a mouse) and goes to live in a school as a class pet. He starts out living the good life in his deluxe cage, but quickly becomes involved in adventures and intrigue with the Midnight Academy (made up of the other "critters" in the school), trying to clear his name, and secretly communicating with his human friend.
This was just really enjoyable and unique. I...more
Absolutely fantastic! On par with Beverly Cleary's The Mouse and the Motorcycle and Carmen Agra Deedy's The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale. A must read for lovers of animals acting like people stories.
This is a mystery/adventure story surrounding a group of school classroom pets who meet at midnight, told through the eyes of Malcolm the newest addition. There are references to the Tale of Despereaux. and this story is reminiscent of Kate DiCamillo's wonderful story, but gentler. The illustrations by Brian Lies are wonderful, as well as the relationships that develop between the classroom pets and their "nutters" (the students in the classrooms). Fun, interesting story and wonderfully interest...more
Let's talk about this book's narration, because holy wow is it unique: written to the class's teacher from the students, the narrator addresses him as "you, Mr. Binney". It's subtle but effective. And footnotes linking to "vocabulary words" or hilarious commentary on specific students in the class are definite funny highpoints, a burst of awesome in each chapter.
That being said, Malcolm isn't distanced at all from the reader due to the narration style. In fact, it'd be nigh impossible not to rel...more
That being said, Malcolm isn't distanced at all from the reader due to the narration style. In fact, it'd be nigh impossible not to rel...more
Malcolm is a rat who is suffering an identity crisis of sorts. He aspires to be a rat of “valor and merit,” a heroic rat. The problem is that his friends at the McKenna School, both human and animal, are suspicious of rats in general and mistake him for a mouse. Honey Bunny, one of the leaders of Midnight Academy, despises rats and claims that they are “skuzzy garbage-eaters who lie and cheat.” Malcolm aspires to be the rat he is inside, the rat he is when he is alone at midnight, while striving...more
Malcolm, a rat so small he is mistaken for a mouse, is the new Room 11 class pet. As he learns more about Mckenna School, he meets the Midnight Academy, a band of classroom pets who pledge to keep the halls of the schhol safe. When one of the Academy's members goes missing, Malcolm sets out to find out what happened. Will he prove himself and become a member of the Academy or will he always be considered just a rat? A fun story about being true to yourself with wonderful artwork that enhances th...more
Malcolm at Midnight, by W. H. Beck, is a delightfully engaging book. I was so glad to receive a copy in a Goodreads give away. It is a fast paced read for young readers and the beautiful illustrations will keep them entranced. Malcolm, a very small rat with shiny intelligent eyes, has newly arrived at McKenna School as the fifth grade class pet. The kids love him and the other class pets have welcomed him into their secret Midnight Academy. The problem is everyone thinks he is a cute adorable MO...more
what a great book. we couldn't wait to finish it. very suspenseful with well drawn characters that we all cared about. we loved the different personalities of the animals and the adventure was fierce. Had to switch to daytime or early evening reading because Everett was afraid of Snip the cat and didn't even want to see her picture in the book; one night he said he couldn't sleep because of seeing Snip's picture. Brian Lies' illustrations were beautifully done.
Devoured in a day. Impressive laying of plot-groundwork in this mystery. Animal illustrations gorgeous, as expected of Brian Lies of Bats at the Beach fame. Excellent dialogue and rich atmosphere--we get to know the school intimately through Malcolm's nose, ears, and over-gnawed whiskers.
Regrettably, the primary antagonist is a cat--but though a villain, she's a tragic one.
Will definitely recommend to my library patrons!
Regrettably, the primary antagonist is a cat--but though a villain, she's a tragic one.
Will definitely recommend to my library patrons!
Feb 26, 2013
Madelyn
added it
I highly recommend this book, which brought me back to my favorite books growing up, where animals talked and had adventures that the humans couldn't see -- except those sensitive, patient few who watched more carefully. From 7 years old on, I think I was waiting for a mouse to come talk to me, or to ride a motorcycle over my Keds. Malcom is is own person (or rat), though. It was lovely spending time with him.
I really enjoyed listening to this delightful mystery about Malcolm, a smaller than average rat, who becomes the newest fifth grade pet at McKenna School. Malcolm will steal your heart! He meets a secret society in the school called the Midnight Academy, which is made up of classroom pets who look out for the nutters (kids). Unfortunately, since rats have a bad reputation, Malcolm lets the misunderstanding go uncorrected that he's a mouse. One day the Academy leader, an iguana named Aggy, disapp...more
Animal characters fill this adventure with humor, danger, friendship and suspense. Malcolm is a class rat (but everyone thinks he is a mouse) who gets caught on the wrong side of Snip, the resident cat who makes life difficult for all the other school pets. Brian Lies’ illustrations are simply perfect and the tale, told in the form of a letter to the 5th grade teacher, is captivating!
Malcolm, a very small rat, is saved from a fate as snake fodder by Mr. Binney, a fifth-grade teacher who buys him for a classroom pet. Malcolm soon discovers the existence of the Midnight Academy, a secret society made up of the school's pets, who meet at night, working together to keep McKenna School safe for themselves, as well as the nutters (children) and lankies (adults). Though Aggy, the Academy leader, takes Malcolm under her wing, some of the other animals don't trust rats, and Malcolm s...more
When debating between 4 and 5 stars, the spot illustrations by Brian Lies tipped the scale to five stars. His portrayal of Malcolm's adventures is as nuanced and precise as Beck's storytelling. Malcolm's twitchy mannerisms and conflicted self-concept emerge from the first page with a charm and appeal that make him as memorable as Wilbur or Charlotte.
Clever, funny animal mystery. Clues and footnotes abound!
Perfect for an examination of less conventional writing styles. Different and challenging point of view/audience/narrator approach. Footnotes, a rarity in children's lit (I can't think of any other children's fiction, in my admittedly limited experience, that includes them).
Perfect for an examination of less conventional writing styles. Different and challenging point of view/audience/narrator approach. Footnotes, a rarity in children's lit (I can't think of any other children's fiction, in my admittedly limited experience, that includes them).
This will be easy to recommend to my students as some love animal mysteries. I can imagine there being sequels, especially as I need to know what happened to the cat!!!!! The illustrations were quite good, too--not of the eternal charm of Garth Williams or Ernest Shepherd, but still good.
Love Malcolm! Great idea! The story is filled with good humor and action, and rat or not, who wouldn't love Malcolm! Love the book, looking forward to sharing it with my kids at school and looking forward to a next installment?
Very fun, well-written tale of a rat (mistaken for a mouse) who becomes involved with a secret society of animals whose mission is to protect the elementary school they live in and its students. Lots of action and mystery.
When the teachers and students are away, the classroom pets will play. Malcolm At Midnight by debut author WH Beck is an utterly charming middle grade story about identity, friendship and doing the right thing. Enhanced by gorgeous illustrations by Brian Lies, Malcolm At Midnight is the sort of book I would recommend to the animal obsessed elementary school student.
Read the rest of my review here link goes live 9/17/12
Read the rest of my review here link goes live 9/17/12
Sep 05, 2012
Terry
marked it as wish-list
September 2012
Saw the review Jen Robinson on Jen Robinson's Book Page and knew we needed this on our wish list. Read Jen's review: http://jkrbooks.typepad.com/blog/2012...
Saw the review Jen Robinson on Jen Robinson's Book Page and knew we needed this on our wish list. Read Jen's review: http://jkrbooks.typepad.com/blog/2012...
This is a wonderful story! There is a lot of action and suspense. It was hard to put down when I knew it was time to go to bed. It has some great lessons about friendship, self-esteem, honesty and integrity.
Wonderful children's book. Entertaining story with many good talking points to engage young ones in discussion of racial stereotypes, peer pressure, being true to ones self, loyalty, empathy, preconceived notions, etc.
I'm a sucker for rat books, having had many great pet rats over the years, so Malcolm at Midnight is a natural for me. So great to see a rat as a hero, not as the cheap and easy villain.
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School librarian by day; children's writer by night. Author of the funny middle grade mystery, MALCOLM AT MIDNIGHT (Houghton Mifflin, 2012). Also writes under the name Rebecca Hogue Wojahn.
More about W.H. Beck...
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