Fergus and Zeke

Fergus and Zeke #1

by Kate Messner, Heather Ross (Illustrator)

Meet Fergus and Zeke a lovable classroom mouse and his streetwise buddy in a brand-new series perfect for early readers.
Fergus loves being the class pet in Miss Maxwell s classroom. He does everything the students do, until the teacher plans a field trip to the museum without Fergus! He doesn t want to miss the fun, so he stows away in a backpack and sets off for an adventure. When he arrives at the museum, Fergus finds it a little overwhelming huge and full of exciting things to see. Luckily, he meets a new friend, Zeke, who knows the ropes, and together they explore everything from moon rocks to butterflies to a giant dinosaur skeleton ("A playground!" says Zeke). But when the time comes for the bus to leave, Fergus is worried that he ll be left behind. Will he make it back to school to take his place as class pet once more?"

Genres: Animals, Friendship, Adventure, Picture Books, Chapter Books, Fiction, Childrens

56 pages, Hardcover

Published June 13, 2017

About the author

Kate Messner is an award-winning author, TED 2012 speaker, and former middle school English teacher. Her books for kids include THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z.,SUGAR AND ICE, and EYE OF THE STORM (Walker/Bloomsbury Dec. 2010) the MARTY MCGUIRE series (Scholastic), SEA MONSTER'S FIRST DAY, and OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW (Chronicle, Books). Kate also wrote SPITFIRE and CHAMPLAIN AND THE SILENT ONE, both Lake Champlain historical novels published by North Country Books.

Kate lives with her family on Lake Champlain, where she loves to read, write, hike, swing on birch trees, and eat chocolate. She also hangs out in various places online.
Visit Kate's website: http://www.katemessner.com

Find Kate on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/KateMessner

...or follow her on Twitter - @katemessner

Reviews

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

For readers just beginning to delve into books with chapters. Fun story and illustrations support the text.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fergus is a class pet in Miss Maxwell's room. He pays close attention and is careful to follow along with what Miss Maxwell tells the rest of the class to do. When the class goes on a field trip to the Museum of Natural History, Fergus is excited to go too. Except, Miss Maxwell says he isn't going. Fergus can't stand the thought of being left behind so he sneaks into a backpack and joins anyway. When he arrives at the museum, his buddy (a banana he met in the backpack) is not willing to explore the museum, but a museum mouse named Zeke volunteers to be his buddy instead. They have a great time exploring the museum and become good friends. When it is time for the bus to leave, the friends can't bear the thought of being separated. What can they do?

This is an attractively illustrated chapter book for beginner readers. Fergus is a great role model in the way he likes to follow the teacher's instructions. Zeke likes to push the boundaries a little more. The two of them give a little tour of the museum Smithsonian Museum of Natural History for kids during their adventures. My favorite part of this was Fergus's time in the backpack on the bus with his buddy the banana. It was quite funny. A very attractive chapter book that could tempt reluctant young readers into reading.

[Aliza Werner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun start to a new series by Kate Messner. Fergus the mouse is a class pet who sneaks his way into a student's backpack for a field trip to the museum. I love that there are some really solid transitional chapter books published this year.

[ReGina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for children transitioning into chapter books. Good for reluctant readers as it has lots of illustrations and a size that is not intimidating. Not a complex story, but does have lots of story elements to discuss.

[Marshall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Marshall:
One day, Fergus, a class pet (mouse) in Miss Maxwell's class was ready for the field trip to the museum, but Miss Maxwell and her class were not ready to take him to the field trip, so Fergus climbed into Emma's backpack. He found a buddy and it's a banana, then he found Zeke, a museum mouse as his new partner. They saw rocks, butterflies, whales, snacks, lions, elephants, and dinosaur bones, but Fergus saw that the bus was ready to go, so Fergus and Zeke ran for the bus, and they took the shortcut. They see the butterflies, the gorillas, some insects, and a shooting star, then they found Emma's backpack, but Zeke wants to be with Fergus, so Fergus said he can go with him to school After that, Ms. Maxwell and her class discovered Zeke and Zeke became a new class pet.
At the beginning of chapter 1, I thought that Fergus was not going to the field trip, but he did. I know why he went to the field trip: because he learned many things from Ms. Maxwell's class, and these things can help Fergus find the way to go to the field trip. I think it's funny that Fergus' partner is a banana.
I like Fergus better because if he's my student, then he will listen to me. Because if Zeke doesn't like rules, then he won't listen to me.
I gave it 2 stars because it's just a field trip, not an adventure.

Mom:
I really enjoyed this book and appreciate its non-adventurous plot. This may not suit everyone's taste but I thought it relates more to our everyday life. I thought it's funny that Fergus is such a good mouse student, and he always does his work in class! However, I personally like Zeke better because he's an interesting crazy guy.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this new series by Kate Messner. A fun story and wonderful illustrations make this a great way to transition kids into chapter books.

Classroom pet Fergus loves to do everything the students are doing. When the students sit quietly and listen to a story, Fergus sits still and listens. When the teacher calls time for clean-up, Fergus makes sure he tidies his cage. When Ms. Maxwell tells the students they will be taking a field trip to the Museum of Natural History, Fergus can't wait. Just like the students, he can hardly wait to see the butterfly garden, the dinosaurs, and the planetarium. But wait. What's this? He has to stay behind in his cage while the children all get to go? What's Fergus to do? He really wants to go with them. He'll just have to stow away in Emma's backpack of course! So now our adventure begins. Are you wondering who Zeke is since his name is in the title and he's on the book cover with Fergus? You'll just have to read this entertaining story to find out. You won't be disappointed.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun early reader chapter book that will be enjoyed in many classroom libraries. Told from the point of view of the classroom pet mouse, Fergus, Miss Maxwell's class is preparing to go on a field trip to the museum. No one is more excited than Fergus, as he stows away in a student's backpack to go on the trip with the class. At the museum, Fergus meets a new friend, Zeke. Zeke is a mouse who lives at the museum, so he is able to show Fergus all sorts of cool things. Young readers will be able to relate to the fun of a field trip and making a new friend and also the stress of realizing you've lost track of the group and you might miss the bus! Digital illustrations do a wonderful job of showing the classroom, the bus ride, and the museum in bright, inviting colors. This would be a great one to have on hand at the beginning of the school year as kids are getting to know the classroom rules about pets and field trips. It would also be a good mentor text for writing from different points of view.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Deep in the dark of the backpack, Fergus smiled. He was going on a field trip, too."

Fergus is the mouse in Miss Maxwell's classroom. Fergus does everything with the students, including following all the class rules, so he is determined to go on the field trip, as well. So he hitches a ride in Emma's backpack. Once he arrives at the museum, though, he is about to get left behind by the class when he meets Zeke. Zeke is a mouse that lives at the museum and he leads Fergus on an exciting adventure, though at times he encourages Fergus to break the rules. They're having so much fun, in fact, that Fergus is about to get left behind by the school bus. Luckily, Zeke knows a shortcut back to the coatroom. Fergus is excited to be returning to the adventures of the classroom, and Zeke, wanting a friend, decides to tag along. "I don't like following rules. But I do like having a friend ... So I promise I'll do my best."

A fun school story that young readers will enjoy. I look forward to more of these.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:
Fergus is the class pet in Miss Maxwell’s classroom, Fergus gets to do everything the students do. Until Miss Maxwell plans a trip for the class. The class is going to the museum and Fergus doesn't want to miss out on this trip, so he hides in a backpack so he can join in the field trip. At the museum, Fergus meets a new friend named Zeke. Together they explore the museum. Fergus and Zeke have so much fun together, but when it comes time to leave Fergus doesn't know if he will make it back with the class.

Questions:

1. Why do you think Fergus loves being a class pet?
2. Why do you think Fergus hid in a backpack to go on the field trip?
3. What was the name of the friend that Fergus meets at the museum?
4. What kind of things do Fergus and his friend see at the museum?
5. Does Fergus make it back in time to leave the museum with the class?


Citation:

Messner, K. (2017). Fergus and Zeke. Candlewick.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fergus and Zeke celebrate an unusual friendship. Fergus the class mouse pet in Miss Maxwell's room, doesn't like to be left out. When the class takes a field trip to the wondrous Museum of Natural History, he sneaks in young Emma's backpack. As the class enters the museum, ever curious Fergus sneaks out, meets a new friend (fellow mouse) and explores the rocks, butterfly land, ocean life, and reptile's, (that the mice don't appreciate.) All at once, while playing in the dinosaur area, Fergus realizes he can't locate MIss Maxwell's class. This transitional chapter book invites young readers to share Fergus and Zeke's joy of natural history museums and friendship. Young readers will be attracted to the colorful illustrations that make the museum come alive, and the joy of a new friendship.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fergus, pet mouse of Miss Maxwell’s room, is disappointed that he is not invited on the class field trip and stows away in Emma’s backpack for the outing. In the lobby of the natural history museum, he meets fellow mouse Zeke, who guides him around exhibits of space rocks, butterflies, ocean life, reptiles, African animals, and dinosaurs. When it’s time to leave, Fergus smuggles Zeke, his new best friend, back to the school. The children are delighted to have two class pets now. Messner’s first book in this new series, told in four short chapters scaffolded by Ross’s humorous, eye-catching digital illustrations, will have early readers primed for Fergus and Zeke’s next adventure.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of my younger readers LOVE when they can read a chapter book. It doesn't have to be thick, it just has to have chapters to qualify. This story by Kate Messner fits that requirement. The book, Fergus and Zeke, is about a class pet named Fergus and a big adventure (yes, it's going to have something to do with Zeke.) When you start reading you feel like you have met a friend immediately in Fergus. His happiness about school and being the class pet is so sweet that you root for him throughout the story. I like the messages about friendship and being good but having fun too that I think kids will enjoy reading. Plus, Fergus is quite the snappy dresser!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fergus loves school and he loves being a part of Ms. Maxwell's class. He knows the routine and rules and enjoys it thoroughly. His class goes on a field trip and he's all ready to go, but he's not a part of the plan. Wanting badly to go, Fergus sneaks into a Emma's backpack. He meets Zeke, a mouse who lives at the museum, and their adventures and friendship begin.

Really enjoyed this book. Fergus is a great example of a student who navigates himself through the routines of a normal school day.

[Teresa Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fergus is the class pet mouse. He loves to participate in all the class activities. One day Miss Maxwell announces that the class will be going to the museum. Fergus can't wait to go! But wait! They are leaving without him! Fergus sneaks out of his cage and hitches a ride. The museum is all that Fergus imagines and he even makes a friend. This is a nice story with a basic overview of museum exhibits. It looks like it will be a new easy chapter series.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am delighted to review this early reader by one of my favorite writers, Kate Messner. There are numerous books out there involving classroom pets as main characters, which isn't surprising since it's a fun idea, one that children enjoy. But it takes something new to make the idea fresh. Messner's done a nice job here creating a likable character, Fergus, who wants to learn with the class, in a lot of ways, he reminds me of Betty Birney's Humphrey, but for younger readers. Fergus sneaks off with the class to visit a museum where he tries to follow the rules given by the teacher (which as a teacher I appreciated). But when he meets Zeke, who starts showing him around and encouraging him to break the rules, it's so exciting that Fergus can't help but slide down dinosaurs and climb on the moon rocks. But he gets so distracted that he loses track of his class and starts to panic a bit when he realizes he has lost his class. This is a fun early chapter book with cute characters and some STEM concepts slipped into the story.

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have no doubt that our young beginning chapter book readers will love meeting Fergus and Zeke and will be begging for more adventures in this new series. This book has everything I hope for in a beginning chapter book: an engaging and relatable story divided into short chapters, narrated in a light, entertaining, yet text-wise manageable way for early readers, and accompanied by charming colorful digital illustrations that break up the text and provide clues.

[Sherrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 13 of 15 read of the SSYRA Junior books for the 2018-2019 school year is a beginning chapter book. It is a story of a classroom pet mouse named Fergus that tags along on a field trip to a museum, where he makes a friend. Younger readers may be concerned when Fergus briefly looses track of his class (this not-so-young reader was VERY worried about the peril that faced Fergus), but fear not, things end well for Fergus and his friend.

[Taylor]

Title: Fergus and Zeke
Author: Kate Messner
Published: 2017
Age Appropriateness: 1st-3rd
Summary: This book tells the tale of 2 class pets, Fergus and Zeke! They go on a little adventure when the students leave for a field trip without them!
Review: This book was easy to read, and interesting! I think it would be best for beginning readers, and would be easy to read with minimal help. It could also be read aloud over a period of time.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun classroom pet story - what would you want to see if you went to a Museum of Natural History? What I like best about this book is the level it adds to a 3rd grade collection allowing for a classroom author study. It's there between the picture books and Marty McGuire or Ranger in Time. That could be an interesting October launch.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fergus is a class pet who loves being a part of Miss Maxwell's class. When the children go on a field trip to the Museum of Natural History, Fergus hitches a ride to join them. I liked Fergus and the tale of his adventure in the museum. It reminded me of Curious George and would be an excellent first chapter book for children who enjoyed those books or the show.

[Allison Turkish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this story is simply adorable and quite original for an in-between book, as are the following two books in the series.

Fergus is a sweet class pet who loves to do what the students do. I love how he hitched a ride to the field trip and says a banana is his buddy.

I think it’s neat how you don’t find out who Zeke is until halfway through the book.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (I liked it)

I can see how this book would be good for transitional readers who are getting ready for chapter books. Fergus and Zeke are cute but I had a hard time suspending my disbelief throughout the book. I do like how it shows some things that could happen on a field trip. It might be a good book to prepare students who have never been on a field trip or to a museum.

[Great Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fergus loves being the class pet mouse in Miss Maxwell’s classroom. When the class leaves for a field trip, Fergus finds a way to join the adventure to the Museum of Natural History and makes a new friend.
Reviewer 1

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific first reader with short chapters. Fergus is the mouse class pet and he goes on a grand adventure to the Natural History Museum where he meets Zeke. The text and illustration work really well in respect to helping a new reader but they also provide a fun story to enjoy.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A trip to a museum for a rule-following mouse leads to a new friend and lots of adventure. Charming transitional chapter book with adorable illustrations. There are enticing hints of more adventures to come.

[Kathy Broadnax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fergus is a classroom mouse. He uses his imagination as the children learn about different things during class. The class will be going on a field trip. Fergus goes along and while there he meets Zeke, a mouse of the museum.

Read the syory to find out what happens.

Very enjoyable.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute animal adventure featuring classroom mice. The illustrations are fun and really pop in full color. The mice have distinct personalities and it will be interesting to see what else they get up to. Great for readers transitioning from easier beginning readers into longer books.

[Trinity · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an adorable beginning chapter book. I loved the subtle humor in this book as well as the cute illustrations. I will feature this book to my first grade students. Parents will delight in reading this one with their children.

[Amber Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fergus and Zeke is a great new series by Kate Messner. The text was wonderful for beginning readers because it was simple, but speckled with larger vocabulary words. The illustrations filled the story and made this a book (and series) that will be well loved by beginning readers.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Terrific illustrations and simple text for beginning chapter book readers.
The class along with their mouse, Fergus, take a field trip to the museum. He meets a new friend, Zeke.
Young readers will enjoy the storyline.