Two Kid Schoolhouse
Farewell, Swallows and Amazons! Apr. 30, 2007
Last night we read the last chapter in the last book of the "Swallows and Amazons" series of books by Arthur Ransome. Great Northern? was, perhaps, my favorite of the books. Maybe that was because it was a bittersweet time, reading the last book of 12. Maybe it was because we'd been to the general location of this book, the island of Skye. Maybe it was just the most exciting!
It took us a long time to get through the series of 12 books. We started in June of 2006. We didn't read too many other "fun" books during that time; I think we took only an occasional break. But sometimes travel, or "school" books, or other things got in the way. We took a break before starting the last book because we just weren't ready for the series to end. It's hard to imagine now that we almost didn't finish the first book. E was a bit put off; there is a lot of technical sailing information at the beginning. But we are so glad we persevered! I don't know how many times E said "I wish Arthur Ransome was still alive so he could write more books!" And we read this one at a very leisurely pace. We could have finished it while on our little trip last week, but left the last chapter till we got home. We were busy on Saturday, and reluctant to finish, so we didn't get back to it right away. But last night after dinner I made some tea - I must drink tea while reading these books - and we read the last little bit. Of course it had a happy ending, but there were tears on my part, and maybe J's too - he was sitting in a way that his face was hidden - on purpose.
It is hard to say goodbye to these books. I know my kids will read them on their own someday. They are written for about ages 9 - 12 to read on their own, but they are long - at least 300 pages - and not always easy going. I think they are much better suited to a family read-aloud.
In a few days, or weeks, or sometime when I have leisure time, I will post mini-reviews of all 12 books, and put up some links to Arthur Ransome sites. And I've updated my sidebar to include a category just for all the posts I've written on the books.
I can't recommend these books highly enough. Except for a few politically incorrect words and characterizations - these books were written in the 1930's, after all - they are wonderful, exciting, uplifting, well-written, happy books. I wish we had read them before our trip to England and Scotland; we would have planned excursions to relevant sites. If we ever go back, we'll do just that. I have a fantasy that someday I'll write a study guide to the books. Hmm...
Please, please, please read these books! |
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Must read book review! Mar. 11, 2007
Eleven of Twelve Mar. 2, 2007
Last week my kids and I were apart for 5 days. This is the 2nd time we've been separated for that long a period. It was hard but not too hard - they were with good friends so I knew they were safe, well-cared-for, and having fun.
The 3 days before we parted ways, we were without a fun read-aloud. This was somewhat OK as the days before a trip are always very hectic for me. We have been immersed in the Swallows and Amazons books by Arthur Ransome and had finished number 10 of 12 books. We didn't want to start the next book - The Picts and the Martyrs - till we were together again.
I wondered how long we'd be home before they'd ask me to start reading. It wasn't very long, maybe a couple of hours. We will finish it tomorrow - at 300 pages it's shorter than most in the series, but we won't start the next - and last! - book till the end of next week, as we are having houseguests for a few days.
This has been a wonderful series of books to read. Lately I've noticed it showing up on more booklists; I don' t know if it's getting more popular in this country (they were written and set in England's Lake District in the 1930s), or if I'm just noticing them now. It'll be a little sad when we finish. I think I'm ready to move on to something new, but I will miss the wonderful characters we've met. I know my kids will be even sadder than I am. But it won't be long before they are clamoring for something new!
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Another great story finished... Sep. 12, 2006
and the next ready to start.
We finished Winter Holiday today, one of the Swallows and Amazons series by Arthur Ransome. When we had 3 chapters to go, I had the kids get the table cleared up and ready for dinner while I read one chapter. (That was about 2 hours ago and it's a mess again with new library books and E's craft projects.) After that chapter we ran to the library so avoid overdue fines, pick up some holds, and check to see if Coot Club, the next in the series, was on the shelf. It was! We raced home and read the last 2 chapters. Aahhh... what a satisfying ending. Tomorrow we will start Coot Club.
We were checking out the Arthur Ransome site to see if our favorite characters would appear in all the books. We noticed that one book takes place on Skye in the Outer Hebrides. We all screamed when I read that! About a year ago we were traveling in the UK and stayed on Skye. But we will read the books in order, so it'll be a while before we get to that one.
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Arthur Ransome Aug. 7, 2006
Anyone else love Arthur Ransome's novels? We read Swallows and Amazons last month. It's about 4 siblings summering in England's Lake District; Swallow is the sailboat they have the use of for the summer. They end up camping on a "desert island" in the middle of the lake, with no adults to supervise them - what a dream! (Mom and baby sister stay on the "mainland;" Daddy's away working.) They meet some pirate friends (two sisters, the Amazons) and a retired pirate (the girls' uncle). They have a war, they capture a ship, they find buried treasure. After a bit of a slow start - too much technical sailing information in the beginning for E - we grew to love it. I I blogged about it and our serendipitous sailing trip before.
Now we are reading Swallowdale. We had to stop in the middle because E had a 3-day sleepover with some friends. When our friends brought her home, they stayed overnight at our house. Less than an hour after they left, the kids were begging me to get back into Swallowdale.
These are the kinds of read-alouds that capture the imagination and spark a lot of creative play. There are a lot of books in these series, but these are not "series" novels. This is not twaddle - surely Charlotte Mason would approve of these books.
Apparently Mr. Ransome is very popular in England, much more so than here in the US. This site has a lot of information on the books and the author, including a guide to the books. Very much worth checking out!
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Serendipity Jul. 4, 2006
According to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary: the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for. Some might prefer the term providence: divine guidance or care.
Whatever. Right now the kids and I are reading Swallows and Amazons, a lovely book about a group of siblings on summer holiday, with a "desert" island (the story is set in England's Lake District) and a sailboat. It is a wonderful book; they want me to read some RIGHT NOW, and when I'm not reading (or they are engaged in chores or meals) they are playing it. I hear "Sail's the thing" frequently throughout the day.
So it was quite serendipitous or providential that we were invited to go sailing today. It was the kids' first time on a sailboat.
Now, I wasn't surprised that J jumped at the chance. E, I thought, would be hesitant. In fact, I was counting on that because I despise small boats. I dislike water intensely. I do fear drowning. I also get seasick. So I thought "hmmm, maybe she won't want to go, then I don't have to." But she wanted to, very much!
OK, I could have stayed home. I wanted to stay home. But more than that, I wanted to show the kids that we can and should try new things, even things we think we dislike. I also thought someone might get scared at the last minute, or sick, and it'd be good to have another adult around. I tossed a book in the car so I'd have reading material, just in case. I also took a large quantity of foul-weather gear.
I was hopeful when, as we were walking out the door, C said "I think I just heard thunder."
The day on the river was gorgeous. Enough sunshine to be warm, but not scorching. Enough breeze to move a boat, but not gusty. The kids had a wonderful time. E never stopped smiling. They got to see the boat parts described in the book. They got to ask questions and hold on to rope, and steer.
I still don't like small boats, and there were a hundred other things I'd rather have spent my time on today. But I'm so glad I didn't miss the joy on my kids' faces while they were enjoying their sail!
"Sail's the thing!"
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