By the Great Horn Spoon!

by Sid Fleischman, Inc.

Overview

For fans of I Survived and Dear America, this rollicking adventure about the California Gold Rush is a classic tale from the award-winning author of The Whipping Boy, with illustrations from beloved children’s artist Brett Helquist (A Series of Unfortunate Events).
 
Jack’s aunt is in trouble. Even after she sells her beloved mansion, she still doesn’t have enough money to pay off all her debts or, more importantly, to take care of twelve-year-old Jack and his two sisters. Luckily Jack has a plan!
 
He’s going to strike gold. Setting out from Boston with his stuffy but trusty butler, Praiseworthy, the two of them stow away on a ship bound for California—and the Gold Rush. Along the way they’ll meet sailors, miners, outlaws, and wild animals. But will it all be worth it when they strike it rich?
 
Full of action, danger, and intrigue, this historic adventure paints a vivid picture of the old west, and continues to entertain children of each new generation.

Perfect for…
★ Adventurers!
★ Cowboy enthusiasts
★ Classroom reads
★ Budding history lovers
★ Californians

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316286121
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	04/30/1988
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	17,841
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.60(h) x 0.70(d)
Lexile:	730L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

About the Author

Sid Fleischman grew up in California during the Great Depression. Although he originally wanted to be a magician, he instead became a writer, and wrote over sixty titles for children, including the By the Great Horn Spoon!, Here Comes McBroom, and Newbery Award Winner The Whipping Boy,  as well as books for adults, screenplays, and a few books about magic. He passed away in 2010.
 
Brett Helquist is the artist behind the iconic covers and illustrations of the New York Times bestselling A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. He has also illustrated well-loved children’s books by Neil Gaiman, Alan Gratz, and Blue Balliett, among others. Brett majored in illustration at Brigham Young University and now lives with his family in Brooklyn, New York.

Editorial Reviews

This adventure tale, set in the Gold Rush days, is "another uncommonly original...delectable story, told, and illustrated with zest and gusto to the very last page."—The Horn Book

From the Publisher

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.

Publishers 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)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

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.

School Library Journal

First published in 1963, this old-fashioned yarn introduces Praiseworthy, the butler, and Jack, his charge. During the California Gold Rush, these two adventurers travel from Boston and encounter a wide variety of mishaps on their voyage. Finally arriving in California, Jack and Praiseworthy find the rough-and-ready world of the ’49ers quite different from Boston. They struggle to solve a host of troubles with humor, common sense, and good doses of luck. The full-cast recording is smooth, with narrator Willard Lape reading most of the story. His voice suggests a western tone, and the performances of Jack and Praiseworthy are appropriate. There are period music and songs at appropriate intervals. L.D.H. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

APR/MAY 05 - AudioFile