Now in its seventh hardcover printing

Mouse works in the scullery at Dunston Manor, peeling onions, stirring the pots, sweeping the floors, and doing her best not to get into trouble with the fractious cook. Alone at night in the dark corner she calls home, she wishes for something wondrous to happen and dreams of a better life. But what chance does she have, a girl born with nothing, not even a proper name?

Then Mouse sees a puppet play and knows at once what she must do. Somehow she must learn to make the puppets dance. Somehow she must become the puppeteer’s apprentice. But the puppeteer is harboring some uncomfortable secrets, and Mouse doesn’t know whether she has the courage it takes to fulfill her dreams.

“A must read in the grand storytelling tradition of Lloyd Alexander and Karen Cushman.” Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“This wonderfully written tale holds mystery, suspense, and the realism that cones with a battle fought and won.” School Library Journal (starred review)

• An ALA Amelia Bloomer List Book
• An Ira Notable Book in Language Arts
• A Book of the Month Club Book
• Winner of the 2003 Teddy Children’s Book Award
• William Allen White Award Nominee
• South Carolina Book Award Nominee
• Keystone (Pennsylvania) Young Adult Book Award Nominee
• Sasquatch (Washington State) Award Nominee

Simon & Schuster Links:

Hardcover: http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?sid=183&pid=413888
Paperback: http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?sid=183&pid=500482