Perloo the Bold

by Avi

Newbery Medalist Avi presents a most unlikely hero in this compelling fantasy. Now repackaged with a great new look.

A scholarly, shy member of the rabbit-like Montmers, Perloo is content sipping myrtle tea and reading his history books in his warm burrow. Until the day Perloo's quiet life is interrupted by a mysterious summons from the Montmer leader. What follows is an incredible journey that will take Perloo over snowy mountains, through underground tunnels, and into enemy territory - and will alter history forever.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens, Adventure, Animals, Middle Grade

225 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1998

About the author

Avi is a pen name for Edward Irving Wortis, but he says, "The fact is, Avi is the only name I use." Born in 1937, Avi has created many fictional favorites such as The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Nothing but the Truth, and the Crispin series. His work is popular among readers young and old.

Reviews

[Chlo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perloo the Bold would go on my Top 10 list of all-time favorite books - for nostalgia, if not for a wonderful story. I read this over and over growing up. This story is not well-known, and is not considered one of Avi's greats, but should be. It's about standing up for yourself and your friends, and believing in yourself. This should be on young reader's lists, everywhere.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has stayed firmly lodged in my mind because of the name. Perloo. You can't forget a book about a bunny named Perloo, it's just not possible.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Upon its release in 1998, book review publications compared Perloo the Bold to Brian Jacques's Redwall series, a natural touchstone for a story about anthropomorphic animals with deep cultural histories. The Montmers are a hare-like people continually at odds with the coyote-like Felbarts, but Perloo has little to do with that strife as the story opens. He lives in Glentick Dell, apart from the Central Tribe Burrow inhabited by all the other Montmers. Perloo spends his days in reflective study of Montmer history. This put him in favorable standing with Jolaine the Good, the tribe's granter, during Perloo's few visits to the Central Tribe Burrow. While others shrugged off the implications of history, Perloo engaged the Montmer leader in conversations about it, developing their mutual understanding of the past and of the future the tribe appears headed for. This friendship compels Lucabara, the granter's primary assistant, to seek out Perloo at home with a message: Jolaine is on her deathbed and requests his presence. Hesitant as the meek scholar is to leave his cozy dwelling, Perloo gathers himself and goes with Lucabara.

"Oh, the wonders of history! If you knew the past you could predict the future."

—Perloo the Bold, P. 30

The Central Tribe Burrow is chaotic when Perloo and Lucabara arrive. Jolaine's son, Berwig, is in line for the throne after his mother passes on, and he's nervous about anyone speaking with her who could interfere with that. Roundabout measures are required to sneak past the guards into Jolaine's chamber, where the dying granter reveals why she summoned Perloo: Berwig is not fit to rule, and Jolaine wishes to deviate from tradition and name Perloo as granter. Perloo is bewildered by her confidence in him; he wants nothing to do with political power. Jolaine tells him that if Berwig is granter he will charge headfirst into war with the Felbarts, resulting in countless unnecessary deaths. When Berwig's soldiers bang at the chamber door, it's too late for Perloo to dither any longer. Will he accept being named granter?

"To resist a challenge is to resist life itself."

—Perloo the Bold, P. 173

"Life is given. The rest one gives oneself."

—Perloo the Bold, P. 54

Perloo may legally be in charge, but until Jolaine's signed proclamation is made public, Berwig has a chance to kill his rival and pretend Jolaine named her son granter in the traditional manner. Lucabara flees with poor, befuddled Perloo, using every trick she knows to keep ahead of the guards. Berwig, prompted by his machiavellian adviser Senyous, issues an alert to all Montmers: Jolaine the Good is dead, and Perloo murdered her. He should be slain or apprehended on sight. Escaping the Central Tribe Burrow, Lucabara guides Perloo through a howling snowstorm on Rasquich Mountain, but they are captured by the Felbarts. Weyanto, packmaster of the tribe, greets the two fugitives with aggressive suspicion: were they sent to learn if the Felbarts are ripe for conquest? War seems imminent, but Perloo may be able to avoid it if he can prove he is the rightful granter and Berwig has assumed power illegally. The only evidence is the proclamation Jolaine signed, ripped in two when Lucabara and Perloo fled her chamber. Can they reattach the torn parchment and halt Berwig's war before the land is soaked in the blood of dying soldiers?

"If you learn to know your enemy before you hate him, you may learn not to have an enemy."

—Perloo the Bold, P. 100

"Truth is often painful to speak but soothing to live."

—Perloo the Bold, P. 225

Simpler and far less dense than a Redwall novel, Perloo the Bold is an engaging fantasy for kids. What we learn of the land's history is limited, though I'm interested by Mogwat the Magpie, Great Teaching Bird of the Montmers. Her wise maxims, sprinkled throughout this book, are compiled at the end. Not all are there, however, at least not in the edition I read; the one about resisting a challenge is absent. I wouldn't rank Perloo the Bold with Avi's great works such as The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Wolf Rider, and Catch You Later, Traitor, but it's a well-paced story with a setting that could have been explored in at least a few companion novels. I enjoyed Perloo the Bold.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book while roaming a used book store with a friend. I needed some light reading in the next week and finished a bunch of Kate diCamillo books over the winter. Never heard of Avi but my partner (who is a early childhood education graduate) informed me that the author was reputable.

I enjoyed the book from the beginning. It was colorful story about a rodent-rabbit type race called montmer and it's government. There were highly thrilling scenes of nature in Lucabara's escape, the blistering cold mountains, and dimly lit caves of the the Felbart's and Montmers.

My criticisms start with the end of the fight between Senyous and Perloo. You can tell the author is really trying to hurry the resolve. Perloo beats Senyous into submission with Snowballs? Berwig cowers to Perloo with the defeat, then they are set free with hardly any complications?

Perloo's last decision to over throw the government of his tribe was the most baffling in the end? What happened to the leaders he once admired? Why the sudden change of political ideas?

[Luci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I randomly picked this short children's-young adult (YA) novel up at a local Little Library. My copy is pretty well handled so must have been read numerous times. Thankfully, someone released it and now that I have read it, I feel the need to extend my gratitude.

Thank you!

I've never heard of the author before but this novel falls into the same category as Watership Down and Animal Farm. Maybe even 1984. Very applicable to today's (2025) United States' political climate: Dictatorship, random incarcerations due to hearsay and dissension, wars solely based on ego stroking, internal conflicts and back biting affecting the general population, self aggrandizement to the detriment of others, rewriting legal documents to gain power and control the masses.. on and on. (There are some laugh out loud moments, needed comic relief!)

Originally published in 1998, it's only 225 pages long, written for kids but extremely thought provoking and a reality check, all in the guise of a short novel of critters.

Highly recommend. 5 stars.

[C.mcnamara]

When I was little, I used to be terrified of bees. I thought that if I got stung, that I would die from one of these yellow jacketed killers. I was afraid of them because on day my two brothers stepped on a bee hive in the woods and all the bees stung them and got stuck in their hair. It took almost a day to get all the bees off of them. I used to always run from them but one day I didn’t run, I just stood still and waited for the bee to leave. . Like me, in Perloo the bold by Avi, Perloo doesn’t run, he stopped running so he could stop something bigger than himself. Perloo was scared of getting caught and hurt by senyous and Berwig so he kept running away from them. Perloo was also terrified of becoming Granter because he was worried that if he became Granter that something would go wrong while he was in power because he was forced to face senyous and end their short run in the throne. Perloo slowly gains confidence in him self, to stop running in fear and stand up for what is right. Perloo learns that you shouldn’t run from your fears. You should face them head on. Perloo the Bold is a fast moving book for people who like action and adventure.

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my JAM when I was a tween. I loved it. But reading it again, now, years later . . . it's, um . . . it's not very good. :-P Hence the lowering of the rating by three full stars.

Oh, well. I guess not all childhood favorites will always stand the test of time.

[Margaret Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A kind of weird but still comforting childhood read.

[Mary]

Avi is so dependably good that choosing one of his books to read with my class sometimes feels like cheating. Perloo follows the story of a society of rabbit-like creatures, the Montmers, who, with the loss of their queen, face not only a crisis of leadership but a crisis of identity. Two factions emerge among them - those who believe that they are ready to choose their own leader and exercise more independence and freedom, and those who believe that they are ill-prepared to exercise those freedoms and need a strong warrior to lead and protect them. Birwig, the son of the recently deceased queen and a noted warrior becomes the leader of the latter group, while Perloo, a scholar and historian, is reluctantly thrust into the position of leading the former. As war with their arch enemies, the Felbarts, looms on the horizon, Perloo and Birwig both march to meet them and to decide the future of the Montmer society.

Despite the fact that the book was written pre-9/11, themes of freedom versus security will resonate with modern readers. I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of the conversations my students engaged in while we were reading this book.

[Amy Banker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happened upon this book when I was at a Scholastic book fair at school in 2nd grade (God, how I miss those!) and after reading it once I was hooked. There are a handful of books that I had as a kid that I used to read over and over, and this was one of them. The story is about a Montmer named Perloo who prefers to stay shut up in his house with his books, blankets and tea, and has almost no friends. I used to make myself chamomile tea and sit wrapped in a blanket, imagining that I was there with him.

This review might be a bit misleading as to the quality of the book, because the biggest reason why I love it is the nostalgia I have for reading it. I do know that it was one of the first books that persuaded me to become the extreme bibliophile that I am!

[Sarah Eagle · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The reluctant hero” trope is the first thing this book tells you it will be doing. While it does borrow from the world building style of Watership Down, it is wholly original, both in plot and character building. The twists and turns between the antagonists’ multiple schemes are a joy to watch. They were the strength of the book. The multiple real-world implications of Berwig’s politics and Senyous’ behind-the-scenes string pulling are a boon to the work.
However the weakest character was the protagonist, Perloo. What prevents me from giving this book 3.5 stars is Goodreads itself. What prevents me from giving this 5 Stars is that usually the Reluctant Hero realizes they have no choice and take up the challenge because it aligns with their ideals...and this book took it to an exhausting degree—Perloo is being reluctant and whiny during THE CLIMAX.
Also the ending comes a bit out of left field, which robs the previous scenes and dynamics a little bit.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avi and I have a long history together. I remember reading his books even back in 7th grade, but he's written so very many, that throughout the years I constantly find new ones to read! I picked this up second hand in a bookstore when I saw the author's name on the cover.

I really love the world he's built in this book. I saw it referred to as a simplified version of Redwall, and I agree it's a good comparison. He takes time to build a culture and a society for his rabbit-like beings, and I really enjoyed that their traditional historical figure of wisdom, Mogwat the Magpie, was also a historical figure for their enemies.

My only problem is that this book has a disappointing conclusion that I wish had been explored more. It felt more like the author was trying to rush and wrap up everything in a neat little bow, and it felt like a cheap ending to me without much thought put into it.

[Mouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's okay or mostly good.

I've only read this book as an adult, but I think it's a decent book for children, whether they read it on their own or with a parent, sibling, etc. It may also be enjoyable for the parents or sibling, even if they're not in the target demographic.
Adults on their own would probably not find it good for much beyond nostalgic purposes.

It's not the most well-written story of all time, but for the most part, it's not bad. The biggest issue I have is Perloo winning is basically because the other characters against him give him, even when it seems uncharacteristic for them to do so. It's not very satisfying and is the biggest flaw of the book. That, and it didn't seem great that Perloo decided he just wasn't going to lead because they didn't need a leader. It felt like a lot of their progress lost meaning.

[Julie Akeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avi is one of my favorite writers, and Perloo the Bold is like a combo of Redwall Abbey and The Hobbit. Perloo, who reminds me of myself, wants to stay wrapped up in his burrow and read his books. It is at this point that I am reminded of Bilbo since they are the same types. I'm comfy and I'm not going to move mentality. But he gets a summons...his leader wants him to become the next leader...WHAT!!! How that all comes about is for you to find out. This book is for readers about 9 through 12 years of age, but I'm 41 so really this book is for anyone who loves Hobbit like characters, though they are a race of rabbit like creatures with some as warriors, Perloo is the odd one out who doesn't want to do anything but ends up doing some extraordinary things for his tribe.

[Shazza Maddog · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seemed a bit slower than the other Avi books I've read in the past - but it's been at least 30 years since I read one, so maybe my tastes have just changed.

Perloo is a rabbity creature known as a Montmer when he gets a request to come for a meeting with the Montmer leader, Jolaine, through a Montmer warrior, Lucabara. When Perloo arrives, he finds Jolaine on her death bed and that she wants him to be the next leader of the Montmers. Unfortunately, Jolaine has a large bully of a son who expects to inherit the leadership position - and Berwig's willing to murder to accomplish his goal.

There are a lot of mishaps and misunderstandings but some fun scenes in this story. Still, it took me a lot longer to read it than it should have, considering its length/writing style.

[Britt Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun and thought provoking children’s book. I loved all of the proverbs like "If you learn to know your enemy before you hate him, you may learn not to have an enemy." "Truth is often painful to speak but soothing to live." The story is about a history nerd being thrust into a very active political role in desperate times

It’s a quick read. You can just enjoy it- but can also easily discuss it. We happened to have recently read emmerson’s essay “Self reliance” and compared and contrasted individualism in the two works. Imho perloo gets “ be yourself” right. There are still sacrifices and responsibility- but the world needs you to be brave enough to sacrifice and exercise responsibility in your unique way.

[Jessica Sedgwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

My actual review score would be 4.5 stars.

I feel like I'm just a tad too old to have read this book which makes my score not quite 5 stars. I feel the writing was a bit childish. But then again, it's a children's novel. Needless to say, I enjoyed the heck out of this little book. It was fast paced, the characters were fun, and the story was well paced.
I think that, for kids, this is a good book to get started with reading. It's a good book to fall in love with reading with.
Plus, the story had a good messaged. Most books don't have that anymore. Not often anyways.

[Neal Fandek · Rating 4 out of 5]

YA, small children's book, adult fiction - what's the difference? Who cares? A good read is a good read, and this is a good read. Kind of miraculous, really, in its depiction of completely self-sustained animal societies, war and greed, treachery and honesty. The characters are perhaps a bit two-dimensional, and Perloo himself is a bit flat, but that's a quibble. This is a very good book be you age 9 or 90.

[Yasmin Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fine book suitable for young children, definitely more middle-grade than YA. Nothing spectacular, with a ‘Bilbo-Baggins like reluctant hero, in a fairly unchallenging plot.

If I, as an adult reading random animal-fiction, had to sum it up I would go with “a child re-enacting a watered down version of Game of Throne’s War of the Five Kings with their Sylvanian Family toys.”

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avi has written a fun book with comically bumbling villains and an unlikely hero. He creates an interesting world populated with Montmers and Felbarts, animal tribes with a long history of conflict. What happens when a Montmer who loves books and history is thrust into the role of a leader? I enjoyed the sayings of Mogwat the Magpie as well.

[Jennifer Wadman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hoped this might be an accessible read for listeners who love Redwall and Green Ember series. This book falls so short in terms of dialogue, character development, descriptive language that leads to imagination.

[Mary Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very charming story about getting power and different ways to respond to that power.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun story about how being true to yourself is the only way to live. I definitely recommend this book to middle schoolers and anyone who needs a reminder to embrace your uniqueness.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reminded me of Watership Down. It was very enjoyable, good for young adults.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son, who is five, enjoyed the book. It was a little political and slow, but inspite of that he enjoyed the story.

[Joua · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice little read if you enjoy a little adventure!

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

So it's a "kid's" book ... but very well done, and useful homilies for everyone. The cover image of Perloo is priceless.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like avis books about animals a lot better than her books about humans

[Celeste Hansel]

paper

[Elena Davila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Really didn't want to read it because I don't really like animal stories like this, but it was so well done.