Treasure Island

ANNOTATION

While going through the possessions of a deceased guest who owed them money, the mistress of the inn and her son find a treasure map that leads them to a pirate's fortune. Includes illustrated notes throughout the text explaining the historical background of the story.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

First published over a century ago, this extraordinary tale of long-lost treasure and revenge remains one of the most memorable in classic literature. In this unabridged gift edition, two-time Cladecott Medal-winning illustrators Leo and Diane Dillon capture perfectly the grandeur, beauty and perils of Captain Nemo's underwater world.

SYNOPSIS

Set sail to the heart of adventure with cabin boy, Jim Hawkins, aboard the legendary scoundrel, Captain Long John Silver. A secret treasure map becomes the key to heart-pounding thrills, danger and swashbuckling action as a boy faces the high seas and the grandest pirate of all in the adventure of a life time.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The Scribner Storybook Classic line adds Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, abridged by Timothy Meis, with vintage illustrations by N.C. Wyeth. Young Jim Hawkins finds a treasure map and follows it to South America, only to wind up in the hands of the notorious pirate Long John Silver. Climactic scenes of aggressive mutineers or the hero's valiant attempt to keep the evil Mr. Hands at bay come alive in Wyeth's atmospheric oil paintings. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

In another classic story, Ron Miller has retold of Professor Aronnax's time as a guest/prisoner of Captain Nemo aboard the submarine Nautilus. In addition to the exciting story, readers are offered plenty of information about the period, whaling, undersea life, diving suits and submarines through factual insets that are accompanied by photographs, paintings, drawings, maps and artifacts. It is more than the story, it is a lesson in history, social studies, oceanography and more. The most amazing fact is that this story was written in 1870 when science and technology had yet to produce submarines or scuba equipment and the many other things of which Captain Nemo was so proud. Verne was a true visionary and one of the earliest science fiction writers; this underwater saga continues to fascinate readers more than a hundred years after publication. This title and others in the "Eyewitness Classics" series are a wonderful way to introduce today's kids to yesterday's great stories.

Children's Literature - Childrens 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.

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