A comfortable indoor life for wild mouse siblings Violet and Jobie, living in the walls of a house, comes to an end when their human cohabitants capture and release them into a nearby state park. The mice must quickly learn the basics of survival, but the learning curve is steep and the dangers (i.e., predators) are abundant. Fortunately, an aging mouse named Zolian soon takes the siblings under his wing. While Jobie finds a group of mouse friends and eventually a mate, Violet finds a like-minded curious, adventurous companion in Zolian himself. When Zolian disappears one day, Violet suspects he has gone to witness the migration of the sandhill cranes: a final adventure at the end of his days. Hitching a ride on the back of a rabbit, Violet catches up with her friend in time to share a final, majestic experience. A sophisticated, bittersweet ending sees Violet and Jobie following divergent paths. Although their sibling bond was strong, their individual identities—and fates—means their futures will be very different. Charming spot illustrations accompany an animal fantasy grounded in realistic mouse behavior yet rich in human emotion.  (Ages 7-11)

“A gem of a story. ”—Booklist (starred review)

“A marvelous heroic journey. ”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“A narrative centering family bonds and new experiences. ”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Newbery Medal winner Lynne Rae Perkins introduces Violet and Jobie, two house mice exiled to the wilderness, in an exceptional read-aloud and read-alone for fans of Skunk and Badger, Nuts to You, and classic animal stories such as Stuart Little. This thrilling—and funny!—animal adventure explores themes of friendship, family, bravery, and the meaning of home. Violet & Jobie in the Wild is illustrated in black-and-white throughout by the author.

Brother and sister mice Violet and Jobie live a cozy and comfortable life in a humans’ house, where food is plentiful, and the television is both educational and entertaining. In fact, Violet, tucked safely behind a book in the bookcase, loves to watch nature programs along with the young boy of the family. The boy’s mother, however, isn’t the biggest fan of mice.

When Violet and Jobie are caught in a trap, the young boy pleads with his mother to release them, and she agrees. Now Violet and Jobie find themselves in tall grasses, under tall trees, surrounded by all kinds of unfamiliar scents and sounds and creatures. In short, they find themselves in the wild. How will they survive?

This short, generously illustrated novel is packed with action, humor, heart, friendship, and surprises. Award-winning author Lynne Rae Perkins’s Violet & Jobie in the Wild will resonate with readers who love books about animals.