Today, I’m back with three more Swallows and Amazons books. These are such fun, comforting reads! By this point in the series, we know the characters so well.
Last week, it was mentioned in the comments that today’s kids are less likely to pick up books like these. I agree. I wouldn’t just recommend the books to just any kids. (The same goes with Anne of Green Gables; and I adore that book!) However, one way that does work (and I’ve seen it) is to use these books as a read-aloud. It’s a wonderful way to share these books.
One other thing I do like to point out is the artwork. It’s “by Nancy Blackett” and it’s part of the charm of the series. It also helps the reader understand the sailboat terminology, how to read semaphore code, etc.
Finally, one last thing I will say about these books is this … I always come away from these books just KNOWING I could sail a boat. Which I can’t. At least not without some help!
Swallows and Amazons Forever!
P.S. This series has more than the six books I’m highlighting on the blog. While I enjoyed reading those other ones, I’ve chosen to showcase the book that are my favorites. In other words, if you can only read six of the books, these are the ones! (If you missed last week’s post, here it is – Part 1!)
PIGEON POST (1936)
Another favorite. In this book, the Swallows, Amazons, and D’s are searching for gold in the hills. As they camp out, they’ve promised to keep in touch with Mrs. Blackett via homing pigeons. But then comes along Squashy Hat, the mysterious stranger who seems like he’s looking for gold too and about to jump their claim!
A Favorite Quote from the Book
Dorothea was still thinking of the old man’s story. “He must have taken his map to the war with him,” she said, almost to herself, “and then he was killed and someone found the map, and years afterwards, they’ll guess what it means and come up here to look. . . . Oh, I say . . .” She stumbled, and her voice suddenly shrilled. “Perhaps Squashy Hat has got the map and that’s why he’s here.”
“Gosh!” said Nancy. “If he has, we’ve simply got to go there. There’s no time to lose.”
WE DIDN’T MEAN TO GO TO SEA (1937)
This book is the first book that doesn’t take place in the Lake District. In fact, it’s a Swallows-only book. And they don’t even have their sailboat, the Swallow. The title kind of says it all. After a mistake, they end up sailing out into the open sea! This is the most realistic (and in many ways, the scarisest) of the books. But the Swallows haven’t been learning to sail for no reason. Now they’re able to put their technique to the test! (Slight spoiler: In this book we also get to meet Father (Mr. Walker) who’s always away during the other books!)
A Favorite Quote from the Book
“Out at sea. . . . The Beach End buoy. . . .”
Titty and Roger stared at each other in the cockpit. They had heard Susan say it. They had seen the great buoy with its iron cage and its clanging bell. They had read the words “BEACH END” themselves. But, now that the buoy had vanished in the fog, there was no more to be seen and no less than when they had been anchored in the harbour close to the North Shelf buoy, listening to the noises of Felixstowe Dock and the bells of the steamers.
“We can’t be really,” said Roger.
“We probably are,” said Titty.
THE PICTS AND THE MARTYRS (1943)
When I first read this book, I wasn’t sure I would like it. This book does NOT have the Swallows. It basically is about the D’s coming to stay with the Amazons. Mrs. Blackett isn’t home, but the girls are under the care of Cook. However, when the Great Aunt finds out she determines to show up. The D’s have to go into hiding (becoming picts). And poor Nancy and Peggy have to suffer as martyrs (aka proper young ladies) under the eagle eye of the Great Aunt.
A Favorite Quote from the Book
“Something is the matter,” said Dorothea, and Dick, who had been looking at the postcards with Peggy, glanced up at Nancy’s face and saw that Dorothea was right. Nancy was holding the envelope in her hand almost as if she were afraid to open it.
“Harrogate postmark,” she said, “and calling me Ruth . . . It’s a letter from the Great Aunt.”
“Open it. Open it,” said Peggy. “Let’s get it over. It’s bound to be beastly. Like her nosy telegram,” she explained to Dorothea. “The Great Aunt never writes to us except for birthdays to hope we’re turning over new leaves.”
Nancy opened the letter. Her face went crimson. She stamped her foot. “But I told her we weren’t alone,” she said. “Whatever are we to do? Cook!” she called. “Cooky! The most awful thing has happened. . . .”
YOUR TURN…
Have you read any of these books? Which one is your favorite? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Swallows and Amazons Forever!
Today, I’m taking the time to share some book love with books that were published in days gone by. I’m all for new books, but I do love a good story.
SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS (1930)
SWALLOWDALE (1931)
WINTER HOLIDAY (1933)
Book: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964)
Basic plot: Every year, the Christmas pageant is pretty much the same… that is, until the Herdmans decide they’re going to be a part of it. And once the Herdman kids decide on something, well… there’s no other way. (At least, not if you value your life.)
And as I was listening, I got to thinking about all the magical elements to the story, and particularly Mary Poppins herself. I guess this is an early incarnation of what we now know as the Magical Realism genre.
I don’t always like purple prose. But Charles Dickens is the master. And yes, there’s a lot of purple prose in this book. Just look at the opening lines… possibly the most famous lines Dickens ever wrote (although A Christmas Carol might give this one a run for its money)… These lines are absolutely beautiful.
This book is all about the escapades of the charming Bastable children. The family is facing hard times, and the children decide it’s up to them to help their father restore their family fortune.
I recently picked this one up at a thrift store. I’d never read this book before, but I loved reading The Black Stallion series as a kid.
Sadly, this book is no longer at my library. I have no idea WHY they would get rid of it. Because this is an amazing book! I guess it’s just “too old”. (It was published in 1981, so apparently that’s “old”.)
Of Maria Antonia 