Bernard Pepperlin

“Bernard and his newfound friends—revolutionary rats, wise-cracking cats, and coffee-chugging squirrels, to name a few—will delight and inspire readers of all ages!”    —Erin Entrada Kelly, Newbery Medal-winning author of Hello, Universe

The drowsy Dormouse from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is transported to modern-day New York City for the adventure of a lifetime in this middle grade novel that’s perfect for fans of Stuart Little and written by critically acclaimed author Cara Hoffman.

When a girl in a blue dress crashes the Mad Hatter’s eternal tea party, the sleepy Dormouse feels more awake than he has in a long time. He wishes he could follow her and be a part of her adventure.

And as luck would have it, a surprising twist of fate sends the Dormouse on an adventure of his own, where he must not fall asleep. For he is destined to save a magical world outside Wonderland, and it will take all his courage—and a few new friends—to do it.

New York City is a long way from Wonderland, and Bernard will need more than just courage to survive.

• An Alice in Wonderland Retelling: The sleepy Dormouse leaves the Mad Hatter’s tea party behind for a brand-new adventure on the streets of modern-day New York City.
• Unlikely Friendships: To succeed, Bernard will need the help of wise-cracking cats, revolutionary rats, and even coffee-chugging squirrels.
• A Secret World of Animals: Discover a hidden animal society living just beneath the notice of humans, with its own subways, heroes, and villains.
• A Humorous and Heartfelt Adventure: Perfect for middle grade readers who love classic tales like Stuart Little, this story is packed with courage, humor, and heart.

“Bernard and his newfound friends—revolutionary rats, wise-cracking cats, and coffee-chugging squirrels, to name a few—will delight and inspire readers of all ages. New York City will never be the same again!” - Erin Entrada Kelly, Newbery Medal-winning author of Hello Universe

“Hoffman deftly creates a compellingly different kind of Wonderland, a place with its own set of realities and whose residents understand that, in spite of their differences, they are stronger together than apart. Everything a fantasy should be and more.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Bernard Pepperlin sparkles! Small animals—human and otherwise—will be inspired by Cara Hoffman’s charming middle grade debut." - Sherri L Smith author of The Toymaker’s Apprentice

“What do you get when you put one lost little mouse into a big city filled with singing cockroaches, hungry falcons, magic teapots, and conniving weasels? An utterly charming, delightful tale of bravery and friendship!” - Bobbie Pyron, award-winning author of A Pup Called Trouble

“A quirky flight of fancy with a rich lineage.” - Publishers Weekly

"Hoffman cleverly mingles familiar themes and tropes from Carroll’s famous novel with wry humor. A great read-alike for fans of Roald Dahl, E.B. White, and Katherine Applegate." - School Library Journal