Mouse (The Five Ancestors Series #6)

Little street urchin ShaoSu has always wanted to belong. His small size makes him an easy target for bullies and baddies and this little “mouse” always needs a place to hide. When he is befriended by Hok and Ying, he thinks he has found a new family, and eagerly tags along as they continue on their travels. What he doesn’t know is that his new friends are the most wanted criminals in China, and their adventures will land him in the middle of a battle not only for their lives, but for the future of China itself.

As the characters rush towards a dramatic conclusion to the Five Ancestors series in this, the penultimate title, Jeff Stone has again created a marvelous story, a compelling voice, and a ton of exciting action.

Little street urchin ShaoSu has always wanted to belong. His small size makes him an easy target for bullies and baddies and this little “mouse” always needs a place to hide. When he is befriended by Hok and Ying, he thinks he has found a new family, and eagerly tags along as they continue on their travels. What he doesn’t know is that his new friends are the most wanted criminals in China, and their adventures will land him in the middle of a battle not only for their lives, but for the future of China itself.

As the characters rush towards a dramatic conclusion to the Five Ancestors series in this, the penultimate title, Jeff Stone has again created a marvelous story, a compelling voice, and a ton of exciting action.

Children's Literature

ShaoShu is known as Little Mouse because of his small stature and his ability to squeeze his body into very small spaces. He agrees to stowaway as a spy on General Tonglong's boat to assist his new friends Hok and Ying in saving China from the evil Cobra and Mantis who have the emperor under their control. When ShaoShu is discovered by General Tonglong, the Mantis, he must agree to become Tonglong's spy in order to survive and protect his friends. ShaoShu steals a valuable ancient key from Tonglong's father's tomb and retrieves armament information from General HaiZhe's office. In each instance, ShaoShu is left to fend for himself in a dangerous situation, but through his observations and physical abilities, the Little Mouse is shown to be worthy in spite of his size and strength. Fugitives Hok and Ying, along with Malao and Fu, are busy saving Ying's mother, with the assistance of the Dutch ship captain, Charles. They, too, are caught up in the struggles between the various warlords for control of China. This sixth book of "The Five Ancestors" series ends with ShaoShu setting off on another adventure in the quest to save China from the control of the Cobra and the Mantis. Reviewer: Shirley Nelson

Jeff Stone practices the martial arts daily. He has worked as a photographer, an editor, a maintenance man, a technical writer, a ballroom dance instructor, a concert promoter, and a marketing director for companies that design schools, libraries, and skateboard parks. Like the heroes of The Five Ancestors series, Mr. Stone was adopted when he was an infant. He began searching for his birthmother when he was 18; he found her 15 years later. The author lives with his wife and two children in Carmel, IN.


From the Hardcover edition.