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Tuesday, December 15, 2009

A-Z Wednesday

A-Z Wednesday is hosted by Vicky of Reading at the Beach. To join, look here.

This weeks letter is: S


Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

Book Description:
Swallows and Amazons begins with the four Walker children, John, Susan, Titty and Roger, holidaying with their mother, infant sister Brigit and a nurse at Holly Howe, a farmhouse on the shores of an unnamed lake in the English Lake District. Receiving permission from their absent father, Commander Walker R.N., they set sail in the dinghy Swallow to camp on a deserted island further down the lake.

Camping, sailing, fishing and exploring is soon interrupted when the Walkers (the Swallows) are attacked by Nancy and Peggy Blackett, the self-styled Amazon Pirates. The Amazons live at Beckfoot on the shores of the lake and claim ownership of the island, which they call Wild Cat Island. The Swallows and the Amazons soon form an alliance, united in opposition to the Amazons' irrasible Uncle Jim, who is living on his houseboat whilst writing a book. They conclude that Uncle Jim is a retired pirate and henceforth call him Captain Flint.

The new allies decide to hold a private war to determine whether Swallow or Amazon should become their flagship. As their war reaches its climax, it coincides with the burglary of Captain Flint's houseboat, during which his trunk containing his manuscript is stolen. Captain Flint believes that the Swallows are to blame, a misunderstanding that Nancy soon puts right. Realising his mistake, Captain Flint is quick to apologise and, thinking his book is lost, he makes peace with the allies before challenging them to battle.

At the appointed hour the allies attack and seize Captain Flint's houseboat, strengthening their new friendship by making him walk the plank. However, the friendship is truly sealed when Titty and Roger find his lost trunk, thereby saving his book.

Swallows and Amazons concludes with a great storm on the lake, after which the Swallows and Amazons have to return to life ashore and a new year at school. They part with promises to meet again next year.

My thoughts:
I read this book aloud to my children a couple of years ago. This was a fun read and we all really enjoyed it. One day I hope to get around to the other titles in this series.

18 comments:

  1. Sounds like a good kiddie book.

    Here's my book

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  2. This series was a favorite of mine when I was a kid. There were almost impossible to find for years -- so glad they are getting renewed attention.

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  4. This one sounds fascinating! What a varied selection we're getting today with our S books!

    Mine is here:

    http://weboftyranny.blogspot.com/2009/12/z-wednesday_16.html

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  5. This sounds like a great book to share with children. It's another new to me title. There seems to be many of them this week.

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  6. Sounds interesting. I made a TBR list on my blog and added the Arthur Ransome Society to it.
    Thanks for posting
    MERRY CHRISTMAS

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  7. Sounds like a fun story.

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  8. Hi!
    Sounds like a great book! I'll have to check it out. Have a great day!

    Sherrie
    Just Books

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  9. Great "S" book!!

    Thanks for playing!!

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  10. Thanks for sharing this great sound "S" book! I will have to add it to my WL to get and share with my children!

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  11. This sounds like fun! I love kids books and it has the added bonus of being in the Lake District... : )

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  12. As I was reading the description, I thought how great it would be to read to kids.

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  13. I have not read this series, but it sounds great. Here is my S book.

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  14. This is a great xmas gift idea! Thanks!
    If you want to have a look, here's my S book.
    :-)
    ==lennie==

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  15. I loved these books! Thanks for reminding me about them so I can read or push them onto my kids. The Godine editions are my favorites.

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