By the Great Horn Spoon! by Sid Fleischman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m decades past my school years, but I must confess that I still love reading Sid Fleischman books. Djingo Django, The Ghost in the Noonday Sun, By the Great Horn Spoon. He’s a wonderful writer and he possesses a rare, distinctive voice that puts me in mind of Robert Taylor. Actually, I’d peg Fleischman as Taylor’s younger brother. Even though he writes for children, his books are immensely enjoyable for anyone who hasn’t gone too far down the road of nihilism (whether personal or taste in literature).
The scenery of Horn Spoon, whether it be ship life or the California gold fields, plays a marvelous second fiddle to the characters Fleischman lovingly constructs, winds up, and lets fly. The butler Praiseworthy is a favorite of mine. I wish I had his patience, his hope, and (of course) his boxing skills. The adventures he and Jack have on their way to gold, fortune, and saving the family are delightful and easily stand up to repeated reads.
Warning: you must be somewhat a child at heart to properly enjoy this story.
Cool! So far I only knew Fleischman from “Danny and the Dinosaur”. Thanks for the education.
Thank you – am always desperate for reading with an emphasis on boys -and that book cover looks like something a boy would relish.
My cousin’s sons are enjoying the Tormay Trilogy – now if my boys/pilot would hand over the kindle I could finish it too. New Year’s Resolution: reclaim the kindle.
Those three Fleischman books that I mentioned are superb for boys. He’s written quite a lot of other stories, but those are my favorites.