The Database Of All The Reviews
The Borrowers Afloat
Mary Norton
Illustrated by Beth and Joe Krush
Fiction (Series)
Ages 8 to 12
Harcourt, 2003, 0-15204-733-6
There is no doubt that living in the wall in the gamekeeper's cottage is not turning out to work as well as the Clock family had hoped. For one thing Uncle Hendreary and his family don't seem to be terribly happy to have them there now that the initial excitement is over. They are rather mean with the food and supplies and worse still, they are not keen for Pod to go borrowing in the house. What is Pod supposed to do with himself if he cannot go borrowing? It is all too much like living on the charity of others and the Clocks are just beginning to think that perhaps they should go somewhere else when the decision is made for them.
It appears that the gamekeeper and his grandson are moving and the cottage is going to be empty. Now everyone knows that borrowers cannot survive if there are no humans to borrow from. There is only one thing for it - the Clocks have to move on. Thankfully Spiller, a very independent and fearless borrower who gets out and about in the big world a great deal, comes to the rescue. He helps the Clocks get out of the cottage and then lets them live in his home, a kettle, for a while until they are able to find a new home of their own. He even suggests that they should move to a wonderful place where there are lots of miniature houses. Surely this model town would be perfect for the borrower family.
Of course things are never as straight forward as one hopes and the Clocks end up taking an incredible journey in Spiller's kettle, floating and bobbing down a stream, unsure of what is going to happen to them next.
This wonderful tale of high adventure, great dangers, and all sorts of trials and tribulations is sure to delight those readers who have been following the doings of this extraordinary little family. We come to admire the resourcefulness of Homily, Pod, and Arrietty and we cannot help wondering if we would cope as well as they do if we found ourselves homeless and floating down a stream to who knows where.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
An Online Children’s Book Review Journal
Through The Looking Glass Children’s Book Review
Online book reviews for the child in your life featuring both new and popular children's book authors
ACTION ALERT!
Reading is Fundamental (RIF) needs your help. The President's proposed fiscal year 2009 budget released in February eliminates the Inexpensive Book Distribution Program, which is the RIF Book Distribution Program. Unless Congress reinstates funding for this program, RIF will be unable to distribute 16 million books annually to the nation's youngest and most at-risk children. RIF serves 4.6 million children. Please click on the link below to visit the RIF Action Alert page so you can make your voice heard and support their efforts.
 |
Kids book reviews, including book reviews of chapter books, novels, picture books, and non-fiction from famous children’s literature authors. Your review site of books for children.