Lynne Reid BanksReviews

Dakin is a 14-year-old girl who dreams of meeting a gargoyle, marrying a prince, and visiting the Farthest-Away Mountain, which no one has ever managed to do. One day she thinks she sees the mountain nod to her, so she takes that as a sign and sets out to do All the Things. Adventures ensue.

A middle grade fantasy that feels like a bedtime story a parent makes up as she goes along, in the sense that it seems a little hodgepodge with “and then…and then…” vibes. Which isn’t necessarily all that bad, although the writing could be a little less clunky.

3.5*

I first read this years ago as a child and have just been rereading it with my kids. Plot wise, I didn’t enjoy this sequel as much as the original. It had its moments but just wasn’t as enjoyable a read. The cultural disrespect and racial insensitivity is still present, though a bit less intense than in the first.

I adored this book as a child in the early ‘90s and was excited to reread it with my sons. I still love the magical premise of the story, as did my kids. Being able to bring toys to life is basically every kid’s dream, after all.

When I originally read this book 30 years ago, it was a very different time. I’m not excusing anything as ok; it was just different, and society has since learned better. That said, even though I love the story, I cringed and edited all the way through reading it with my children. It did present opportunities for educational and edifying discussions about racism, stereotypes, and cultural respect and appreciation.

I’d love to see this series rewritten with collaborators of Haudenosaunee heritage and expertise. It would take a full rewrite, though, to scrub all the problematic bits and reframe certain aspects of the story. It has a lot of good in it, but there’s also a lot that would benefit from a heavy update.

Fantasy

Murder

Fantasy

Representation: Jewish characters
Trigger warnings: Military violence and war themes, death of a person, grief and loss depiction, amputation, explosions
Score: Six points out of ten.
I own this book.

This novel was hiding on my shelves but I put it off for a while but when I ran out of reading material I got from the two libraries I visited, I didn't have many options left, so I finally picked it up and read it. When I finished it, I thought it was only okay, but it does have its strengths, and it aged well considering the circumstances.

It starts with the first character I see, Lesley, whose last name I forgot, living in 20th century Canada and everything looks typical at first until only a few pages in, her family announces that they will travel to Israel to stay there for a few days, much to Lesley's annoyance. Despite Lesley pleading to stay in Canada, her efforts fell on deaf ears and she goes to Israel anyway. Lesley arrives at a place called a kibbutz (after some research, I discovered that it's like a community everyone contributes to) which takes up the middle pages of the narrative. Here's where both its strengths and flaws surface: Lesley is a realistic character because she wasn't likable at first but eventually, through her development, she grew on me. However, the other people in the story didn't have as great of an execution than Lesley and the author missed an opportunity to write those characters well also. Soon enough, the Six Day War starts, and afterwards, Israel won, and Lesley has a realisation that war is not as great as it seems. The ending is a low note. It's also unclear if Lesley returned to Canada (or I forgot that.)

My friend Linds had this on her shelf and suggested I give it a try - being short and having time during our hang out I figured sure!

This is very much like the Gail Carson Levine fairy tale books - though this predates them by 20 years of course. A young girl with a very set dream, the will to make it happen and fearlessness to see it through. This would have been one of my favorites as a child if I had read it then.

I like that for Dakin it wasn't her being stubborn or arrogant, she had QUESTIONS and NOTIONS and didn't see why she shouldn't have the answers. Ok well only wanting to marry a prince was a bit arrogant, but plenty of folk want to marry royalty and princes do seem dashing from far away and in stories.

This novelisation covers the first part of the Bronte story. The last bit requires a box of tissues, metaphorically speaking, especially when Anne dies (the story closes before Charlotte's marriage and I think Banks wrote a second novel to cover that).

Independent Reading Level: Grade 3-4
Awards: California Young Reader Medal 1985 Won
Virginia Young Readers Program Award 1987 Won
Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award 1988 Nominated
Massachusetts Children's Book Award 1988 Won

Unfortunately, as is usually the case, this sequel, like most others, lack the awe and wonder of the first book.

How often does a book stand up to your childhood reading of it? Almost never. This one does.

For some reason, I couldn't stop reading this. It's the story of Charlotte Bronte following the death of all her siblings until her own death. Their story was told in "Dark Quartet;" now, it becomes the story of Charlotte alone.
Charlotte Bronte, as well as her two sisters, published under a pen name at first. But the secret of Jane Eyre's authorship could only be kept for so long...and once it was out, her popularity knew no bounds. Her personality was ill suited to handle such fame.
"The infliction of strangers--especially of a sophisticated breed, with their epigrammatic style of conversation and their sharp, sly wit demanding constant ripostes--was an enervating torment to her; she could never be at ease except among those who spoke plainly and intelligently and who liked her for herself."
Fortunately, Charlotte doesn't have to be in the thick of it all the time; her home in Yorkshire is quiet, though trying in its own way. Also, her fame brings her in touch with a few true friends, especially Elizabeth Gaskell (who would later be asked to write the first biography of Charlotte).

The true story of Charlotte Bronte's struggles makes for fascinating reading. Especially the parts where she ruthlessly analyzes whether she is cut out for married life or spinsterhood...and if she marries for the sake of not being lonely, to what degree should she expect sympathy of mind and heart from a husband? There is no easy answer, but eventually she, sort of, finds her answer.

I am again impressed by the balance between biography and fiction that Lynne Reid Banks manages to achieve. The book certainly read as smoothly as a novel, but I was never assailed by doubts that the real Charlotte Bronte might not have said or felt something ascribed to her, and everything I read matched up to what I previously knew of her life.

There's no denying it, every single one of the Bronte sisters had an unfair life, cut tragically short. But their tenacity and creative genius still make a powerful impression, one worth reading about.

This is a fascinating novelization/biography of the four Bronte siblings, three of whom are responsible for literary masterpieces that still resonate to this day.

While it was a bit on the long side, the writing was never dull. I believe Lynne Reid Banks to have relied somewhat on speculation for some of the events, but she also roots her action in the real letters and documentation that exist for the Bronte family. I thus feel that I've been given a fair view of their personalities and lives.

Each person in the family comes across with a distinct tone--ambitious, passionate Charlotte; hermitlike, brilliant Emily; sweet, persevering Anne; and...Branwell...promising but weak. I was so pulled into the story of the three sisters and how their rich inner lives clashed with their narrow circumstances.
Though this book ends with the sad deaths of three of the siblings, I am looking forward to the sequel, which details how Charlotte pushes forward with her writing.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for providing me with a free digital review copy of this new edition.

I just picked this up for a quick re-read. This was a book from elementary school that I read once and loved so much, the name stuck in my head and I was able to look it up years later. I loved fantasy as a child, and I think this book may be one of the reasons why.

Re-reading it, I can see why I loved it. Dakin is independent and adventurous, and the story has really vivid imagery. And I really like that the ending (view spoiler).

Definitely a keeper to read to my future hypothetical children.

Fairy-tale with charm and not too much predictability. I read this with my 14 year old daughter and we both found it gentle yet engaging for us.

very good - Ruthie

Enjoyed this as a child, enjoyed reading it again.

The boys and I just finished this one. It was great. So nice to read a fun interesting book after the last few we have dragged ourselves through. Everyone begged for the story and sat still and listened which is not always the case.

There was no great message here. I guess you could say that treating each other right no matter how different would be the main lesson. But mostly this was a story that illustrated the magic of childhood. Kids live in a world where things like this seem possible. It is sad to see children grow out of this sense of wonder and possibility. It was a fun story that I am glad to finally read. It was published after I was all grown up alas so I had to wait to read it to my sons.

One caveat. What was up with the names of the boys? Omri? Gillon? Adiel? Those are some everyday type names.

A birthday present of a plastic Indian, a cupboard, and a little key brings adventure to a 9-year-old boy.

Darling little fairy tale in the style of "The Search for Delicious." There should be more books like this.

The boys loved this book sooo much! They are begging me to get the sequel!

I can only barely remember reading this book as a child, and I can barely remember thinking it was okay.

Too much plot, too little Little Bear yet the characters and soul of the Indian and the Cupboard series are irresistible. I know there only four. I would gladly read twenty.

This was a beloved book when I was a child, and I still enjoy rereading it every now and then.