There seems to be no place in the world for orphan girl Mouse, abandoned as a baby on the steps of a medieval manor house. When things go from bad to worse, can a little courage and determination enable Mouse to choose her own way, to become ... the puppeteer's apprentice?

The book by D. Anne Love read like a spongecake to me, as the main character and her story seem a very solid base for a dessert, but a plain one. Love keeps things simple and easy to grasp. From scullery maid to vagabond, Mouse comes across interesting people and curious customs that will engage young imaginations, in spite of lacking a bit of development for older readers. Most importantly, Mouse endures severe ups and downs, caused by both forces outside of her control and of her own making. This gives the story a warmth and believability.

Most of Mouse's journey covers only the important days, as if dipping the sponge in different flavors of frosting as Love went along. The mystery Mouse encounters becomes clear rather too easily, but she is easy to relate to and it's a fun, quick read to follow along and see where she winds up. In short, I wish there had been a bit more depth, a little more flavor, but it is a solid, light read for the right age group.