REWARD BOOKS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20906, 21 December 1929, Page 4

REWARD BOOKS.

FOR BOYS AND GIRLS

~“A Y'oung A’lrginlan.” by Escolt Lynn (5» net) ; "Tb e Third Robin Feathorstone.” by L. C. Douthwalte; “Desmond Plays the Game,” by D. Stapleton; “Up the Rock," by David Her; “The Rivals of the Chalet School," by Elinor JI. Brent-Dyer; "High Jinks at Priory School,” by May Baldwin. (Each 3s 6d net.) EdinburghW., and R. Chambers, Ltd. “Bib and Bub in Gumnut Town.” By May Gibbs. Sydney: Angus and Robertson. (3s 6d:net.)

The reward boohs published by Messrs W,, and R., Chambers have arrived late this year, but they will be none the less sure ■of a welcome from the boys and girls on that score. Chambers’s have always made it their'business to publish a-’selection-of good, exciting books for the youngsters who hare.grown past the stage where picture hooka appeal, and, want to read, something longer, that gives* them more chance of exercising their imaginations in- living with legendary heroes and heroines' for. a'spell., Among the four books for boys and two for girls now under notice there is sure to be more that one novel that will appeal to any juvenile aged from 10. to 17. All the books contain illustrations which add to their interest.

Many stories, have been written round the war of-American Independence, but little is ever heard of those years immediately preceding., when the Americans and Britons fought side by side agaimst the, French, determined that the colonies should be dominated by English-speaking people. Mr Lynn's • story concerns this somewhat neglected page of history, making his young hero. Ronald Ogiivie, a companion of Major George Washington during the-years-when the-latter was a loyal subject of the King of England. Ronald s adventures commence when he is wounded by a band of redskins and saved by the famous Nat Drury, and throughout a young Virginian ” he takes part in events equally thrilling and wojrth'reading. While Mr Lynn’s book does not pretend to be other than a romance, he has paid attention to historical detail, and this makes the work informative as well as interesting. When, the third Robin Featherstone wem; to St. Cedrics School in England he,firmly believed what he had been told by an American: that the Old Country finished— stone dead from the middle both ways.” Robin, who had Spent his life in Canada, therefore round no pleasure in the confining regular tions he encountered, and made one or „ 9 bad enemiea. of whom the:worst was Coatello.Hia fight with Costello was +kJ er fi^^bed- owing to an untimely inKflS, ptl *i n ’ f n ?, hls eve /- v , other effort to tle ' bu ly foiled! Eventually St tw r - rp T ly * e iS !aped expulsion from flip the-mystery concerning the efforts of , two boys to discredit -him wa ß cleared up as a result. Incidentally, +ll to reconcile his father and owh l t fatbGr ’ wbo - had , been separated a _ misunderstanding. Jlr Douthwaites is an interesting sbhool Story With an unusual plot.

Game” is another knghtly written and enterfr^lo^n COncerl ? lnc , the ’ task that conDesmond when he is appointed captam of Leigh’s , House. The houses or Martina are divided by uettv tt 188 ’ au . fi Desmond sets himself out to put an end to the bickering. He has al^ e mnt-1 fnentJs tc * i'im, but he . Eolne ,9D. enl ,’«s who do their utmost raieo difficulties, and he unwillingly becomes involved in the distance of a valuable medallion which ! t S r T^ has br s u ßht to tho school. In the end Desmond wins through, and the old ' rivalry between Leigh’s aud iVripjlitfi is replaced by a friendly r F,fc ; a Mr Stanleton bos an intimale Knowledge of schoolboy psychology, and his deecnptiohs of boxing matches, swimming. and. an amateur play are all skilfully done. '

c P? the Rock is a very different type oratory lor boys. Mr Ker having written against the background Pt the Spanish War of Succession. Percy Asho, an English boy. plays no insignificant part m the ' battles which‘.occurred during this period, ■ ‘ his courage and bravery - standing ‘ him in good stedd throughout the trying times when he was face to face with death and dishonour, Percy had to play a lone baud S •/? . became separated from the ■British forces, but. he was able to take a conspicuous part in helping to overthrow the Moorish power in Spain. Sir Ker writes vividly of the stormy period, and keeps the reader alert and excited the pages-of this capital book. ‘The.,Rivals of the Chalet School” is an excellent story, for girls, in which are encountered ; some, very. likeable English youngsters and a little princess who is heir-presumptive to the throne of Belsornia, doey, Bettany, and her companions are for ;ever in', mischief of one kind or another, blit- they enter into every scheme so joyously and wholeheartedly. without any malicious intent, that all their pranks can be forgiven them. The feud which is the cause of so much concern to the girls, aud is the despair of the mistresses, eventually ends in a surprising manner. “The Rivals ot the Chalet School” is a book that will be enjoyed by all girls who like a wholesome, amusing story of school life. The trials of Basheen, Hilda, Gretta, and the other girls at the Priory School commence, or at any rate the youngsters think they do. when a long-haired mistress. Miss Trcgathwick, is appointed mistress and matron of Middle House, where all the Priory minxes seem to have been assembled. The Middlcrs, as they were called, were always in trouble, and it must be admitted that they were too wild altogether for the good name of a school—too wild, also, for the principal. Mi's Wclbeck, to cope with. Miss Trcgathwick. who wont to the school to meet an unruly lot of girls, stayed on to win the affection and respect of them all.. “High Jinks at Priory School'’ tells, in an amusing narrative, how she brought about the change. May Gibbs,- in her latest little story book- for the very young, tells of the adventures of two small guni-uut babies in Gumnut Town, where" they meet with a!i sorts of excitement and encounter strange people, including Mr and Mrs Bear. Uncle' Lizzy, and the Cheeses.* The quaint illustrations, which accompauv every couplet (many of which do not scant will make this book a most acceptable present for any child.