Children - Fiction & Literature

By the Great Horn Spoon!

Name: By the Great Horn Spoon!
Author: Sid Fleischman
ISBN: 9780316286121

by Sid Fleischman, Eric Von Schmidt

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Overview

In this rollicking adventure set during the California Gold Rush, Jack's aunt is forced to sell her beloved mansion to meet her debts. She is still unable to raise enough money to pay her creditors, and twelve-year-old Jack goes to California in search of gold to help her. Joined by his trusty butler, Praiseworthy, Jack finds adventure and trouble at every turn. Will Jack strike gold in San Francisco or come home empty-handed?
This new edition features illustrations by Brett Helquist.

Jack and the butler stow away on a side-wheeler bound for California where they join the Gold Rush of 1849

Synopsis

In this moving tale of love and adventure, Jack's aunt is forced to sell her beloved mansion to meet her debts. She is still unable to raise enough money to pay her creditors, and Jack goes to California in search of gold in order to help her. Text copyright 2004 Lectorum Publications, Inc.

Publishers Weekly

Listeners can find historic detail from America's early days in By the Great Horn Spoon! by Sid Fleischman, a novel set during the California Gold Rush of 1849. A full cast relays the exploits of 12-year-old orphan Jack Flagg and his butler, Praiseworthy, as they leave Boston (stowaways on a San Francisco-bound ship) and seek their fortunes in the wild and dangerous territory of the West. In addition to the fine narrator and leads, colorful schemers and villains abound on this high-octane recording. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

About the Author, Sid Fleischman

SID FLEISCHMAN has written over three dozen books for young readers, including the Newbery Award winner The Whipping Boy. Mr. Fleischman lives in Santa Monica, California.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Two tales of trickery and exaggeration by the Newbery Medalist feature adventures in the Old West and during the California Gold Rush. Ages 8-12. April

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-Listeners are in for a treat with this satisfying reading of Sid Fleischman's novel (Little, 1963). Brimming with riveting adventure, the story is set during the Gold Rush. The fast-moving plot follows the high spirited young Jack and his aunt's faithful butler, Praiseworthy, as they set out to strike it rich in order to support the financially strapped and beloved Aunt Arabella. As Jack and the loyal butler travel by sea and land, the pair meet a series of memorable characters such as the daring, crusty sea Captain Swain and the diabolical Cut-Eye Higgins. The individual personalities of the characters are reflected through the expressive voices rendered by the large cast of 24 readers. Jack and Praiseworthy are the most well-rounded characters. While some of the readers use more expression than others, Willard E. Lape, Jr.'s strong narration is crisp and well-paced. Bouncy folk-style music, appropriate to the historical setting, separates each chapter. This entertaining production is a worthy purchase for libraries with large children's audio collections.-Lynn K. Vanca, Akron-Summit County Public Library, OH Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.