Gideon the Cutpurse

by Linda Buckley-Archer

The first part in a time-travel trilogy set in London in the 18th and 21st centuries.

EagerReaders is leery of contemporary books because of their political correctness and modern values. This book isn't without these elements, but overall it passes the smell test.

What I like the most about this book:

• The emphasis on the importance of family relationships. Every important character is influenced by his parents and siblings, or the lack of them.
• The theme of redemption. The three best characters are men who have committed some serious wrongs. Yet they aren't portrayed as cartoon villains, but rather as human beings with weaknesses, strengths, and consciences. These are, for me, the most compelling characters in the book.
• The evocation of 18th century London, with a heavy emphasis on the smell. Manners, clothes, and criminal justice also explored. We meet Johnson and Boswell and a few other historical figures.

What I didn't like:

• The main characters, two 12 year-old children from the 21st century, aren't very interesting, and their ill-mannered sniping at each other through much of the book is tedious. Perhaps they'll improve in the next book.
  
• The age of the children seems off. There is nothing like teen romance in this book, but it seems just a little out of place when an 18th century young man is attracted to 12 year-old Kate. It would have made more sense for her to be a couple of years older. I suppose the author wanted to start them off young so she could age them through the forthcoming books.
  

Warning: being part one of a trilogy, this volume doesn't finish the story.

I've only read the first volume but I'll probably read more.

The Dark is Rising sequence

Editorial review from Amazon:

In the five-title series of novels known as The Dark Is Rising Sequence, these children pit the power of good against the evil forces of Dark in a timeless and dangerous battle that includes crystal swords, golden grails, and a silver-eyed dog that can see the wind. Susan Cooper's highly acclaimed fantasy novels, steeped in Celtic and Welsh legends, have won numerous awards, including the Newbery Medal and the Newbery Honor. Now all five paperback volumes have been collected in one smart boxed set. These classic fantasies, complex and multifaceted, should not be missed, by child or adult. --Emilie Coulter

Must be read in order:

Over Sea, Under Stone (IA) +

The Dark is Rising (IA) +

Greenwitch (IA) +

The Grey King (IA) +

Silver on the Tree (IA) +

Return of the Twelves

The Return of the Twelves
by Pauline Clarke
(1962, 296 pages)

I think our 8-year old read this literally 12 times in row. (At age 11, she still likes it.) Similar in concept to the (later) Indian in the Cupboard books. The very cool thing about this story is that it is about the set of toy soldiers actually owned by the Bronte children, around which they created an elaborate fantasy game. The soldiers are rediscovered by children living near the old Bronte house. I won't give the rest away.