51 pages 1 hour read

James Patterson

Word of Mouse

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2016

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Important Quotes

Quotation Mark Icon

“We’re escaping from a place that’s foul and creepy and 100 percent HORRIBLE! It’s also the only home my family and I have ever known.”


(Chapter 1, Page 1)

On one hand the lab is “HORRIBLE,” but it is “the only home” the mice have ever had. This shows the complex emotions often associated with leaving one’s comfort zone. It parallels many real-world situations where people must leave behind familiar settings for a chance at betterment.

Quotation Mark Icon

“I’m guessing, however, that none of my ninety-six siblings are as stupendously scared as I am right now, because, basically, I’m the coward in the family.”


(Chapter 3, Page 13)

By comparing himself to his siblings, Isaiah articulates his feelings of inadequacy and invites reader empathy. He also sets the stage for his character development toward leadership and courage, and The Journey of Self-Discovery.

Quotation Mark Icon

“I figure I have a choice: A) I could turn around, run back to the Horrible Place, and turn myself in to the Long Coats. If I do that, I’ll be with my family again […] B) I can keep running. Find someplace to hide. Wait for my family to escape and find me.”


(Chapter 4, Pages 16-17)

This is a critical decision point for Isaiah and reflects a fundamental part of his character. Despite fear and insecurity, he will opt for the possibility of a better future rather than a return to the oppressive but known past. However, he still takes a passive role; he is still waiting for his family rather than trying to save them.

Related Titles

By James Patterson

Study Guide
logo

1st to Die

James Patterson

1st to Die

James Patterson

Plot Summary
logo

Alex Cross

James Patterson

Alex Cross

James Patterson

Study Guide
logo

Ali Cross

James Patterson

Ali Cross

James Patterson

Study Guide
logo

Along Came a Spider

James Patterson

Along Came a Spider

James Patterson

Plot Summary
logo

Ambush

James O. Born, James Patterson

Ambush

James O. Born, James Patterson

STUDY + TEACHING GUIDE
logo

Becoming Muhammad Ali

James Patterson, Kwame Alexander

Becoming Muhammad Ali

James Patterson, Kwame Alexander

Study Guide
logo

Cross Down

James Patterson

Cross Down

James Patterson

Study Guide
logo

Eruption

Michael Crichton, James Patterson

Eruption

Michael Crichton, James Patterson

Plot Summary
logo

Four Blind Mice

James Patterson

Four Blind Mice

James Patterson

Study Guide
logo

Holmes, Marple & Poe

James Patterson, Brian Sitts

Holmes, Marple & Poe: The Greatest Crime-Solving Team of the Twenty-First Century

James Patterson, Brian Sitts

Study Guide
logo

I Funny

James Patterson, Chris Grabenstein

I Funny: A Middle School Story

James Patterson, Chris Grabenstein

Plot Summary
logo

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment

James Patterson

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment

James Patterson

Plot Summary
logo

Med Head

James Patterson

Med Head

James Patterson

Study Guide
logo

Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life

Chris Tebbetts, James Patterson, Illustr. Laura Park

Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life

Chris Tebbetts, James Patterson, Illustr. Laura Park

Plot Summary
logo

Nevermore

James Patterson

Nevermore

James Patterson

Plot Summary
logo

Roses Are Red

James Patterson

Roses Are Red

James Patterson

Plot Summary
logo

Sam's Letters to Jennifer

James Patterson

Sam's Letters to Jennifer

James Patterson

Plot Summary
logo

Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas

James Patterson

Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas

James Patterson

Plot Summary
logo

The Big Bad Wolf

James Patterson

The Big Bad Wolf

James Patterson

Study Guide
logo

The House of Wolves

James Patterson, Mike Lupica

The House of Wolves

James Patterson, Mike Lupica