Fergus and Zeke

by Kate Messner

Published 24 July 2018
“The four chapters of this easy reader zip right along with a straightforward, breezy plot and two charming, mischievous mice leading the way.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Fergus loves being the class pet. When the teacher plans a field trip to a museum, Fergus doesn’t want to miss the fun, so he stows away in a backpack and sets off for an adventure. The museum is a little overwhelming — huge and full of exciting things to see. Luckily, Fergus meets a new friend, Zeke, who knows the ropes, and together they explore everything from moon rocks to butterflies to a giant dinosaur skeleton. But when it’s time for the bus to leave, will Fergus make it back to school to take his place as class pet once more?

Charming classroom pets invert expectations with a clever science project that puts a student through her paces.

Fergus and Zeke love being the class pets in Miss Maxwell’s classroom, and they do everything the students do — listening at storytime, painting masterpieces during art class, and keeping their own special journals. But when it’s time for the school science fair, the mice aren’t sure just how to get involved. Lucy wants to time them as they run through a maze, but they want to do an experiment, not be an experiment. Then Zeke comes up with a great idea: since Lucy is training animals for her experiment, maybe he and Fergus can do the same thing! Unfortunately, the only animals available are the students themselves. Can Fergus and Zeke turn the tables and train Lucy in time for the science fair?