Always, Clementine
by Carlie Sorosiak (Goodreads Author)

3.5 out of 5 stars
Clementine is a lab mouse. A genetic experiment has given her super-intelligence and she does her best to solve every maze and puzzle that the team of scientists give her. Clementine befriends a chimp named Rosie in one of the lab cages. When a scientist with a guilty conscience sets Clementine free, she begins a wild journey to prove her worth and hopefully save Rosie from the lab too. In the meantime, Clementine writes letters to Rosie (which are never written or posted) and tells Rosie all her adventures.

This was such a cute book! I love stories about mice and how the little guy has the courage and tenacity to stand up to the giants around them.

The story is very thoughtful and emotional as Clementine reflects on what it means to find freedom. She thinks deeply about the nature of connection and friendship between species. As those around her realize just how intelligent she is, she doesn’t let that define her. Her big heart and her courage are what make her the “person” she is.

I really liked all the human characters in the story! They have such varied personalities and their own backstories and internal struggles. Clementine inspires them with her quiet courage, and their lives are changed as a result.

The epistolary writing style is kind of weird, since it is a mouse writing to a chimpanzee. And they aren’t written letters, they are mental letters that Clementine is memorizing to tell Rosie later when they meet again. The narration is from Clementine’s POV which I liked. But the verb tense keeps changing from past tense to present tense. I found that oddly jarring.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.