FOR YOUNG READERS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27860, 7 January 1956, Page 5

FOR YOUNG READERS

Nine Bright Shiners. By Lois Lamplugh. Jonathan Cape. 207 pp.

Intelligent youngsters of imagination will enjoy this well-illustrated tale. In places the vocabulary is difficult, but the context makes clear the meaning of unfamiliar words, and the interest of the tale is unlikely to allow children to be baulked. The story is of nine children and a sand yacht, of a secret enterprise to find the almost legendary St. Anne’s chapel swallowed up by the sands of the neighbouring “desert" 'a great stretch of sand dunes near the childrens home), and of their discovery of treasure trove. Operation Wild Goose. By Roland Pertwee. Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard. Oxford University Press. 203 pp. This tale is topical, for though the setting is in Iceland, the theme is of an exciting hunt by three boys for uranium. Geiger-counter sabotaging, telephone wrecking, cross-country sleuthing and a desperate fight on a perilous bridge all form part of a vigorous plot; yet the excitement is mingled with laughter and the story is full of good humour. Shepard’s line drawings and his map are excellent. Girls as well as boys will find this story compelling. Gilbert Hackforth-Jones tells in GREEN SAILORS AND BLUE WATERS (Hodder and Stoughton) another good story about the Green family and their yachting adventures. Mark, Mary, Binnie and Ben set out on their Uncle George’s yacht "Rag Doll.” this time without the benefit of Uncle George’s presence and advice. They make it, but only just, Mark nearly being drowned in the process. And then away from Cowes, this time with Uncle George aboard, on a cross Channel expedition and a lot more fun. This is a book that will appeal to all adventurous boys and girls, especially those who love the sea.