ALA Booklist

Fergus the mouse loves being Miss Maxwell's classroom pet; he listens well and follows along with all the children's activities. When he hears about an upcoming field trip, he decides he will go, too. But how? He stows away in Emma's backpack, but when she leaves her bag in the coatroom at the museum, he's not sure what to do. Thankfully, a friendly museum mouse, Zeke, spots Fergus and offers to show him around. The mice explore everything, but Fergus gets scared when he loses sight of the children. The two must race to the coatroom before the children leave. Zeke wants Fergus to stay in the museum, but Fergus suggests Zeke go to school with him. A sweet friendship develops in this early chapter book. Messner's text is approachable and creative and builds suspense that will keep readers excited until the end. Ross' illustrations expand the text and breathe life into two adorable mice and the museum experience. This first book in a new series is sure to be a hit.

Horn Book

Class pet Fergus, a little purple mouse, is dejected when he learns the class is taking a field trip to the natural history museum without him. Fergus stows away in a student's backpack and has his own museum adventures with new mouse friend Zeke--climbing up a dinosaur skeleton, sliding down an elephant's trunk, etc. Action-filled digital illustrations appear on every spread.

Kirkus Reviews

A class pet decides not to miss the class field trip to the Museum of Natural History. Fergus is a model student in Miss Maxwell's class. He follows directions, listens quietly, does his math without looking at anyone else's paper, and always chips in to tidy up. But he may not get to go on the class trip, as Fergus is a mouse. At the last minute, he sneaks into Emma's backpack and continues following the teacher's directions, including pairing up for the day…with a banana. Although the banana won't come with Fergus when it's time to explore, Zeke will. He's a museum mouse who shows Fergus all the sights and is his buddy for the day. But when Fergus and Zeke overlook the human rule to not touch the exhibits, will it be Fergus' downfall? Will he be able to reunite with his class and get back to school? And what about his new friend, Zeke? Messner's first in a new early-reader series (Fergus and Zeke will visit the school science fair next) is divided into four chapters and meant for those who are confident enough in their reading abilities to begin to make the transition to chapter books. Ross' digital illustrations add interest and break up the text, giving readers a mouse's-eye view of the museum and its fascinating exhibits. Miss Maxwell is a blonde, white woman with a diverse class. Here's to more adventures for Fergus and Zeke! (Early reader 6-9)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Classroom pet Fergus the mouse can-t resist sneaking along for a trip to the natural history museum, where he befriends another mouse named Zeke. In a high-spirited series opener set over four chapters, Messner (the Ranger in Time books) lets readers live out their Night at the Museum fantasies through Fergus and Zeke-s explorations, as they clamber over lion and dinosaur exhibits and generally disregard any -no touching- rules (-Those are people rules!- crows Zeke). Ross-s (Grimelda: The Very Messy Witch) energetic full-color cartoons run wild with the museum-as-playground theme, and Zeke-s decision to join Fergus in the classroom neatly sets up their next adventure. Ages 5-8. Author-s agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary. Illustrator-s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (June)