The Borrowers

Norton, Mary. The Borrowers. 1952.

Plot: Fearful of the family's growing needs and limited resources, Arriety's parents finally allow her to join her father on one of his borrowing expeditions. The big house is dangerous for the little people, but it also contains riches such as soap, blotting paper, and food. Her first trip ends in disaster when a boy, one of the "human beans," sees the young Borrower. The boy is friendly, though, and offers the small folk gifts from the doll house in exchange for Arriety's company. Unfortunately, the head housekeeper does not have the understanding of the boy, and immediately tries to stop the theft at any cost. Arriety's family must venture into the unknown, where others Borrowers have gone and none returned, or risk the poisons, cats, dogs, and traps of the housekeeper.

Genre: Fantasy

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: The Littles, Small Persons with Wings, Jane on Her Own

Personal Thoughts: The first of a five-book series. Unusually for its time, the book presents a narration through an unreliable narrator - a grandmother who did not actually witness the events. The story is actually about her brother's meeting with the little people. Without giving away too much of the plot, the title includes some fairly modern concepts, such as the desire to break from tradition, independence, and a M. Night Shaymalan-esque ending.

At least four movies and a television series are based on the book, with varying degrees of success.