Heroic Adventures of Hercules Amsterdam

by Melissa Glenn Haber

Hercules Amsterdam is only three inches tall—the perfect height for exploring the hollow spaces behind his bedroom wall. Deep within the walls, little Hercules discovers a fanciful city full of mice and falls in love with their friendly, carefree ways (imagine mice cream every day!). But when Hercules stumbles across abandoned mice cities that look like war zones, he realizes that the happy mice face a frightening and grotesque hidden enemy—rats! Hercules is determined to protect his sweet, gentle friends. Join him on his journey to foil the evil rats for good—and save mousekind as he knows it.

Genres: Fantasy

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 23, 2003

Reviews

[Dylan Jones]

This book was good, but not one of the best. The plot was a bit confusing, and everything kind of happened too fast. This is just not the type of book I would enjoy reading daily.

[Kathryn Rosenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great novel! I read it when it first came out but loved sharing it with my 8-year-old!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great, imaginative book! As long as you first accept the premise that a young boy could grow to only the size of a Mouse, it stands to reason that he would find the company of mice less intimidating than the many young kids his age that like to torment smaller creatures than them.
So, of course, he finds a hidden mouse society. beginning with the concept that cheese is valued by Mice, not to be eaten, but for light! The Mice (who mostly cannot count beyond one hand,) live and die within the span of how long the mouses "sun" (made of that large chunk of cheese) lasts.
The Mouses natural enemy is, not Cats, but the "might makes right" Rats! An old mouse shows him a hidden history of mice, and he learns the Mouse Towns, at the end of each mouse sun cycle, is destroyed by rats, and the cycle is coming to a close soon! Only a few Mouse leaders even know this, for the information has only bred terror in the generations of mice that learned it. So, how can he help his Mouse friends? Where can he go for help?
It was quite a tale, following Hercules Amsterdam into the world, the struggles and sacrifices he has to make for his friends, and even more interesting when he and one fellow human,(a forthright, outspoken young girl,) become the heroes,defeating the evil Rats, follow the magic trail, and find a permanent solution to the problem.
All-in-all I found this a very fun and imaginative book.

[Valerie Mabrey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was hoping this would be a good read out loud book, but must say it was not. The characters are not very deep and not strong personality for reading out loud. Thought the story was lacking too. Sorry, just not good.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book. Loads of adventure, but very touching and sensitive in parts. Something for everyone in a classroom of kids.

[Ryanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well i haven't read all of it but, it is very creative and i love it,its also mysterious, and i love mystery's!!

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down.
Friendship, courage, ingenuity, and learning to grow up. Great stuff.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melissa is a friend so my view is biased, but I found this a wonderful, exciting story - vividly imagined.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I would rate it 6 stars if I could."

[Micchon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so entertaining and exciting!! Great story! I recommend this! Crazy but fantastic. :)