<DIV>In this gently subversive fable, Ned Mouse is trying to break out of jail after having committed the heinous crime of writing "The government is unfair to mice!" in his spinach. Aside from the injustice of the punishment, Ned doesn't like his tiny cell, he doesn't like the vile food, and he doesn't think he looks good in stripes. Over the years Ned makes various unsuccessful attempts to escape until he finally comes up with his most daring escape plan yet. All he needs for his plan to succeed is the cooperation of his gullible guard. Author Tim Wynne-Jones has received dozens of awards for his children's literature, including the prestigious Horn Book Award.</div>