Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH - A Quick Book Summary
By Lily | Published 1 May 2023 | Goodreads Rating 4.16 | This post may contain affiliate links.
First published in 1971, this beloved classic by Robert C. O'Brien is a heartwarming and thrilling tale of bravery and friendship. Give your child a taste of the adventure that awaits them by sharing this book summary and encouraging them to read "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" in its entirety.
In "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH," follow the journey of a widowed field mouse named Mrs. Frisby and her struggle to move her family to a new home before the farmer's plow destroys their summer quarters. Mrs. Frisby seeks the help of a group of highly intelligent rats who have developed extraordinary intelligence and skills due to being part of experiments at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
“By teaching us how to read, they had taught us how to get away.”
The Main Characters: Who are they and what are they like?
The main character is Mrs. Frisby, the wife of Jonathan Frisby who died the previous year. She has four children – Martin, Teresa, Cynthia, and Timothy. Timothy Frisby, her youngest son, is very ill and unable to move to their summer quarters. Mrs. Frisby is a strong and caring character determined to protect her family.
The mysterious rats of Nimh were originally ordinary rats used for experiments at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). They are an extraordinary breed of highly intelligent creatures with skills like reading, agriculture, and electricity use. After they escaped from the laboratory, they lived secretly in a colony under a rosebush near the Fitzgibbon farm.
The rats are led by Nicodemus, an older white mouse, and include a young rat named Justin, who becomes a close friend of Mrs. Frisby. Nicodemus is the wise and respected leader of the rats. He agrees to help Mrs. Frisby move our of their winter house to save Timothy.
Mr. Ages is a wise old mouse and friend of the Frisby family. He is a skilled herbalist who gives Timothy medicine to help him recover. He cautions Mrs. Frisby about the mysterious rats.
The owl is a mysterious character. He knows more than he lets on about the rats and their magical powers. The owl agrees to help Mrs Frisby because of a “debt that can never be repaid” hinting at a secret history with the rats. The owl provides transportation for Mrs Frisby using his talons to carry her to the rats' colony and other locations.
The Plot: What the story’s about
The story revolves around Mrs. Frisby, the widow of Jonathan Frisby, who must move her family to their summer quarters before the farmer's plow destroys their winter home. However, her youngest son, Timothy, is sick and cannot be moved. Desperate for help, Mrs. Frisby seeks the advice of a wise old owl, who tells her to seek assistance from the rats of NIMH. These rats are survivors of a group that escaped from a laboratory called NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) and have gained human skills and intelligence.
The rats, led by a rat named Nicodemus, have built an elaborate underground colony in the farmer's vegetable garden. They have tapped into the electricity grid and live a comfortable life with electric lights, a library, and even a vacuum cleaner. They agree to help Mrs. Frisby and her family by moving her house to a safer location. In return, Mrs. Frisby helps the rats by warning them of a plan by the farmer, Mr. Fitzgibbon, to exterminate them.
Together with the rats, Mrs. Frisby executes a successful house move and saves her family. However, she also learns the secret of NIMH and the reason behind the rats' intelligence. They are determined to leave their lifestyle of dependence on human resources and establish an independent farming colony in Thorn Valley. The story ends with the rats leaving for their new home, and Mrs. Frisby and her family settling into their summer quarters.
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Key Themes: What lessons can be learned from the book
This book explores themes of friendship, courage, perseverance, and the importance of family. Mrs. Frisby's determination to save her family, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, teaches young readers the importance of never giving up.
Animal rights and the ethical treatment of animals are also important themes in the book. The story raises questions about the morality of human experimentation on animals and the consequences of these actions. The rats' desire to become self-sufficient and live independently of humans reflects their desire for autonomy, dignity, and respect.
Why Kids Will Love It
Young readers will be captivated by the adventure, suspense, and heartwarming tale of a brave mouse and her extraordinary friends. The story sparks the imagination with its vivid descriptions of the rats' underground world and the challenges they face. The book is suitable for children aged 8-12, as the language is accessible and the story is engaging.
Fun Facts about the Book and Author
"Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" was published in 1971 and was a Newbery Medal Winner in 1972.
The book was adapted into an animated film called "The Secret of NIMH" in 1982.
Robert C. O'Brien's real name was Robert Leslie Conly. He used a pen name to keep his writing career separate from his work as a senior editor at National Geographic.
O'Brien's daughter, Jane Leslie Conly, continued the story of the rats of NIMH in two sequels: "Racso and the Rats of NIMH" (1986) and "R-T, Margaret, and the Rats of NIMH" (1990).
The original illustrations in the book were done by Zena Bernstein.
RELATED: Download the printables for Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH to build reading comprehension!
Book Reviews from Amazon
Loved by my son and recommended to his siblings
I purchased this book for my younger children. My nine-year-old son read it with his teacher at school. He loved it so much he wanted his sisters to read it too! I love when my children are excited about reading and learning! What a special thing to share with each other! – Kristina
Great read for all ages
This book was a great book. I'm not going to spoil anything, but there is a great climax to the story! I am 13 years old and I recommend this book to adults as well. - KiraM
An old favorite
A solid story with exciting twists and turns that means my 6-year-old kept pestering me to continue reading. A good story with which to illustrate the importance of kindness, family, and friendship as well as reading and problem-solving skills. An impressive imaginative narrative that supports the theory of mind development (my 10-year-old is on the autistic spectrum), and poses questions on morality and civilization. It was a lovely experience sharing one of my personal favorite books as a child with my sons. – Mel
Brilliant, intelligent read for smart kids
Fantastic story, great to have rats as positive characters for children to see and not the usual predictable bad guys, thieves, mean, dirty vermin. We owe a lot to rats, they give a lot to us by giving up their little lives in labs. They didn't start the plague either gerbils did! They make intelligent friendly pets and it's good for children to see them in a better role as wise rats, love this book. – Dani
Better than the movie
Always loved this movie but the book far exceeds it. Great writing! - eleveneleven
Overall, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is a good book that continues to captivate young children with its engaging storytelling and its exploration of important themes. It is a timeless classic that remains relevant today, and it is a valuable addition to any child's library.