Treasure Island

Children's Literature - Children's Literature

A glorious adventure set in the day of the infamous pirate Long John Silver. It is when young Jim Hawkins encounters an "Old Sea Dog" by the name of Billy Bones that his adventures begin. The death of Billy Bones, early in the story, brings Jim into contact with Dr. Livesey and the Squire. Upon the discovery of a treasure map among the belongings of Billy Bones, they decide that the three of them--Jim, Dr. Livesey and the Squire--will sail for this island where it has been discovered that the notorious Captain Flint buried his treasure. Long John Silver, in an attempt to get the treasure, comes on board their ship, the Hispaniola. Amazingly enough, it is the young Hawkins who is the spoiler of Silver's plan and one of the heroes of the story. Stevenson writes with such color and detail that the reader is transported onto the ship and into Jim Hawkins' adventure. In addition to the story, this edition of this timeless classic has a wonderful foreword written by Newberry author Avi. 2000, Aladdin Classics, Ages 7 to Adult, $7.98, $15.98, $6.95, $3.99. Reviewer: John D. Orsborn

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-Stripped down from the original, this version reads smoothly enough for younger readers to get the plot and essential characters straight and the oversized format gives the story and pictures import. But 14 Wyeth illustrations, murkily reproduced and in a garishly yellowed tint, hardly convey the artist's full-color, masterful, and classic depictions of the action. To see the real pictures, suggest that children look at the version published by Atheneum (1981). They might even read the whole story.-Susan Hepler, Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.