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The SILVER CROWN

The SILVER CROWN

List Price: $3.95
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 1 stars
Summary: think carefully first
Review: For what it's worth, I would advise any parent to think carefully about the child involved before giving this book as a gift. When the ten-year-old girl's house burns down, she tries to get help from a fireman, who refuses to believe that it's her home and family that have been destroyed. Then she tries to get help from a policeman, who also disbelieves her but agrees to bring her to the station, warning her that if she's fooling, "the Chief will be mad." The policeman leaves her to chase after a robber, leaving her on her own. Then she accepts some sandwiches from a stranger and (as if that wasn't enough) decides to hitchhike across state lines and hops into a car with a strange man.

Some children may understand the boundary between fact and fiction clearly, but I think for others, the story could introduce a level of doubt when it comes to asking for needed help from fire/police personnel. Added to the dangerous choices regarding strangers...good grief! The girl's experiences and behavior are not good models, and I would not recommend this book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Vivid imagery I can still remember as an adult
Review: I bought this book from my elementary school library when it was closing. I believe I was in fifth grade when I read it. I can still remember the vivid scenes in my mind to this day. The first book I couldn't put down and the only book I read in my childhood that I can still remember. I'd love to read it again. I just remember the boy's name to be Otto. I can't remember the girl's name. I remember when she first met Otto, he was living in the woods and would loot trucks that overturned on the nearby highway. Great read.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I looked for this book for 25 years...
Review: I first read this book when I was 10 years old - the same age as the heroine, Ellen. I continued to check it out from my small town library over the years until I graduated and left home at 18.

The bits and pieces I retained in my memory were tantalising... an independent, strong-willed girl; a boy, rather wild and untamed; a CROWN, omigosh, it made her a princess, couldn't that happen to me?? And, of course, the all-controlling Hieronymus Machine, with its ebony streets and handsome, albeit evil king. But was the king truly evil, or just an unwitting pawn?

This book has some mature themes, of which parents should be aware. There is a fire that appears to have destroyed her entire family. There is a description of a murder to which Ellen is an eyewitness. She accepts a ride from a stranger who turns out to be the murderer. There is a journey on her own that exposes her to danger and hardship. I was, as were my children, mature for my age and gobbled it up like candy. It may be a little dark and unnerving for some kids. If you feel your child can separate fantasy from reality, then I highly recommend this book as an introduction to reading a more challenging book then the pablum that is typical for this age.

I swore that if I could find this book, I would retype it and post it on my website for everyone to read. When I finally did find it, I paid 150.00 for it. Two months later, it was re-issued!! Oh, well. My children, then ages 13 & 11, had also fallen in love with it, so I got them each a hardback. My son bought 6 paperbacks (out of his OWN money) and donated them to his Lit teacher's class so it would always be available. This is one of my all-time favourite books, which is saying a lot because I read books like most people eat lunch.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Unforgetable!
Review: I first saw this book in a book store, I was looking through the shelves of books to find one for my 11th birthday. Then suddenly the title of this book caught my eyes and before I could help it, my hands grasp the book tight and I knew I had to buy it. Throughout this book, everything was so mysterious and horrifying! The seemed-to-be-friendly Mr. Gates, the lively and smart Otto, the helpful Jenny, the controlled white haired king, the evil Hieronymus Machine, and the brave Queen Ellen totally sucks you into the book!!! This story is very well written, with a carefully and convincingly developed plot, the story is thrilling and has a frightening sense of immediacy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Haunting Book
Review: I have read this book at least thirty times since I was a child. Whenever I re-read it, I still get the sense of creepiness and intrigue that first drew me to the book all those years ago. It is a plot that will draw you in and keep you guessing. Whenever I am asked "What's your favorite book?" This is the one that I answer.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not our favorite
Review: I read this book shortly after it came out. I loved it so much I stole it from the school library (I eventually 'fessed up and donated some money to replace it). Now I have the joy of reading it to my eight-year-old - and it reminds me of why I became a writer. I would recommend this to all children third grade or older, even though it definitely has some frightening and sad moments. It also has a strong female lead character - something the book world needs more of.

(...)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: My copy is battered, I should order another
Review: I've had this book for well over 20 years. I'd recommend it, but I also highly recommend reading what "anonymous" (the one-star review) has to say about being careful. This person raises some good points.

I never had a habit of writing in books. However, I found this penned on the flyleaf of my copy. I wrote it when I was 10.

A great book, I read it again and again. It was on my 1980 Christmas list, for I had read it in the... Library... Robert C. O'Brien is a newberry Award winning auther [sic]. He wrote Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, which is good and won the Newberry award.

By the way, tonight I've been researching Hieronymus and St. Jerome (mentioned on the tape Ellen listens to before seeing the King). I wonder why the author picked on St. Jerome - he led a pretty straightforward, scholarly life. Anyway, Hieronymus is an apt name to use for the Machine - Google him (but be warned - not for the squeamish).



Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Still captivating after all these years
Review: Like many of the people who have written reviews here, "The Silver Crown" was read to our class by my third grade teacher when I was 10 years old. I was absolutely fascinated by the story -- completely enthralled with it -- and once we finished reading it as a class I immediately went to the school library, checked it out, and read it again. In my mid-20's I suddenly remembered the book and the tremendous impact it had on me as a child, and I embarked on a campaign to find a copy of my own that I could someday share with my children. Easier said than done! But it was heartwarming to see that so many people have had a similar experience with this remarkable book. Fortunately I now own a copy and have re-read the story several times. Even as an adult I still find it full of mystery, excitement, and intrigue.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Still captivating after all these years
Review: Like many of the people who have written reviews here, "The Silver Crown" was read to our class by my third grade teacher when I was 10 years old. I was absolutely fascinated by the story -- completely enthralled with it -- and once we finished reading it as a class I immediately went to the school library, checked it out, and read it again. In my mid-20's I suddenly remembered the book and the tremendous impact it had on me as a child, and I embarked on a campaign to find a copy of my own that I could someday share with my children. Easier said than done! But it was heartwarming to see that so many people have had a similar experience with this remarkable book. Fortunately I now own a copy and have re-read the story several times. Even as an adult I still find it full of mystery, excitement, and intrigue.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Looks like lots of us remember this one!
Review: Like many of you, I was in fifth grade (mid-1960s) when I discovered this book. Our school librarian knew I loved books, and she pressed this one into my hands as soon as she received it. :) Along with _The Phantom Tollbooth_, The Silver Crown is one of my most memorable childhood reads. I don't remember the plot so much as the imagery -- dark, tense, and electrifying. I looked it up today thinking it's something my 12-year-old might like to read while he waits for the next Harry Potter book. I'm so sorry to see it's out of print. I guess I'll read through the rest of the customer reviews to see if anyone else has been able to find it. Judging from the lasting impression it made on the pre-Gen X consciousness, it looks like the publisher would do well to re-release it!


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