Surprises According to Humphrey

Birney, Betty G. (2008). Surprises According to Humphrey. New York, New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.
Humphrey is the class hamster in room 26. He feels that it is his job to help out the kids and Mrs. Brisbane, their teacher with their problems. Mrs. Brisbane has been teaching for thirty years. Her husband had an accident and is in a wheelchair. Mrs. Brisbane is trying to decide if she should sign her contract and teach in room 26 again next year, or if she should retire. She is not sure that the kids really need her anymore. From his hamster wheel, Humphrey can see that some of the kids are having friendship or relationship problems that Mrs. Brisbane is able to help the kids solve. After Humphrey goes with Mr. Brisbane to the rehabilitation center and helps Mr. Brisbane secure a job there, Mrs. Brisbane is able to see that the kids in room 26 will always need a great teacher like her, so she decides to sign her contract and stay. Humphrey is able to put a suggestion in the suggestion box at school, so there is a surprise party for Mrs. Brisbane to celebrate the fact that she is not retiring.
This book has a very unique main character. It is told from the point of view of the class pet who happens to be a mouse. Even though this first "person's" account is that of a mouse the story is cute and believable.