The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail (2013)

The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail is a 2013 children's novel written by Richard Peck and illustrated Kelly Murphy. The book is set in the same universe as Secrets at Sea. The novel is suitable as reading for grades four through six.

Set in Victorian England, the story features a mouse who tries to discover his origins by asking Queen Victoria.

Plot

A mouse in London in search of information about his identity ends up at Windsor Castle.

Characters

Mouse Minor/Prince Ludovic - The protagonist, a white mouse who was born in London England. He lives in the Royal Mews next door to Buckingham Palace.

Yeomice - The Captain of the Guard of Mouse Minor's father.

Aunt Marigold – Mouse Minor's aunt.

The Mouse Queen – The Queen of the mice of the United Kingdom. She is Mouse Minor's grandmother.

Queen Victoria - The human Queen of the United Kingdom. In the book, she is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee.

Fitzherbert and Trevor - They are the bullies of mouse minor. Fitzherbert is the son of the Mouse Permanent Superintendent of the Mews, while Trevor is the son of the Mouse Controller of Stores.

Ian

Prince Bruno Havarti

Princess Ena – The Queen's granddaughter.

Prince Albert

B. Chiroptera

Queen Ann

Pegasus

The Bat Chancellor

The Mouse Princess – (Uncredited) The Mouse queen's daughter. She is the wife of the Captain of the Guard. She gives birth to Mouse Minor, but dies shortly afterwards.

Reception

Critical reception for The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail was positive. Commonsensemedia rated the book highly, stating that "In-jokes and historical tidbits will delight older kids and give reading-aloud adults the giggles."

Awards

Best of lists

2014 3x3 Magazine Annual No.11 3x3 Picture Book Show (Honorable Mention) People Magazine

2013 Notable Children's Books, The New York Times

2013 Best Books for Children Kirkus Reviews

2013 Ten Best Books for Children, People Magazine

Starred reviews

2013 Starred Review, School Library Journal

2013 Starred Review, Publishers Weekly

2013 Starred Review, Booklist

Illustration competitions

2014 The Illustrators 56 Travel Show

2013 Society of Illustrators 56th Annual Competition (Book Category)

2013 Original Art, Society of Illustrators

2013 Gold Medal (Children's Market Category), Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles