Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

A series of children's modern classic novels by renowned 20th century children's writers. All the titles in this series have the A Puffin Book logo, contemporary-style covers, and child-friendly endnotes.

Puffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every child. 
 
They are not like other rats. They work at night, in secret . . . 
 
Time is running out for Mrs Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children. She must move her family before the farmer destroys their home. But her youngest son, Timothy, lies ill with pneumonia and is too sick to be taken on such a perilous journey. 
 
Help comes in the unexpected form of a highly extraordinary breed of super-intelligent rats. The rats of NIMH come up with a brilliant solution to Mrs Frisby's problem but the rats are in danger too, and little by little Mrs Frisby discovers their extraordinary past . . . 
 
A thrilling fantasy adventure with heartwarming characters and some extraordinary rodents. Winner of the Newbery Medal.

Loyal, resourceful Mrs. Frisby . . . is the engaging heroine of this thoroughly engrossing, thought-provoking fantasy.

Robert C. O'Brien (1918-1973) was, in private life, Robert Leslie Conly, senior assistant editor of National Geographic Magazine where he worked for over twenty years. He was born in New York and lived most of his adult life in Virginia. He wrote three books for children, including the acclaimed MRS FRISBY AND THE RATS OF NIMH which won the prestigious Newbery Medal. His haunting young adult novel Z FOR ZACHARIAH was completed posthumously by his wife, Sally, and daughter, Jane, using the author's notes.

They are not like other rats. They work at night, in secret . . . 
 
Time is running out for Mrs Frisby. She must move her family of mice before the farmer destroys their home. But her youngest son, Timothy, is too ill to survive the move. 
 
Help comes in the unexpected form of a group of mysterious, super-intelligent rats. But the rats are in danger too, and little by little Mrs Frisby discovers their extraordinary past . . .

Robert C. O'Brien

Nuclear war has devastated America, except for the valley where Ann Burden has been living alone for over a year - until Loomis, a scientist in a radiation-proof suit, arrives. She hopes they will be companions but his behaviour towards her becomes increasingly threatening as he attacks her and then cuts off her food supply and tries to bring her under his control. Although there may be no one else alive, Ann steals his suit and leaves the valley in search of humanity. Z for Zachariah is a modern sci-fi classic for young adults.

Robert C. O'Brien

Books by Robert C. O'Brien

Series by Robert C. O'Brien

A Puffin Book

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter