Reviews (2)

I'm 13
I read this book a cople of years ago. I think this book is good for any who wants laugh. This book is soo funny it will have you rolling you should read ever one of theses books. there are the can of boks that will have you rolling with laugter. Theres an other book befor this one and that is a relly funny book too. And it is about these brothes and sisters that live next door to each togher fighting and get even back with each togher. I think these books are the best books that Phyllis Reynolds Naylor have worte and I think ever one will love these books!

Good Reading for Pranksters
This story is about the three Malloy sisters, Caroline, Eddie and Beth and the four Hartford brothers, Jake, Josh and Wally. They live across the river from each other. The girls are trying to get even with the boys for the tricks they've played on them since they moved in. The girls first plan to steal the boys clothes while they were sleeping in a tent. But the girls get caught and run back home. Most of the story talks about what the Malloy's and the Hartford's are going to be for Halloween and how they are trying to ruin each others costumes. My favorite character is Caroline because she is the oldest and is bossy. I relate to Beth Malloy because she is the youngest, she's smart and she comes up with a lot of the ideas. I have been in parades like the kids.
At first the book seemes boring but it got more interesting as I continued reading. My favorite part is where they made the youngest, Peter eat the pie Mrs. Malloy sent to Mrs. Hartford. They thought the girls had done something to it. The boys replaced the pie with one from the bakery. I think it would make it interesting if the girls and boys were in the same family. Then they would play tricks on each other all the time.
I would recommend this book. It is funny and fun to read. You probably won't like the beginning because it doesn't really tell you much about what's going on.I would recommend this book to pranksters. But I would also recommend this book to people who dislike their neighbors. That's why I recommend this book. ... Read more

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Reviews (4)

The third house to fourth in the third book
In this book, "The borrowers afloat" the Clocks once again venture out of a their brand new (rundown) house. This is their 3rd house in the 3rd book. This book tells how they manage "afloat" to get away from the empty cotttage, and "SPECIAL" relatives. Will they get to their dream house?

More adventures with the Borrowers
In this, the third book in the Borrowers series (after The Borrowers, and The Borrowers Afield), the Clocks (Pod, Homily and Arrietty) find that they must leave the safety of their new house and venture forth once again into the great big world. Setting their sights on Little Fordham, a miniature model town, the Clocks follow young Spiller out. But the world is a dangerous place for someone as small as a Borrower, and their voyage is filled with excitement.

Once again, Marty Norton has produced a story that is a lot of fun. Containing both plenty of adventure with a heartwarming story. My children and I loved this story, and you and yours will too.

The Borrowers Afloat
One time I saw a movie it was called The Borrowers. I thought it might be a little bit like the book. I thought it would be about borrowers who were on the river in a teapot. The cover gave a large hint. Borrowers are tiny people only about six inches high. Borrowers can not live without people. A family of three borrowers are living inside of a cotige wall,then the owners suddenly move out. There is one place called Little Fordham where borrowers live so they set out to find it. There were some parts that were slow but it got better toward the end. If you like books with little people mabye you want try it?

Very good book
I liked this book alot. It kept me very interested. There were some funny parts but mainly exciting adventures. This is a good book for a second or third grader. I am in second grade. ... Read more

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When we came out we walked a long way, and when we asked a policeman he said we'd better go back through Smithfield. So we did. They don't burn people any more there now, so it was rather dull, besides being a long way, and Noel got very tired. He's a peaky little chap; it comes of being a poet, I think. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Lots of not-understood references
I'll set the record straight first: I'm American, and I know Nesbit was English. That accounts for some of the references being undecipherable. Also, she wrote about 100 years ago. That accounts for more of the references being undecipherable. And lastly, I know that it's almost impossible for any two people (say, Nesbit and me) to have read all the same books and have all the same cultural references in our heads. That accounts for some of the references being undecipherable.

I was rereading this the other night and idly decided to make a note of every reference that I didn't understand. Through a 242-page book, I found 24 references. My husband is English, so I checked some of these with him on the off chance that some of them were still going concerns in the UK today...most of them weren't. Here are a few things we couldn't figure out. I'm paraphrasing because my notes are here but my book is not.

"You know let dogs delight"

"What happened to the guinea pig? Of course you know the answer to that." (There was no reference to a guinea pig in the discussion under way.)

"Tourbillon"

"Boys of England" books

"The red deer that Edward shot...we were Children of the New Forest..."

"Gaboriau"

"Going to Klondike"

There are more, but that's kind of the gist of it. Anyway, despite all this, the book is still an OK read and the kids do some entertaining things a la typical Nesbit. That's why it got 3 stars instead of only 1.

Realistic, funny, creative children of the early 1900s
A word about me--I am the mother of four children ages 7-17 and have always loved to read. My favorite books as a child are still a pleasure for me today, although I read them more critically now: the Narnia books (where I first read about the Bastables on the first page of "The Magician's Nephew"); "A Little Princess," "The Secret Garden," "Little Lord Fauntleroy," and "Toinette's Philip;" "Little Women," "Ivanhoe," "Tom Sawyer," "Uncle Tom's Cabin," "Hans Brinker," "Tales of King Arthur," "Scottish Chiefs," etc. After my children were born I discovered new classics: Edward Eager, "The Phantom Tollbooth," Philip Pullman, Diana Wynne Jones, Lloyd Alexander, and of course Harry Potter.

The Bastable books were written for literate children of 8-14 almost a hundred years ago, and may be a little difficult for the easy-reader child of today, who thinks Harry Potter is full of hard words! It also has an "I" narrator, which many children do not like. But E. Nesbit was one of the first great children's writers, and in my opinion this is the best of all her books.

Although E. Nesbit is rightly well-known known for fantasies like "The Phoenix and the Carpet," "The Enchanted Castle," or "Five Children and It," this book is not a fantasy. The Bastables are six lively children who live in a dreary London suburb in a row house. Their mother is dead, their discouraged, rather milquetoast father has lost all his money. The children are left to their own devices, since they can no longer afford to go to school (this is the turn of the 19th century). They decide to go about seeking their fortune, and do so in the most imaginative and amusing ways. They often get into trouble, bicker, pout, and basically act like real children; but their emphasis on old-fashioned honor and bravery is a welcome change from modern books. Many of the scenes are very funny, especially to older readers who can figure out what is really happening, versus what the children think is happening. It is also fascinating to see how creative the children have to be to entertain themselves-- which they are very good at! and to marvel at how much more freedom of movement children had in those days. No one is worrying about their safety as they travel around London alone all day long. The narration itself is clever, both because the narrator, who is one of the children, tries to write in a literary style (with funny results), and because the narrator is trying to fool the reader.

The children accidentally bury alive a neighbor boy who "doesn't know how to play," ruin a fishing contest, kill a pudding, play with a real princess, meet a famous politician and a poet, and set out to catch a burglar. They quarrel over lost balls, who should pay for treats, and who has to take care of the youngest brother, whom they have nicknamed after a cereal ad, and who always insists on tagging along. You find yourself laughing and realize that these could be children you know today. There is almost no Victorian/Edwardian sentimentality (some may have been required to be publishable in those days, just as political correctness is now), and only a few convenient happy endings.

This book brings the past to life more vividly than almost any I have ever read. I find myself thinking of it whenever I read about that period of history. It's odd to think the boys would have been just the age to fight and perhaps die in the First World War. The Bastables are a children's classic.

Good read, but not Nesbit's best
The Treasure seekers is a story about a small group of children who try and earn money to help their father (an unsuccessful businessman). The children, along the way, meet lots of characters in turn-of-the-century England. Nesbit really understands children and can write delightfully about them. There are lots of very funny episodes in tbe book.

Nonetheless, this is not Nesbit's best work. Enchanted Castle, Five Children and It, Phoenix and the Carpet are better, since they also incorporate magic. This book is also distinctly unPC in some places, for instance in its description of a Jewish character (he's a miserly moneylender), and is to that extent a product of its times.

No pocket money? Can't afford school?
How would you solve your money problems? The 6 Bastable children find inventive ways to make a shilling or two. They dig for treasure, kidnap a neighbor, write and sell poetry, and more. Best of all, they don't go to school. What could be more fun? Spying on a politician, perhaps?

Treasure ho!
The Treasure Seekers concerns a family of six children in turn-of-the-century England. Their mother dead and their father impoverished through the malfeasance of his business partner, the Bastable kids try a number of schemes to renew the fortunes of the House of Bastable. The story is charming, but the narrative style will win both children and adults. Oswald, the second-eldest sibling, narrates the tale without holding back on his opinions as to how a story should be told. (Example: "There are some things I must tell before I begin to tell about the treasure-seeking, because I have read books myself, and I know how beastly it is when a story begins 'Alas! said Hildegarde with a deep sigh, 'we must look our last on this ancestral home' -- and then some one else says something -- and you don't know for pages and pages where the home is, or who Hildegarde is or anything about it.") I'm happy to find this book is in print in the US -- now I'm going to look for The Wouldbegoods... ... Read more

Book Description

When young Philip Haldane builds a play city out of odds and ends, the fantastic creation comes to life, and he and new stepsister Lucy are magically transported into it. Now they must try to save the Magic City by fulfilling an ancient prophecy--despite a mysterious adversary determined to steal their glory for herself. How Philip and Lucy come to forge a friendship and together triumph over impending disaster makes for a riveting read. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Nesbit's best
More than a quarter of a century ago my sisters and I were captivated by E. Nesbit, and particularly by THE MAGIC CITY. Long unavailable (I have scoured used book shops and the Net for copies for various children) it is great to have it easily available once more. I am happy to report that my own daughter was as taken with it as her aunts and I a generation earlier, and like us she at once began building magic cities of her own. I realize that I risk the wrath of Potterites everywhere, but I suspect that in a hundred years children and their parents will still be enjoying The Magic City while Harry is at most the subject of earnest dissertations on odd trends in the early 21st century. If you have a spark of imagination and an eager child handy, grab this book.

If you love Harry Potter, try this!
Years before I even heard of Harry Potter, my mother picked up the 1910 Macmillan hardcover version of this book at a garage sale for a mere fifty cents. (Imagine, a turn-of-the-century copy of a great book for fifty cents!) At first I was put off by its volume (333 pages with illustrations) but I managed to lap up every last word of it...about seven times, I think.

Philip Haldane, our hero, and his half-sister Helen are orphans. Helen has been Philip's sister, teacher and playmate for what seemed like all his life, and there wasn't a shadow of a doubt in his mind that this would go on for ever; he wanted it to. But the unimaginable happens -- Helen marries and goes honeymooning around Europe, leaving Philip at his new residence, friendless and bitter. But soon his new, seemingly dreary life is changed by his embarking on an exciting adventure, so splendid and picturesque that he never would have dreamed that he had built it with his own hands. You see, Philip had always played building games, and he built not with plain old building blocks but with...well, everything -- everything from ink-wells to bronze Egyptian figurines! And it was while he was in the depths of his misery and pining harder than ever to see his sister again that he, the Creator, discovered it -- his Magic City -- and its delightful secrets.

Now, to look at it from a Harry Potter fan's viewpoint. I shouldn't be giving any clues, you really should have read this book at least once before comparing it with HP, but I'll just say...Philip is of course the Harry Potter of this book, but he is also the Ron Weasley because of his initial malice towards his new stepsister, Lucy -- the Hermoine Granger of this book. The Grey Nurse is the Snape/Malfoy/Voldermort figure of this book. The Great Sloth is rather like Scabbers, and Polly is somewhat Hedwig-like. And Mr. Noah is almost EXACTLY like Professor Dumbledore; if you look at the part of the book when he goes to visit the prison, you'll know what I mean :)

If that still doesn't grab the average Potter fan's attention, how about this: J.K. Rowling favours E. Nesbit as one of her must-reads! Enjoy...

The Book I Spent Ten Years Looking For...
Edith Nesbit is one of the most imaginitive children's writers around - and she's been around for a hundred years!

This is her best book. A boy dreams and finds himself in an equally real world, made up of the pretend cities he's made while awake.

I read The Magic City back in 1989 and spent years searching in second hand books stores for my own copy until I tracked it down on amazon.com! ... Read more

Book Description

He wasn't the worst man in the world, but he wasn't the nicest, either. That's what this man's wife understands as they head off to market to sell a basket of fish. And when he is grumpy with the various people they encounter along the way -- a young girl herding geese, the boy guarding the village gate, even the man with whom they trade their fish -- she is hardly surprised. After all, when husband and wife have been married a good long time, they get used to each other's ways. But when she catches sight of a table of plump red strawberries and her husband is too stingy to buy any, it's simply the last straw! Now, what will it take for this stingy, grumpy, impatient man to cheer her up again?

Newbery Medal winner Phyllis Reynolds Naylor spins a droll tale of foibles and forgiveness, warmly captured in Rosalind Charney Kaye's charming illustrations. ... Read more

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Tale of treating people well...the difference it can make.
Beautifully textured illustrations with expression and humor enhance this tale of the benefits of treating people with kindness and consideration. ... Read more

Book Description

SUMMER IS AROUND the corner, and the rivalry between the Malloys and the Hatfords is heating up! The kids have two weeks to earn money for a fundraising contest sponsored by the local hospital. Those who collect $20 or more for the new children’s wing can choose to be in the annual Strawberry Festival Parade or get all the strawberry treats they can eat.

There’s only one place Caroline Malloy—wants to be: smack dab in the middle of the glamourous Strawberry Queen’s float. But how will she earn the money in such a short time? Do the Hatford brothers have moneymaking secrets that they’re not telling the girls? ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Highly recommended
This wonderful book was written in 1975 by Mary Norton (1903-92), the author of the incomparable Borrowers stories. It tells the story of James, whose dream takes him to a distant land, where he meets many of the characters of old folktales, such as Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Jack-the-Giant-Slayer and Jack-of-the-Beanstalk. But, they are all old now, and past adventures. But, when the daughter of Beauty and the Beast (Boofy and Beau to their friends) needs help, James rises to the occasion. Although he's usually a fan of Science fiction, James must maneuver himself and the girl through this magical wonderland, in search of a magical frog, and answering the question, "Are all the giants dead?"

This is a very nice, gently entertaining story. It is gentle enough for quite young readers, and sure to please. I must say that what I liked most about this book is the illustrations created by the great Brian Froud. My children and I loved this book, and we highly recommend it to you.

A pleasant, minor fantasy.
"Are All the Giants Dead?" is a very fun story peppered with clever in-jokes for those who love fairy tales.
Young James, who is more interested in science fiction than fairy tales, is wisked away in his sleep by Mildred, an ethereal storyteller who takes him off to a magical kingdom. This place turns out to be the land of "happily ever after" where all the legendary heroes and heroines of the past live in leisure and contentment long after their stories have ended. James, though, finds one or two stories left unresolved, and so his adventure begins.
Mary Norton's prose is crisp and well paced, and her characters are very well drawn. The story, however, may have turned out more memorable had the plot become a bit more involved. The villian of the story, for instance, is glimpsed only briefly at the tale's end.
And of course Brian Froud's 8-10 black and white illustrations are fantastic.

Clever Fairy Tale for Adults
This is a neat little dream-narrative but I would describe it as more for adults than children. It's a gentle dream fantasy which plays with the 'rules' of the classic fairy-tale genre. You really have to be a serious fairy-tale fan to get the jokes. Brian Froud's illustrations are a treat, as always.

Old fairy tale characters are brought to life in a new form.
Are All the Giants Dead takes a somewhat casual attitude to introducing common fairy tale characters in their old age. James, a young boy, is lead on an adventure from normal, everyday life, to the world of the heroes he hears about in his bedtime stories. They've all grown older (though perhaps not wiser); James becomes acquainted with the two giant killing Jacks, who now run a pub together. While his guide to the fantasy world takes care of business elsewhere, James learns the stories of how all the giants are indeed dead... or are they? According to Jack the Giant Killer, he has slain them all, but Jack of the Beanstalk admits his friends secret: there is no proof that the last giant is indeed deceased. James, of course, is excited by the prospect of adventure, and wishes to investigate the situation himself. The book is full of the wishes of the young (and, to risk a cliche, the young at heart), and an adventure anyone who has ever wanted an adventure can enjoy. ... Read more

Book Description

There are strange goings-on once again in Middleburg. Someone has put up posters warning townspeople that the dreaded Indiana Aztec bat has been sighted in the area. What's more, the town is in an uproar over the bells recently placed in the church belfry that chime every hour -- twenty-four hours a day! It seems the whole town is going batty with the constant pealing!

Bernie Magruder is determined to get to the bottom of things. Who put up all those posters about a species of bat no one has ever heard of? What can the townspeople do to return some peace to their lives? And are the bats that Bernie and his family see swooping about the belfry the dreaded Indiana Aztecs? Looks like Bernie, and his two friends Georgene and Weasel, have their work cut out for them again! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This book is sure to entertain any reader.
Bernie Magruder's life should be ordinary and normal, yet it isn't. For one thing, strange and dangerous bats from South America are said to be flying towards his town and everyone is scared stiff at the very idea of bats moving in. Then there is the problem of the bells, the church bells. Every hour they clang out, "Abide with me," and the racket is beginning to have a very negative effect on the people of Middleburg. Some people want to turn off the bells, but some insist that they must continue their hourly cacophony.

It is with horror that Bernie's family finds out that a bat has flown in through one of the hotel windows. The last place Bernie and his family want to see a bat is anywhere near their home, the Bessledorf Hotel. Bernie's father is the manager of the hotel, so if anything goes wrong, he will be blamed for it. As always, keen to get into the thick of things, Bernie takes it upon himself to try to find the errant bat with the help of his two best friends.

As Halloween approaches, a large number of bats are seen flying around the church belfry, home of those same bells that are driving almost everyone in town mad with their noise. Now no one is willing to turn the bells off because they are afraid of the bats. Will all the people of Middleburg be driven mad by the musical bells, or will they die after being bitten by the Indiana Aztec Bat? Bernie Magruder is determined to find out what is going on in his town before it is too late.

This book is sure to entertain any reader with its gripping and off-the-wall story, as well as its delightfully eccentric characters. This is one of several amusing books about Bernie Magruder.

(...) ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The adventure continues!
"Caught In The Act" continues the story of the six Kelly children that were were sent away to get adopted by new families because their mother feels that she cannot afford to keep them. I read the first book in the series called "A Family Apart" and it was about the children getting adopted by new families and the second part was about Frances Kelly's adventures with her family. This book talks about how Michael Kelly is doing with the Friedrichs. Mike's main concern is that he believes that the Friedrichs are hiding something from him. He thinks this because he overheard a conversation about somebody named Ulrich. Mike's opinion is that Mr. Friedrich killed him. The story is all about Mike's adventure.

I really enjoyed the novel because it's interesting to see what life was like back in that time. So far I have read the books: A Family Apart, Caught In The Act and In The Face Of Danger. I'm going to read the whole series! If you are thinking of buying this book buy A Family Apart first.

MYSTERIOUS SEEKS!....
Caught in the Act is about a boy, Mike Kelly, who is sent on the Orphan Train but, unfortunately he is left with the Friedrichs. This German family moved to the U.S. to flee from someone or something. This fled turns to turmoil which causes Mike head to spin which might lead to be beaten or be the last victim of three or least he thinks. If you like suspense, mysteries, conflicts, abrupt uproars,or just plain old horror/ questionable murder books you shoulid read this book.

a Caught in the Act review
Michael Patrick Kelly, age 11, is one of his five brothers and sisters who are being sent west on an orphan train by their Ma so they can live a better life than they've had working on the streets of New York City. While his brothers and sisters are placed in good homes, Mike finds life difficult with the family he has been adopted into, especially since he had been a pickpocket out of necessity in New York and going west had been his only other choice besides being sent to Tombs Prison. Mr Friedrich, the father, believes that Mike is nothing but trouble and beats him whenever his temper rises. Gunter, the 13 yr. old who hates Mike and would like to see him sent back to NY and Tombs Prison,tries everything he can to get him in trouble. Most of the time, he succeeds, but Mike remains determined and stays with them despite Gunter's efforts. Mrs.Friedrich is a motherly woman who gladly welcomes his placement in their family, and Mike finds a true friend in Reuben, the hired hand, and Marta, who is a housekeeper for the Friedrichs. While Mike is in the wagon on the way to his new home, he overhears a whispered conversation about a man named Ulrich that disappeared. Apparently, Mr.Friedrich thinks that Mike is just like Ulrich and that he should be "taken care of". As the days pass, Mike hears more tidbits of conversation and believes that Mr. Friedrich has killed Ulrich and that he is afraid someone is going to find his out secret. Mike tries to pry more information loose out of Marta, but she only hints that she knows something which does not need concern him. When Reuben disappears after a fight with Mr.Friedrich, Mike can only fear the worst, and later while in the woods he spies a freshly dug patch of dirt. And then on a trip to St. Joseph, Missouri, he openly tells the people at the general store that Reuben is gone and that he suspects Mr.Friedrich of his murder.What will happen next to Mike--Will he find Reuben?And who was Ulrich? Read this 2nd book in the Orphan Train Quartet by Joan Lowery Nixon to find out the happy ending to Mike's story.

CAUGHT IN THE ACT
A twelve year old boy named Mike kelly is sent west on the orphan train because he was a theif.He was adopted by the Friedrichs.Gunter a thirteen year old boy who hates Mike and lies to get him beaten and send back to New York.Will he succeed? Read this book to find out.

Not for a person who loves action, But a good read.
Michael Patrick Kelly, a boy who steals to feed his family, is actually a very good kid. He would shine the customer (or victim's) shoes and then pick their pocket. However, he is caught, and sentenced to five years at Tombs prison- or to be sent west to start a new life. He goes west. And that, my friend, is how everything begins. Everyone of his siblings gets good parents- except him. Hans Friedrich, a rather bulky,er, really bulky man with a temper like a bomb- ready to go off. Gunter Friedrich, a 13 year old who hates Mike and is always trying to get him into trouble. And he does,too. Mrs. Friedrich is a lovely and nice cook. The maid, Marta,is in love with a rowdy boy-who loves her back! And Rueben-the hired hand is Mike's best friend. But when Reuben suddenly disapears, and a freshly dug plot of dirt turns up that day, Mike has a creeping suspicion of Mr.Friedrich, and if he will be next... ... Read more

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Life With Beethoven.....
"...I write, Uncle, because something terrible has happened.A madman has moved into our house."Young Christoph can't believe his family's misfortune with their new boarder.Mr Beethoven has rented the upstairs rooms, and the terrible noises begin at dawn.There's loud pounding and howling, stomping and crashing.Beethoven has four pianos, some without legs sitting right on the floor so that he can "hear" the vibrations of his music.His room is a mess, papers scattered everywhere, dirty dishes and clothes on every surface, and he writes on the walls.He walks the streets humming and growling, and waving his arms.Christoph is mortified, angry, and embarrassed as he asks his uncle..."I beg you to tell my mother to send Mr Beethoven away."But as the months and then years go by, Christoph's letters begin to change.He develops compassion and tolerance for this eccentric musical genius who lives upstairs, that slowly turns into respect, admiration, and true friendship.....Barbara Nichol and Scott Cameron have authored a creative and inventive story, written as correspondence between uncle and nephew, that combines history, music, and actual events during the three years Beethoven wrote his Ninth Symphony in Vienna.Christoph's intriguing and compelling letters are full of drama and tension as he tells his uncle what it's like to live with the deaf and tormented composer.His uncle, also a musician, writes back giving Christoph insight and understanding into Beethoven's life and times and famous temper.Ms Nichol's engaging and entertaining text is spellbinding and enhanced by Mr Cameron's dark, lush oil paintings.Together word and art transport you back to the 1820s, and allows the reader to spy on Beethoven as he works.Perfect for youngsters 8-12, Beethoven Lives Upstairs is an evocative and fascinating adventure about a remarkable composer that is sure to whet the appetite of budding musicians, and send them looking for more. ... Read more

Book Description

Valentine’s Day is coming up and love is in the air between Beth Malloy and Josh Hatford. When they are spotted holding hands, Josh tells his teasing brothers that he’s simply spying on the girls to see what they’re plotting next. When Caroline Malloy decides she must know what it’s like to fall in love, too, poor Wally Hatford is in for it!

Meanwhile, big sister Eddie couldn’t care less about that mushy stuff. All she cares about is her sixth-grade science fair project. But when she comes up with a great plan, Josh and Jake Hatford horn in on her project. On the day the plan goes into action, little do the boys know that Eddie has a trick up her sleeve. And with daredevil Caroline’s amazing attention-getting stunt, trouble is sure to follow. Get ready, the Malloys and Hatfords are at it again!
... Read more

Reviews (6)

a great read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this book is great!!! its easy to read and is fun too!! i love all the books in this series for they are funny and well written and this book is just as good!!!

READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

great book
i just love this series its a great book after reading the previous books its funny how josh and beth fall in love and what the rest of the gang has in store. I recommend this book

It's a laugh
I loved this book. It is always a laugh to check up on the Malloys and the Hatfords. If you need to laugh then I recommend this hole sires. I won't give away the book but there is a little twist in this book!

A step backwards
Having read the previous books in the series aloud to my kids, I was happy to see the next one available. After reading it, however, I have to admit I was a little disappointed. It seemed pretty formulaic. I also was not pleased with the "suicide," though Mom's reaction and subsequent talk with Caroline salvaged the scene somewhat. I have to confess to a little irritation at the kids-know-best-parents-don't-understand angle at the end as well. May her next book be fresher and more family oriented.

A Spy Among the Girls
A Spy Among the Girls is fun on its own, but is even more so with the added background of the five earlier books. Naylor's newest book in this series is again centered around the three Malloy girls and their neighbors, the four Hatford boys. Readers will enjoy the fast paced events. They will identify with the children, who in some ways have lives like their own. They will see that problems can be resolved. They will laugh as they discover the answers to questions: Is Josh a spy among the girls, or is he falling for Beth? What is an abaguchie? Will Eddie have a good science fair project with Josh and Jake's assistance? Can Wally escape from Caroline? Does he want to? Is Caroline already an actress? Can the Malloys and Hatfords live peacefully as neighbors? Check out this book and enjoy! ... Read more

Book Description

While exploring the environs of their summer home, five brothers and sisters find a Psammead,or Sand-fairy, in a nearby gravel pit: "Its eyes were on long horns like a snail’s eyes, and it couldmove them in and out like telescopes; it had ears like a bat’s ears, and its tubby body was shapedlike a spider’s and covered with thick soft fur; its legs and arms were furry too, and it had handsand feet like a monkey’s." The Psammead is magical and, every day, the ancient and irritablecreature grants each of them a wish that lasts until sunset. Soon, though, they find their wishesnever seem to turn out right and often have unexpected—and humorous—consequences. Butwhen an accidental wish goes terribly wrong, the children learn that magic, like life, can be ascomplicated as it is exciting. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

Fascinatingly different
This book was written in 1982 as an afterthought to the earlier books (The Borrowers (1952), The Borrowers Afield (1955), The Borrowers Afloat (1959), and Poor Stainless (1966)). This follows the Clocks (Pod, Homily and Arrietty) after their escape from the Platters. Having found their way to an old rectory, the Clocks realize that they will never really be safe.

This book is quite different from the earlier books. This story contains social commentary, as seen when the family meets Peregrine Overmantle, and the introduction of more fantastic elements, such as a household ghost. It's quite interesting to imagine where Mary Norton might have gone, had she had the time to write more Borrowers stories. Anyway, this is a great book, and well worth your time and money.

The Saga Continues
Just to set everyone straight, this book is NOT based on the campy, sellout movie "The Borrowers." The movie should be renounced by all true fans, as it is a badly done attempt at commercializing on Mary Norton's brilliant ideas. Anyway, "The Borrowers Avenged" was written more than ten years before the Borrowers movie. It continues the story of Pod, Homily, and Arrietty, as they finally settle into an old rectory. It raises important questions about the future--(who will Arrietty marry, Spiller or Peagreen? I tend to think Peagreen.), but as all good Norton stories, gives you room to decide for yourself.

Not a good end to an otherwise delightful series.
This book was undoubtedly not intended to be the last in the series, but unfortunately it was. The book left several very important characters at odds in the end it a disheartening way. If I had to do it over again, I would have stopped the series with The Borrower's Aloft. Other than this story, the rest of the series by Mary Norton was a delightful addition to our family's storytime.

Imagination is needed for enjoyment.
The Borrowers Avenged is about the characters in the not-so-recent movie The Borrowers. They have many adventure from living in a model village to moving to a church. This is a great read!! ... Read more

Book Description

It's December and Christmas is coming, but Caroline Malloy and Wally Hatford aren't singing carols around the tree. Instead these sworn enemies must interview each other for the dreaded December class project. Caroline, as usual, has a trick up her sleeve that's sure to shock Wally in front of the entire class. That's just the first step in her gross-out Wally plan.

In the meantime, Wally and his brothers find a way to spy on the Malloy girls at home. The girls vow to get revenge on those sneaky Hatfords with a trap the boys won't soon forget. To make matters worse, Caroline and Wally are really in for it when the gross-out gifts meant for each other end up in the most unexpected places. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The BEST book
The Girl's Revenge is one of many books about the Hatfords and the Malloys.I love the sieries and think that this author is a very good writer!

Excellent reading
The Girls' Revenge is a really good book. I like the way Phyllis Reynolds Naylor can continue this series to the fourth book without having the excitement or comedy drag. I especially liked the fact that Peter keeps going over to the enemy camp, much to his brothers' anger and embarassment. I would recommend this book to any Phyllis Reynolds Naylor fan.

Exiting
I really liked this book it's really funny. It takes place in December. I would explain, but that would give it away.

Perfect!!
I dont know what to say it was great. I just finshed reading it so its still fresh in my mind. The one thing I can say is Naylor better make another!! If you raed the frist three books you must read this one. The whole book is great but what i reall want to read is one where the Benson's move back but the Mollys find a house in that same place that would be great. Like I said this is a must read!!

Fast pased, exciting, very, very enjoyable!
Having read the other three books in this series I was delighted to find this installment. Naylor's plot twists are unpredictable, yet belivable. Her hints about an upcomming relationship between Beth and Josh will draw mixed reactions from readers, but all will eagerly read on to find out what will develop. Funny, fun, fabulous reading! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (5)

Bed-Knob and Broomstick By:Norton, Mary
Bed - Knob and broomstick
By: Norton, Mary
Reviewed By: S. Chang
Period: P.5

Three children, Carey, Charles, and Paul are brothers and sisters that were sent to Bedfordshire to stay with their aunt. Very near their aunt's house, an old lady named Miss Price lives in a small house. On an early morning, the three children find Miss Price in pain with a broomstick next to her. Soon they find out that she is a witch and fell while practicing to ride on a broomstick. To prevent the children from revealing her secret, she put a spell on Paul's bed-knob. The spell was to take the children whenever they want if they twist the knob and wish. They take it home and twist the bed-knob and wish. But they don't end up getting quite what they want, only trouble, especially when they meet Emelius Jones.
This book, Bed ?Knob and Broomstick is included in one of my favorite books. I liked it because of many reasons, but most of all it's because it was unpredictable and adventurous. In most books, everything goes well most of the time and all the books seem to have almost the same story. But in this book, opposite from many other books that I have mentioned, almost everything goes wrong and is unpredictable. For example, who knew Paul was going to say, "It's hers. It's what she fell off. It's what she rides on.?Who knew they were going to meet Emelius Jones and get into all that adventure?
I say that this book is full of adventure. Especially when a dummy soars though the sky and save Emelius. I remember how they described that situation. In this book, some boys screamed, "A witch on a broomstick!?in the past of Bedfordshire. I always like it when they make the bed go somewhere. I also liked it when they went to the island of Ueepe. I liked that part because it made me think Carey and Charles wouldn't make it and Miss Price and Paul had already left. I felt as if I was with the 3 children and Miss Price.
Although this book comes in as one of my favorite books, it isn't a perfect book. I think every book has its pros and cons. What I didn't like about this book was when Emelius is over at Miss Price's house. I think I didn't really enjoy that part because of the wordings. How it was worded was very weird and it confused me. After I think about it, I don't remember much from that part. Nothing was made very clear to me. In my opinion, this book is a very good book except for this part in the book that I have mentioned.

Definitely not the movie
So, having seen the Disney movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks, you know the whole story, right? Wrong! Being a fan of that movie, I picked up this book expecting some minor discrepancies, but was amazed to find a story that had practically nothing in common with the movie.

This is the story of Carey, Charles and Paul Wilson who, while staying with their aunt in Bedfordshire, suddenly discover that a neighbor, Miss Price is a witch! Not your stereotypical witch, Miss Price is a prim and proper lady who is willing to buy the children's silence with the gift of a magic bed knob that will allow the children to travel through space and time. Seeking to visit their mother, the children find themselves scooped up by the London police. Next, Miss Price takes them to an isolated tropical island, only to discover that cannibals inhabit the island. Their final adventure takes them to Restoration England, where they meet a forlorn (and inept) necromancer, Emelius Jones.

This story (actually two books combined into one) is quite charming. In a gentle and freewheeling fashion, Mary Norton draws the reader along on a fantastic adventure. This book is just right for the young reader, with a few nice illustrations, and a wonderful storyline.

Bedknob and Broomstick
Our class enjoyed hearing our teacher read this story. She thought we might like it because we enjoyed "Harry Potter" last year. We liked it when the children travelled back into the past. It was good when Miss Price and Emelius fell in love and travelled back to Emelius's time

Classic Tale of Magic and Adventure
I first read this book as a child, and it was one that I read again and again. Using a magical bedknob, the children in this story travel through time and space to ancient England, a desert island and more. I just bought this for my nine year old niece, who is a "Harry Potter" fan, but too young for most of the scarier titles that are sometimes suggested for fans of the series. Like all of the author's books, this one is exciting, but not scary, and is clearly the product of a gentler time.

Mary Norton's All-Time Best!!!
I've always found the Borrower books to be boring and somewhat of a sluggish read, but this book by Mary Norton is superb and I'm surprised that more people don't know of it. The writing is witty and fast-paced. Erik Blegvad's illustrations are a joy to look at and compliment the writing beautifully. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Circle of Love by Sahil Rajvanshi
This story is about a 19 year old girl name Frances Mary Kelly. She lives in Kansas. She is a school teacher. She knows a man name Johnny. They go to the church together. One day she met up her friend, Andrew. He wanted her to take a boy name Stefan to New York. So she went to the store to buy things for her trip. She surprised Johnny because he didn't know about her trip to New York. She boarded the train with Stefan to New York. When they got there, Stefan was very happy to see his aunt and uncle.

Then Frances met a woman name Mrs. Hunter in New York. Frances told Mrs. Hunter that she wanted to visit her old neighborhood. When she got there, she was surprised and upset to see that everything had changed. It was looking like a junk yard now. When she got back from her sad trip, Mrs. Hunter wanted her to take many orphan children to different train stops, to find parents who would adopt them. She took all the children to the train station. They all got in the train. She met a man name Seth in the train and he helped her by getting food and milk for everyone. During the night time, when all the kids were sleeping, Frances and Seth got to know each other. In the morning, Seth's brother came next to the train on a horse. Seth took one of the children as hostage. Then Frances ran towards the child and tried to pull him inside the train. Seth let go of the child and jumped off the train, onto his brothers horse and rode away. Frances sent a telegram message to the sheriff, notifying him that seth and his gang are on the way to rob a bank. When Frances reached the train station, sheriff told her that he chaught the gang except Seth.

Frances and the children went with sheriff to the church for the adoption meeting. Frances described to all the people in the church about the Children Aid Society. Also told them about the children she had with her. After that, each parent came and adopted a child they liked. Most of the children were adopted by someone. Frances took the remaining children to the train station for the next place for adoption.

After all the children were adopted, Frances still had one child left name Eddie. Frances took Eddie to her mom's place and her mom liked him a lot. She took Eddie to her home in Kansas and met up with Johnny. They both got married and adopted Eddie for their son.

circle of love
This story is aboout a 19 year old girl namw Frances Mary Kelly. She lives in Ksansas. She a schoolteacher. She know a man name Jonney. They do alot of thing together. One of the thing that they do is that they go to the church together. One day she met up with an old friend. He wanted her to take a boy to New York. So she went to the store and got a few thing for her trip. She surprise Jonney because he didn't know about this. So she boarded the train to New York. When they got there he was very happy to be with his aunt and uncle. Then shee met a woman name Mrs.hunter. She ask her if she can see her old neighborhood. When she got there she was wondering what happen

A Sad Book
I thought this was I great but sad book. It is about Frances Mary that rides the train from New York to Missouri on the train that took her and her brothers and her sisters to there foster parents. On her way home she takes 30 orphans to missouri to be adopted. This is a story of both adventure and tradigy. ... Read more

Book Description

"THERE were once four children who had the good fortune to find in the sandpit a strange creature. Its eyes were on long horns like snail's eyes, and it could move them in and out like telescopes. It had ears like a bat's ears, and its tubby body was shaped like a spider's and covered with thick soft fur -- and it had hands and feet like a monkey's. It was old, old, old, and its birthday was almost at the very beginning of everything. But it still kept its fairylikeness, and part of this fairylikeness was its power to give people whatever they wished for."You know fairies have always been able to do this. The four children found their wishes come true; but, somehow, they never could think of just the right things to wish for, and their wishes sometimes turned out very oddly indeed. . . ."(Jacketless library hardcover.) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

80 out of 100
I liked "The Story of the Amulet", by Edith Nesbit. It is a well written and thought-provoking book. The children introduced in "The Five Children and It" and seen again in "The Pheonix and the Carpet" are back once more to finish the trio. As in "The Pheonix and the Carpet", this is a travelling book. However in this book the children travel in both time and space to search for the other half of an amulet that, when joined, will give the children their heart's desire. I removed a star for a few reasons. One, out of the five books by Nesbit that I have read, this is ranked 5th. That is not to say that this was a bad book. It's just that I thought the other ones were better. Two, I like the books where the characters are granted wishes best, as in "The Five Children and It". However, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes magical happenings, time travel, and those who liked other Edith Nesbit books.

An excellent book!
This book is one really fun and exciting adventure. E. Nesbit is one of the best children's authors ever. I suggest that anyone interested start with Five Children and It, which is even better. I would recommend this book to anyone!

Title.
I like edward eager, who says every1 should reads e nesbit so im gonna.

A classic children's fantasy set in Edwardian London
E. Nesbit completed her best known trilogy of fantasy books with The story of the Amulet. It returns us to the lives of the brothers and sisters we met in Five Children and It and The Phoenix and the Carpet. But the tone is darker and the freedom from adult observation is due to lonelyness rather than holiday freedoms, as was the case in the earlier novels. The children's parents are in danger of their life, and they find themselves faced with the chance to help when they meet the iracible Psammiad again. It leads them to a time travelling amulet, which might have the power to grant them their hearts desire.

Much of the charm of this book comes from the realism of the children's characters. No matter that they dress in the plus fours and petticoats of the Edwardian age, their bickering and wonder in the face of magical events makes them timeless.

A marvelous book, and a farewell to a familier group of children hovering on the verge of adulthood. ... Read more

Book Description

It’s spring break and the only assignment Wally Hatford and Caroline Malloy have is to do something that they have never done before. Wally’s sure that will be a cinch once he hears the great news about the mighty Benson brothers coming to stay for vacation. It will be nonstop action all the way. For starters, the nine Benson and Hatford boys plan on scaring the three Malloy sisters silly by convincing them that their house is haunted. Of course, the boys don’t know that the girls are hard at work plotting their own special surprise welcome. The Bensons don’t know what they’re up against with the Malloy girls. But they soon will.

Meanwhile, everyone in town knows there’s a hungry cougar on the prowl. When the kids decide to take a break from their tricks and join forces in catching the cougar, guess who gets stuck with the scariest job? This will surely be something no one has ever done before.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Please write more
I HAVE TO SAY THAT THESE ARE SOME OF THE FUNNIEST BOOKS I'VE READ. I READ THE FIRST ONE WHEN I WAS EIGHT AND STILL ENJOY THEM EVEN THOUGH I'M TURNING THIRTEEN IN SEPTEMBER. MRS. NAYLOR IN THE AUTHOR DESCRPTION IN MY COPY IT SAYS THAT YOU WERE CONSIDERING FIVE MORE BOOKS-ONE FOR EACH MONTH- ABOUT THE REST OF THE MALLOY'S STAY. IS THAT TRUE? PLEASE WRITE MORE BOOKS. THE END OF THE BOYS RETURN JUST LEAVES US HANGING. DID EDDIE MAKE THE SOFTBALL TEAM? WHAT ABOUT JOSH AND JAKE? DID THEY MAKE THE TEAM TOO? DID THE MALLOY'S STAY IN BUCKMAN OR DID THE BENSONS COME BACK? PLEASE WRITE MORE? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE....ETC.....ETC.....?

Fun leisure reading
It's spring break and not only are the friendly/feuding Hatford and Malloy children up to their usual tricks, but they're joined by the Benson boys, visiting their old hometown. Trouble starts when the boys decide to concoct a ghost story to share the girls - and the savvy girls respond with one better. Perhaps not as hilarious as some of the others in the series; but still fun leisure reading.

great series
Books 1-3 are the best. My daughter, 7 years old, just *loved* these books. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

One of E. Nesbit's best
One of the delightful things about this book is that it treats children as thinking beings, yet still manages to contain all of the magic and adventure of childhood. As in all of her work, E. Nesbit tells an exciting story while encouraging the reader to consider the meaning of things.Oneof the best books written by one of the best children's writers of alltime.

Phantastic Literature of the best kind - to be reread again
Two 10-year-olds are the last survivors of a long line of english aristocrats.The family castle lies in ruins, but the children are determined to restore it to its former glory with the help of the long-lost family treasure. The task seems daunting, but they soon discover there's some intricate, powerful magic in the family crest.. Subsequently the treasure hunt hurtles along at breathtaking pace. The magic includes frequent trips into the turbulent (and dangerous) times of England's feudal past to discover the exact time and place where the treasure was hidden.. This book and it's sequel (or prequel?!) "Harding's Luck" can't be recommended enough. They are children's classics of the nicest kind - not the least bit sirupy - but full of adventure and magic ... Read more