Book Review- Howard Pyle- Robin Hood

Howard Pyle- Robin Hood 3.25 Stars

I won’t bother summarising this classic as I think you all know the basics about Robin Hood. I was actually surprised at how different this was from what I expected, especially the fact that Maid Marian doesn’t make an appearance until three-quarters of the way through the book, and then it is just for one chapter as well as one mention later on. It seems that movie makers have taken a lot of liberties with this book and have changed so much about it. It covers so much more time than I was expecting as well. I did enjoy reading this novel, once I got past all the ‘doths’ and ‘quoths’. It did seem choppy in its writing style. It was more like a collection of short stories about Robin Hood in the way that it was put together, but it keeps the reader intrigued about what trouble he was going to get himself into next. His playful personality is what gets him into the most amount of trouble every time. This makes for an amusing read. The characters were also very well done, they seemed quite realistic and I love how we see him battling it out with the same people every time, yet there actually was very little killing. Overall I enjoyed this classic, but would have liked it better if it didn’t feel so choppy at times.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com.

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- H.G. Wells- War of the Worlds

H.G. Wells- War of the Worlds (Moby Books1983) 4 Stars

Martians have come to earth. A timeless classic, so I really do not need to explain the book. I loved this book when I read it as a kid and I loved it this time when I read it. I do not normally like science fiction, but this one is a must read. I love the main character and how he is struggling to cope with everything that is going on, yet he does not ever give up hope, even though he comes close to brink at several points. I thought it was interesting how Wells starts the whole alien fad, and yet no one else has really come anywhere close to his description of an alien. I also found the end rather interesting in how he has everything turn out. Wells was a fantastic author with a lot of skill and I definitely recommend reading this classic.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- Charles Dickens- David Copperfield

Charles Dickens- David Copperfield (Moby Books 1979) 3 Stars

David Copperfield found himself orphaned when he was just a small boy, after his mother passed away, leaving him with a stepfather who treated him badly. After the stepfather abandons him he must try to make it on his own. He goes through tough times, but manages to make good friends along the way. Then with the help of an aunt he must struggle to find a career and make something of his life. David Copperfield is a tale of betrayal, jealousy, cruelty, and love, resulting in his finding out what it means to truly be happy.

David Copperfield started off as a happy tale, but quickly became one of sorrow. Dickens brings the reader through a life of hardship and yet shows that even with what seems like a hard life, happiness is still achievable, it is all in how we look at life. I enjoyed the ending of this book as it kind of makes the reader warm and fuzzy. I did find that the book was rather boring and slow at times and kind of dragged on. The quality of writing was impressive, it is no wonder Charles Dickens was a famous and popular author who is still read today. The characters were very well created and woven into the tale beautifully, although I think that we saw too many characters that the reader is supposed to try to keep track of. I would only recommend this book to those who like classics.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

Book Review- Alexadre Dumas- The Man in the Iron Mask

Alexadre Dumas- The Man in the Iron Mask (Moby Books 1983) 3.25 Stars

It’s been thirty years since the Three Musketeers were a team, now they are together again. They find out that king’s twin brother is in the prison of Bastille and they plan to switch the king with his brother. First they must free the twin, and figure out how to make the switch and get away with it. If it does not work they must plan an escape for they will be hunted down like dogs. They will find out that the king’s fury and drive for revenge knows no bounds, he will hunt them down to the ends of the earth. This is the final chapter four the Four Musketeers.

The beginning of the book was fairly slow and did not really grab my attention. I probably would not have finished it if it wasn’t for this being our group read author. It did pick up about a quarter of the way through and got pretty intense by the end, but it still did not overly impress me. I must say that I enjoyed the movie much more. The characters were great. It was one thing that Dumas did very well in this classic novel. They were all very well thought out and I enjoyed reading about them. The plot was good, but I expected more from an author that I have heard so much about. This is not an author I would search out and pick up another of his books.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- Harper Lee- To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee- To Kill a Mockingbird (Grand Central Publishing 1982) 4.75 Stars

Scout and Jem Finch live in Maycomb, a small town along the Alabama River where nothing much happens. That is until a black man is accused of a crime he did not commit and their father, Atticus, must defend him. Now they must learn what being a family is all about and the fact that the world is not as black and white as children think it is. People do not always act nobly and Atticus expects his children to treat everyone with respect no matter what happens. Not an easy task for a young girl who would rather solve her problems with her fist. This is a classic coming of age tale, set in the historic southern U.S.

I loved To Kill a Mockingbird when I was in school, one of the few school books I actually enjoyed reading. I also loved the movie as it was very well done. You can’t help but love Scout and her sense of how the world should be. She is filled with a child’s innocence and she must come to understand that the world is not always fair; in fact it can be so very cruel at times. Not wishing to become a lady, she will do anything possible to be seen as a hard-knuckled boy. She must also face the fact that her brother is growing up and wants more of his own independence. I loved the whole Boo Radley thing, it added some fun into the book and helped them realize that things are not always as they seem, and never to judge someone by what other people say. This book is a great learning experience for children and I can see why it was read in schools. At times I was frustrated with how cruel and stupid people were, but this was the just a matter of the way people thought at the time, a perfect recreation by the author. I always find that when I read this I wish Harper Lee had written more.

I recommend To Kill a Mockingbird for parents to read to their children, and to teens/adults.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- Rudyard Kipling- Captains Courageous

Rudyard Kipling- Captains Courageous (Moby Books 1983) 4 Stars

Harvey Cheyne is rich, spoiled, and as a teenager he is getting everything he wants, at least until he goes overboard while traveling on an ocean liner off the coast of Newfoundland. Now he finds himself on a fishing vessel and his father’s money means nothing. Harvey must learn the ropes of sailing and fishing to earn his passage on the four month fishing trip. Dan Troop, son of the courageous fishing Captain Disko Troop, teaches Harvey how to sail and fish, making them a pair of unlikely friends. Harvey will learn how to be a man and live his life without being a spoiled brat.

Captains Courageous is Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale of the rich learning to live like a normal hardworking citizen. At first I think I was along with everyone else in despising this impudent little brat, Harvey Cheyne, but as I watched him grow throughout the book I developed respect for him. He is able to overcome his trouble by pitching in and learning to work like all the others on the ship. Dan Troop is a wonderful young lad who befriends Harvey and I liked his character the most in the book, although I could not help but to like Disko Troop, and the ship’s cook. So many amazing characters created by one of the best writer’s of all times. The plot is not overly deep, but was wonderfully crafted into an interesting tale. I felt that throughout the story I learned many things about sailing on a fishing vessel, not enough to try it myself, but enough to keep me reading. The ending was one that was a little boring, but happy nonetheless. I may have liked to of seen a little bit more excitement in parts, something to make the reader bite their nails, but maybe that is just me.

I recommend this children’s version to parents looking for a good clean read for their kids, and the adult version to those looking for a good sailing adventure.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- H.G. Wells- The Time Machine

H.G. Wells- The Time Machine (Moby Books 1983) 3.5 Stars

A young scientist creates the unbelievable, a time machine. Travelling into the future in the hopes of bringing back useful knowledge he finds only danger. Confused by these curious little people and their unusual fear of the dark, he finds that what lurks in the dark is a society of simple ape-like creatures and they may very well be worth being afraid.

This is one of those classics that are worth reading to your children. It gets your imagination flowing and stimulates the writing juices. H. G. Wells was a talented author with revolutionary ideas. The main character is very naïve and although brilliant, could be quite dumb at the same time. The futuristic world is very interesting to think of and he does a very good job of painting his very bleak imagining of the future. It is quite believable that his friends would not believe him, and yet I find it very curious as to why he decides to go back into the future after all that he saw.

I recommend this adapted version of The Time Machine to parents with young children who have good imaginations.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Mark Twain- The Prince and the Pauper

Mark Twain- The Prince and the Pauper (Baronet Books) 3.75 Stars

Two young boys from completely opposite standings meet unexpectedly. Edward Tudor is the heir to England’s throne, while Tom Canty is a beggar, both look nearly identical. They decide to switch positions temporarily and the adventure begins, as both of them find out what it is like to live someone else’s life.

This is another one of those timeless classics kids should read. This story is the telling of the saying ‘life isn’t always greener on the other side’. It is interesting to see how the boys deal with the situations they are put in and how they are both happy to go back to their old lives in the end. The characters are rich and beautifully crafted by a wonderful writer.

I recommend The Prince and the Pauper to every one of all ages.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Charles Dickens- Oliver Twist

Charles Dickens- Oliver Twist (Baronet Books) 4 Stars

Oliver Twist, a poor orphan boy mistreated everywhere he goes, decides to run away to London. There he meets Fagin and his gang of thieves and pickpockets. In an attempt to gain what he wants most, a family, he befriends a victim of Fagin’s robbery.

This is a great classic that I found more enjoyable as a version aimed at children. I cannot help myself but to fall in love with the wonderful young boy, Oliver Twist. Misfortune seems to follow him about. The ending is one that I love as it shows hope, truly a heart-warming tale of life as a poor orphan boy.

I recommend this classic to all readers of middle reader level to the elderly.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
www.eloquenbooks.com/kidsonacase.html