The Trumpeter of Krakow (1929)

(If any of you noticed, I skipped the 1928 winner, Gay Neck, the Story of a Pigeon, due to its being checked out at the library by somebody else.  I never thought that I would have any competition on that one.  Not only is it checked out, but there is another patron who has a hold placed, so it may be several weeks before I get to comment on the pigeon book.)

A few weeks ago, one of my faithful followers asked which was the earliest Newbery book I remember reading as a child.  This is it.  I must have read this book in late elementary or maybe middle school.  When I saw it on the list I remembered liking it, but couldn't have told you any plot or character details.  I don't like it now as much as I think I liked it then.  Which isn't to say that I was not entertained. (One of my sisters-in-law recently decided to not reread books she had enjoyed as a child for just that reason, she wants to keep the high opinion of them that she formed on first reading.) 

The story centers on a family from the Ukraine (under Polish control at the time) who travel to Krakow after their estate has been ravished by treasure hunters.  The hunt continues in Krakow, while the family change their name and try to lay low and be as inconspicuous as possible.  They meet several very nice people in Krakow who help them find work and get acclimated.

The treasure hunters seek the Great Tarnov Crystal that the Charnetski family have been guarding for hundreds of years--father passing to son with an oath to protect the crystal or deliver it to the king, if their secret is ever discovered.  It is said to have magical properties, allowing those who gaze into its depths to see the future, gain hidden knowledge and access to mysteries.

One of the themes in the book is the making of oaths and how important it is to keep our word.  The Charnetski family had taken an oath to protect the crystal.  They kept that oath.  Andrew, the father, was willing to sacrifice his livelihood and his very life, to keep the crystal safe. 

Another oath kept was that of the trumpeter of Krakow.  This is actually a true part of the story.  You can read about the trumpeter and listen to his song at http://www.krakow-info.com/hejnal.htm .  The trumpeter took an oath to keep watch over the city and sound the heynal on the hour from each side of the tower of St. Mary's cathedral.  When Andrew and his son, Joseph, become sounders of the trump, they take that oath as well.

Another theme of the book is that of wisdom verses wealth.  A couple of the characters practice alchemy, the "science" of trying to turn baser metals into gold.  Of course, they do not succeed, but they have some good conversations on whether wealth will help them obtain what is really important to them.  In the course of trying their experiments, they end up destroying half of the city in fire.  We can draw some conclusions from that...

To sum up, I enjoyed rereading The Trumpeter of Krakow.  I think children would like it with the fighting, mystery, castles, spies, and just a touch of romance.  Adults would probably like it too.  I did not like it as well as I remembered, I think because the ending was too clean--all loose ends were tied up, but children probably need the sense of closure and to know that all is well in the world.

Kelly, Eric P. The Trumpeter of Krakow.  Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc, 1928.

Smoky the Cowhorse (1927)

Sometimes, you read a book that keeps you thinking.  You might not have thought much about it while reading it, but it keeps coming back.  I finished Smoky the Cowhorse several days ago.  Today I drove to Athens, TX, about 2 hours drive each way, and had time to listen to the radio.  I started out with news about Egypt and the great revolution which has recently unfolded.  I went on to sing-along to Bohemian Rhapsody and other fun songs.  And then I spotted some horses in a field.  Brown with white on their noses and legs.  And the first thing I thought of was Smoky.

Smoky the Cowhorse is written from the perspective of the horse, mostly, and partly from the man who loved and trained him, Clint.  A strong cowboy accent pervades the writing, which I found slightly annoying at first, but then it kind of grew on me.

Smoky, a wild mustang pony in Wyoming, was owned by the Rocking R ranch, although he did not know that.  His herd ranged the hills and plains, fattening up in spring and summer, foraging through snow and bizzards in winter, until he is spotted and kept to be broken for a cattle horse.  Clint did the breaking for the Rocking R.  When he saw Smoky, he knew he had found a horse worth keeping for life.  He loved him and taught him all he could as gently as he could, although Smoky resisted mightily.  But Smoky comes to love Clint as well.

Smoky and Clint gain a reputation for their devotion.  Smoky will not let another rider on him and had saved Clint's life more than once.  But, as in life, a little opposition keeps it interesting. 

A really bad dude rustled Smoky.  He did not just steal him, he broke him.  Clint "broke" him to the saddle and to work.  This man broke his spirit and trust.  He beat him cruelly and eventually, Smoky fought back.

I won't go into all the details, but after years of separation, Clint and Smoky reunite.

This book has caused me to look a little differently at how animals are used.  Clint took these wild animals of immense power and beauty and trained them.  He didn't make them tame, but made them useful.  The work they did was necessary for the running of the ranch and having hardy ponies was imperative.  But, it felt wrong to me, to take them out of the wild and the life they had known of freedom, rather than taking stock that was bred for usefulness. (I'm not sure if I'm making the difference I feel about this clear.) 

I'm looking at this story now in an allegorical sense.  If you look at Clint as the God figure, and at Smoky as us, people, it kind of makes sense.  Clint took Smoky and did not change his being, or sense of self or lessen his abilities.  Clint took Smoky and made him something more than he was before.  He took Smoky's natural abilities and taught him how to use those to greater purpose.  And he did this out of love.

God takes us, rebellious wild things, and does the same.  He doesn't want to change who we are, we are his children.  He does want us to be more than we think we can be.  And through his gentle training and coaxing, we can become great.  The Lord shows us what we can do and be with his power.  I recently read a quote that I really liked.  "We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day." (Richard G. Scott, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character," Ensign, Nov. 2010,43.)

Smoky was a good read.  I don't know that kids these days would like it as much as I did.  It isn't fast- paced, and the subject matter is far removed from these modern days, but I liked the development in the relationship between Clint and Smoky.  I liked the pace and the flavor and learning about cowboys and life in the olden days.  I think if you could get a child into it, they would enjoy it as well.

James, Will.  Smoky the Cowhorse. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1926.

Shen of the Sea (1926)

Although entertaining, many of the stories in this collection do little to encourage industry or common sense, while at the same time rewarding the characters.  The first story, for instance, "Ah Mee's Invention," explains how printing came to be invented.  The main characters, a father, son, and uncle, through temper and intemperance accidentally invent printing and end up revered.  Another one, "As Hai Low Kept House," tells of how a man with no common sense whatsoever ends up, quite by accident, becoming king.  There are more examples, but I don't want to belabor the point.

Several stories showed great thinkers who got themselves and others out of a bind by using their heads.  The book's namesake story, "Shen of the Sea," is about King Chieh Chung and how he tricked the shen of the sea so that his city would not be flooded. ("Shen" means demon or demons, kind of like "sheep" is singular or plural.)  "Long he stroked his beard, pondering, grieving, praying." (p. 34)  We could benefit by being more like that--pondering and praying.

My favorite story was "Four Generals."  Prince Chang left home to see the kingdom, but was very inexperienced and so got into a few binds and was helped by a fiddler (Tang), a tailor (Wang), a shepherd (Mang), and an archer (Lang).  To each of them he promised a generalship when he became king, at which they each laughed, thinking Chang just a poor traveller.  The old king soon died, and Chang did indeed become king, and at the same time, enemy armies approached the city.  Chang sent for his new friends--Tang, Wang, Mang and Lang--and made them generals.

The first battle was won by General Wang, the tailor.  He had all of the tailors in the city make uniforms for the army, hundreds and thousands of uniforms.  The small army marched past the enemy in one uniform, quickly changed to another color of uniform and marched past again, and again, and again.  Each time in a new color of uniform.  The enemy, scared of such a huge army, retreated.

The General Tang won the second battle.  He played such a song on his violin that made all the enemy soldiers weep and long for home.  "Morning saw the hostile camp deserted.  Soldier after soldier had stolen away in the darkness, thinking only of home" (p.93-94) 

Then comes Mang.  General Mang outsmarted the enemy in the next encounter by running sheep through the their camp.  Tired and very hungry, the men chased after the sheep and while they were gone, Mang burned their empty camp.

General Lang, the last of the group to show his colors, asked the king to decree "that all cases at law be settled by a trial with bow and arrow." (p. 95)  He showed great wisdom in this, for all cases brought to court would be decided by target practice.  Hence, all those going to court practiced with the bow many hours to be sure they would win.  When the enemy came again, the kingdom had a large force of archers with which to defend the kingdom.  Enemy spies had seen the new army of archers and simply went home.  "Thus, without loss of a man, was the kingdom saved for Chang, by Wang, Tang, Mang, and Lang." (p. 97)

Shen of the Sea and Tales from Silver Lands were not my favorites.  I prefer books that have a narrative running throughout.  I'm sure that cultural differences also influence my opinion.  Both of these books contain good stories, but I found it difficult to put myself into the characters' positions.  And that is what really draws me into a book, being able to see myself in the people living in the story.

Chrisman, Arthur Bowie.  Shen of the Sea.  E.P. Dutton & Co., 1925.

Tales From Silver Lands

Tales from Silver Lands is a collection of folk tales and myths from South America.  Strength, bravery and quick-thinking characterize many of the tales.  Some witch, giant or other type of monster comes to a land and the strong young men have to find a way to defeat the foe, often with help from old grandmothers or mysterious travellers.  "For the brave one is not he that does not fear, but rather he that fears and yet does the thing that he has set out to do." (p.204)  "Many there are, Na-Ha, who live not to know of the good that they do." (p. 35)

Another theme that runs through many of the stories is that the simple life and hard work are best.  "This is a land where men believe in gold alone, and much blood is spilled because of it.  Far better is it that men should choose that which is in the earth." (p. 25)  "Little things left undone soon become big things." (p. 163)  "The trouble is, you can't be happy when everything is done for you." (p. 169)  In the October 2010 General Conference, Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, "There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions." (Ensign, Nov. 2101, p. 20)

Good triumphs over evil.  "But evil, though it may touch the good, cannot for ever bind it." (p. 19)

Two of the stories dealt with wishing, and how our wishes can be our undoing.  "Wishes are no good and he who wishes, risks.  For why?  Whenever you wish, you leave out something that should not be left out, and so things go wrong." (p. 127)  "For you must know that no man knows the thing that is best for him and for his welfare, and many are apt to see some little things as desirable, the which in time work out for their own undoing." (p. 185)

The author, Charles J. Finger, spent time in South America.  At the beginning of several of the stories, he describes the setting in which he heard the story being told.  I enjoyed learning how he heard them as much as I enjoyed the stories themselves, and wish he had told how he heard each one of them.

My favorite story was "The Wonderful Mirror," probably because it seems most like the fairy tales of the West.  There is a magical mirror, an evil step-mother, a beautiful maiden, a brave young man, a white two-headed toad.  (Okay, the evil toad is not in any fairy tale I remember.) 

One final quote to wish you all a happy day.  "It is well enough to have a good cry, but it is better to be gay and have a good laugh." (p. 60)

Finger, Charles J. Tales from Silver Lands.  Doubleday, 1924.

The Dark Frigate

First question--What exactly is a frigate?  Dictionary.com says "1. a fast naval vessel of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, generally having a lofty ship rig and heavily armed on one or two decks."  This novel happens to be set in the early 17th century, but that definition seems to fit the ship in question. 

The protagonist, nineteen-year-old Philip Marsham, on the death of his father is left nearly penniless and wholly friendless.  His father had been a sailor and Philip has the sea in his blood.  Upon running away from a mishap in London, Philip meets two sailors inland.  He joins with one of them, Martin, walking to a port to find work on a ship.  A dodgy character this Martin turned out to be.  They find work on the Rose of Devon, but they give help to a stranded band of sailors on the high seas who turn out to be pirates!!

It is quite the adventure story.  Being a tale of the high seas, much of the vocabulary was dealing with sailing vessels.  Either look up words like ketch, mizzenmast, boatswain, halyard, scuppers, etc., to find their meaning, or you could do like I did and just skim over those words.  The story is still good without knowing the technicalities of masted sailing vessels.

The pirates who take over the ship are like the pirates we see in movies (well, not Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow).  They are selfish, mean, murderous men who scheme, cheat, lie and kill on a whim.  This passage describes the murder of the captain of the Rose of Devon by the pirates.  "Thereupon, turning like a flash, Captain Candle spitted the scoundrel with his sword.  But the man lying in wait on the right of the door saw his fellow's blow fail and perceived the reason, and leaping on the captain from behind, he seized his oiled hair with one hand and hauled back his head, and reaching forward with the other hand, drove a knife into the captain's bare throat." (p. 112)

We find some good morals in The Dark Frigate.  One that crops up often is the peril of strong drink.  "He had a keen mind and strong will, and his head had long resisted the assaults of the wine; but wine is a cunning, powerful foe and not easily discouraged, which by sapping and mining can accomplish the fall of the tallest citadel." (p. 32)  Then, there is a whole chapter beginning on page 144, entitled "A Wonderful Excellent Cook," which mocks the man who over indulges, and also shows the cruelty of the pirate captain, the Old One.

Another moral is to choose your friends wisely.  Philip chose to stay with Martin even though he sees and hears things that make him dubious of the honesty of his new "friend."  If he had parted company with Martin when first suspicious, this book would have been much shorter and rather boring.  But in real life, choosing friends who will help you keep your integrity is very important and can be one of the best decisions you ever make.

This passage describes one of the leaders of the pirate crew.  "His light, incisive speech, so unlike the boisterous ranting of the Old One, in its own way curiously influenced even the Old One himself.  A man who has a trick of getting at sound reasons, unmoved my bluster or emotion, can hold his own in any company; and many a quiet voice can fire a ship's crew to action as a slow match fires a cannon." (p. 129)  I include this for a couple of reasons.  It gives a flavor for Hawes' writing style.  Maybe a bit difficult for younger readers, but I liked it because it made me think about what I was reading and its meaning.  I also appreciated the sentiment.  Sometimes when me meet someone who talks over much, or is too loud or emotional, we don't give as much heed to them as someone who says little, but when they do speak, it is something worth hearing.

In conclusion, I very much enjoyed The Dark Frigate, although I think it better for middle or high school readers and recommend it to readers who want a good adventure tale.

Hawes, Charles Boardman. The Dark Frigate. Little, Brown and Company, 1971.

(Did anyone notice I figured out how to include a picture of the book cover?)

The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle

Hugh Lofting first wrote of Doctor Dolittle in letters home to his family while serving in the trenches of World War I.  He was from England, but later moved to the United States.  The character he created became the famous Dr. Dolittle.  The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, the second in the Dr. Dolittle series, is narrated by his travelling companion, Tommy Stubbins.  Tommy Stubbins accompanied the doctor when he was a young boy and explains in the prologue that he is writing as an old man and may not remember everything perfectly, but if he has a question, he simply has to ask Polynesia, the parrot, to clarify.

So begins the fantastical story of Doctor Dolittle, which I really enjoyed reading.  Maybe it was the sharp contrast between it and The Story of Mankind that made it so fun.  Dr. Dolittle is patient, smart, responsible, persistent and lucky. He never lets his feathers get ruffled, even when the ship runs into the bank before they are out of the village; stowaways are discovered on board; or when he is made king against his will.  (If any of you are familiar with Bob the Builder, you might get an idea of his calm manner, but with more smarts and fewer annoying characteristics.) 

This book teaches kids that if they persevere in their dreams, they will succeed.  For example, the doctor was at long last able to crack the code to the shellfish language, and Tommy realized his dream of becoming a naturalist despite coming from a very humble background.

We also learn to treat others with kindness and to find the good and talents in others.  When Dr. Dolittle is invited to Tommy's home to ask his parents if Tommy can come be his apprentice, he gladly agrees and spends an evening with his family.  They later put up a plaque something to the effect "Dr. Dolittle once played the flute here in 1840," kind of like "George Washington slept here."

I would definitely recommend this book to the young and young at heart.

Lofting, Hugh.  The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle.  Grosset & Dunlap Publishers.  276.  Print.

(So how do you notate the year published when you can't find it in the book?  There was an illustrations copyright 1998 by Sonja Lamut, but I don't see book copyright date.  Well, I tried.)

The Story of Mankind

Yes.  The whole story of mankind!!  Author Hendrik Van Loon takes us from primordial soup to post World War II (with the help of his son, Willem).  Van Loon, born in the Netherlands in 1882,  moved to the United States in 1902 to attend Cornell University.  He became a citizen of the U.S. in 1919.  In the introduction to the book, Van Loon states, "History is the mighty Tower of Experience, which Time has built amidst the endless fields of bygone ages.  It is no easy task to reach the top of this ancient structure, and get the benefit of the full view.  There is no elevator, but young feet are strong and it can be done."  This gives the basic reason behind taking on the task of writing a history of mankind (definite focus on the Western world).  When we can get the big picture of the past, we will be able to better see the path to the future.

From my point of view, having earned a BA in history, it was difficult to really enjoy such a superficial study.  Van Loon dealt with such a vast subject matter that he could not put much detail into any one topic.  From the point of view of a child there are a couple of things to consider.  First, the sheer size of the book would be daunting.  Second, the very subject matter would be rather off-putting to most children.  Third, if a child did pick this up to read, they would probably get a bit confused.  It wasn't too bad for me since I have a background in history, but I think it would be hard for a child to read it without having to ask a lot of questions, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it would make reading it frustrating for them.

Newbery wanted to help children be "strong, hardy, healthy, virtuous, wise and happy." I definitely think a  knowledge of history is important, but I'm not sure if a crash course like this book is the best way.  There were several nuggets I pulled out of the book.  My favorites I will quote below:

• Why should we ever read fairy stories, when the truth of history is so much more interesting and entertaining? (p. 154)
• For tolerance, is of very recent origin and even the people of our own so-called "modern world" are apt to be tolerant only upon such matters as do not interest them very much. (p. 264)
• Try to discover the hidden motives behind every action and then you will understand the world around you much better and you will have a greater chance to help others, which (when all is said and done) is the only truly satisfactory way of living. (p. 370)
• But in practical politics, it does not matter what is true, but everything depends upon what the people believe to be true. (p. 382)
• Most likely we will follow a dozen wrong tracks before we find the right direction. And in the meantime we are fast learning one very important lesson--that the future belongs to the living and that the dead ought to mind their own business. (p. 482)

Quite entertaining at times, Van Loon seemed to feel no qualms about inserting his opinion about the subject.  And he seemed to have had a thing about personal grooming.  In writing of the fall of Rome, he states, "The rich people had been thrown out of their villas which were now inhabited by evil-smelling and hairy barbarians." (p. 129)  Referring to the Norsemen, "The Northmen were very intelligent.  They soon learned to speak the language of their subjects and gave up the uncivilised ways of the early Vikings who had been very picturesque but also very unwashed and terribly cruel." (p. 151)  One last example, about the Tartar control of Russia he says, "No Russian could hope to survive unless he was willing to creep before a dirty little yellow man who sat in a tent somewhere in the heart of the steppes of southern Russian and spat at him." (p. 305)

Quotes I laughed at.

• Thereafter the Romans enjoyed one great advantage over the Greeks.  They managed the affairs of their country without making too many speeches. (p. 94)
• But if they followed this advice of the distant Pope and were caught, they were hanged by their near-by Liege Lord and that too was very unpleasant. (p. 164)

Van Loon, Hendrik.  The Story of Mankind. New & Enlarged. Liveright Publishing Corp., 1951. 540. Print.