Tale of Despereaux, The

Despereaux is a mouse with big ears and a love of music. He also happens to be in love with a princess. Banished by his clan, and even by his own father, Despereaux must find a way to escape the perils of a rat-infested dungeon to rescue the princess. Winner of the John Newbery Medal, the novel continues in the tradition of the fairy tale where good prevails over evil and the unlikely hero conquers his fears to restore the kingdom.