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THOMAS IN DANGER

Name: THOMAS IN DANGER
Author: Bonnie Pryor
ISBN: 0-688-16518-4

by Bonnie Pryor ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1999

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This first entry in the American Adventures series is set during the Revolutionary War. When Mr. Bowden joins the Continental army to fight the British, Thomas Bowden, his mother and siblings, Emma and Ben, are forced to flee over the Pocono Mountains to Philadelphia and their Aunt Rachel’s home. Arriving at her sister’s door in a pauper-like state, Mrs. Bowden encounters new owners who are far less than friendly. The Jessups offer Mrs. Bowden a job as their servant only if she is willing to send Emma and Ben to the poorhouse. Rachel’s former servant, Lottie, comes to the aid of the Bowdens, helping them move into the Peach Tree Inn to provide meals for sea captains and businessmen. After overhearing a Tory spy make elicit plans to divert supplies from the Patriot army to the British, Thomas is kidnapped and taken to live with the Iroquois. Despite kindness shown to him, Thomas never fully assimilates into his new way of life and is left behind by the Iroquois when a Patriot army arrives to destroy their village. Pryor’s point, that there are always two sides to every issue, as well as substantial common ground, won’t be lost on readers, as both the Iroquois and the Patriots were fighting battles for independence. The historical details are vivid, the action unfolds at a strong pace, and as the exciting story concludes, the author’s parting comments will make readers reflect anew on American history. (b&w illustrations, not seen) (Fiction. 9-11)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-688-16518-4

Page Count: 167

Publisher: Morrow/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HISTORICAL FICTION

- BOOK REVIEW
LUKE ON THE HIGH SEAS
by Bonnie Pryor & illustrated by Bert Dodson

- BOOK REVIEW
TOENAILS, TONSILS, AND TORNADOES
by Bonnie Pryor & illustrated by Helen Cogancherry

- BOOK REVIEW
THE DREAM JAR
by Bonnie Pryor & illustrated by Mark Graham

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THE LION AND THE UNICORN

by Shirley Hughes ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1999

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From Hughes (Enchantment in the Garden, 1997, etc.), a WWII story with big ambitions—many of them realized’set out in the pages of an unusually long picture book. Lenny Levi lives in London with his mother during the Blitz, cherishing the letters from his father at the front, and the medal of the lion and the unicorn his father gave him. When Lenny is evacuated to the country, he finds himself at a huge old manor with three little girls, the lady of the house, and a few servants. He is lonely, teased at school and at home for not eating bacon and for bedwetting, but makes a friend of the young man with one leg he meets in the secret garden on the estate. The garden, thick with roses, also holds a beautiful statue of a unicorn like the one on his medal. As Lenny’s loneliness and fear spiral out of control, a night vision of the unicorn brings him back; his mother comes to take them both to his aunt in Wales, where his father will join them. The storyline, while straightforward, hints at difficult subjects—religious differences, amputees, separation, family disruptions, the terror of bombing, and more—which are then given only cursory treatment. The pictures are splendid: luminous, full-bodied watercolors that capture the horror of London burning, the glory of the countryside, and mists of dreams. It may be difficult for this to find its audience, but children too young for Michelle Magorian’s Good Night, Mr. Tom (1986) might be captured. (Picture book. 8-10)

Pub Date: April 1, 1999

ISBN: 0-7894-2555-6

Page Count: 60

Publisher: DK Publishing

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1999

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S HISTORICAL FICTION

- BOOK REVIEW
RUBY IN THE RUINS
by Shirley Hughes ; illustrated by Shirley Hughes

- BOOK REVIEW
WHISTLING IN THE DARK
by Shirley Hughes

- BOOK REVIEW
DIGBY O'DAY AND THE GREAT DIAMOND ROBBERY
by Shirley Hughes ; illustrated by Clara Vulliamy

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I WAS ONCE A MONKEY

STORIES BUDDHA TOLD

by Jeanne M. Lee ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 8, 1999

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A book of the basic teachings of Buddha, presented through a collection of six classic, simple tales. When a monkey takes refuge from a monsoon in a cave, he happens upon a group of bickering animals—a monkey, lion, turtle, jackal, and dove. Before the fighting becomes too fierce, a small statue of Buddha begins to glow in the darkest corner. To pass the time—and to stop the fighting—wise Buddha spins enlightening stories of tolerance, endurance, sagacity, truthfulness, kindness, and clarity. Buddha recounts his past lives in many forms—from monkey to pigeon to willow tree—to his captive listeners. Such straightforward yet profound tales combine with the art and design for an example of bookmaking that is aesthetically pleasing in every way. Color-washed linoprints cleverly distinguish the stories from the black-and-white narrative frame, while an informative afterword offers brief background detail about Buddha and these six “birth stories” known as Jatakas. (Picture book/folklore. 4-7)