51 pages • 1 hour read
James PattersonWord of Mouse
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2016A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Background
Author Context: James Patterson, Chris Grabenstein, and Joe Sutphin
Word of Mouse was created by three people: writers James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein and illustrator Joe Sutphin. All three men are experienced in children’s storytelling, and they aim to blend humor, conflict, and heart in their work.
Patterson is an American author known for his thrillers and mystery novels. He is best known for his Alex Cross series, which began with Along Came a Spider (1993) and now has over 30 entries. His writing is characterized by short chapters and fast-paced plots. In addition to numerous awards, his works frequently feature on bestseller lists, and he holds the Guinness World Record for most #1 New York Times bestselling books by a single author. In addition to thrillers and mysteries, Patterson has also ventured into young adult fiction and romance. Many of his books, such as Word of Mouse, are written in collaboration with other authors.
Grabenstein is one of Patterson’s collaborators. They began their partnership after working together in advertising. Besides Word of Mouse, they also co-authored the Treasure Hunters (2013-2023), Max Einstein (2019-2021), Jacky Ha-Ha (2020-2023), Katt-Dogg (2019-2021), I Funny (2012-2018), and House of Robots (2014-2017) series, in addition to several other standalone books. Grabenstein published his first novel, Tilt-a-Whirl, in 2005. It received praise from The New York Times, a starred review from Library Journal, and marked the beginning of his adult Ceepack Mysteries series. He won the Agatha Award for Best Children’s/Young Adult Novel four times and the Anthony Award twice.
Sutphin is an illustrator and cartoonist known for his work on children’s books and graphic novels. His love of nature and wildlife has profoundly influenced his art, and much of his work focuses on animals. In addition to Word of Mouse, his work includes Andrew Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga (2008-2014), the graphic novel adaptation of Richard Adams’s Watership Down (2023), and an illustrated version of Helen Taylor’s Little Pilgrim’s Progress (2021), among others.
Social Context: The Animal Welfare Act of 1966
The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) Hailey references in Chapter 46 is a federal law enacted in 1966 regulating animal treatment. The legislation was prompted by public outcry about stolen pets being sold into research, beginning with a 1965 article in LIFE magazine. Public pressure led Congress to protect pet animals and animals used in research and exhibition.
The AWA originally focused on regulating the sale and transportation of animals. Over the years, the Act expanded to extend protections for a wider variety of animals and more specific regulations concerning animal housing, handling, sanitation, food, and water provisions. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) enforces the AWA. Despite its wide-reaching implications and benefits, the Animal Welfare Act is not without its criticisms. One major limitation is the exclusion of certain animals, including birds, rats and mice bred for use in research, and cold-blooded animals. These exclusions leave gaps in protection and represent a significant concern for animal rights advocates. Enforcement is another significant challenge. The USDA is often underfunded and understaffed, leading to infrequent inspections and, occasionally, substandard enforcement of the Act. This results in inconsistencies and, in some cases, failures to adequately protect animals under the Act’s jurisdiction.
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