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The BorrowersMary Norton

Children's fiction

The Borrowers

by Mary Norton

Book 1 of the The Borrowers series

180 pages · First published 1952

Tiny Pod, Homily, and their daughter Arrietty Clock live secretly beneath the floorboards of an English house and survive by “borrowing” small objects from the human beings above them. Their careful existence depends on remaining unseen, but curious Arrietty longs for a larger world and forms a forbidden friendship with a human boy. Discovery threatens the family’s home and forces them to confront how precarious their supposedly safe life has always been. Mary Norton’s Carnegie Medal-winning children’s fantasy turns everyday household objects into enormous resources and hazards while exploring courage, curiosity, and the strange relationship between borrowers and “human beans.”

Paired for this story

Molasses Cinnamon Cocoa + Family Secret Sour

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At a glance

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Spice0 of 5
Suspense3 of 5
Creepy2 of 5
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No surprises at chapter twelve

Content notes

Fear of capture and extermination; poison/gas threat from a rat catcher; family displacement; child-sized adventure peril.

Alcohol-Free Pour

Molasses Cinnamon Cocoa

Velvety chocolate suits a little enchantment and an escape from the everyday.

What you'll need

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How to mix it

  1. Whisk the cocoa and sweetener into the hot liquid until smooth. Add remaining flavorings, heat until steaming, and pour into a mug. Add any listed topping.
  2. Garnish: As listed.
  3. Glassware: Mug.
21+

Cocktail Pour · 21+

Family Secret Sour

For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.

A warming pour with a sharp edge suits a little enchantment and an escape from the everyday.

What you'll need

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Alcohol-shopping links are not shown on children's or young-adult book pages.

How to mix it

  1. If using egg white, dry-shake first. Add ice and shake again, then strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
  2. Garnish: Lemon peel.
  3. Glassware: Rocks glass.

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