Subject
Quests (Expeditions) -- Juvenile fiction Books
Best books
John Finnemore
Jack Haydon's Quest
"Jack Haydon's Quest" by John Finnemore is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows the young protagonist, Jack Haydon, a talented prefect and athlete at Rushmere School, whose life takes a startling turn when he is attacked on his way to visit a friend. This encounter leads Jack into a thrilling adventure filled with mystery and danger, as he seeks to uncover the fate of his father, who has mysteriously disappeared in Burmah after encountering treachery related to a precious ruby. The beginning of the book introduces Jack Haydon as he embarks on an errand, only to be confronted by a dark stranger who seems intent on obtaining a private letter from his father. After a struggle, Jack is rendered unconscious and later discovers that the attackers were likely part of a sinister plot linked to his father's work as a ruby expert. As Jack learns of his father's disappearance while on his journey home, he is determined to uncover the truth behind his father's fate. His quest quickly evolves into a gripping narrative of suspense as he teams up with his father's friend and fellow adventurers in a dangerous pursuit, promising readers a thrilling exploration of adventure and mystery in far-off lands.
Edward Abbott Parry
Don Quixote of the Mancha, Retold by Judge Parry
"Don Quixote of the Mancha," retold by Judge Parry and based on the work of Cervantes Saavedra, is a classic novel written in the early 17th century. The book captures the adventures of the delusional yet noble protagonist, Don Quixote, who is a man so consumed by tales of chivalry that he decides to embark on his own quest as a knight-errant, alongside his pragmatic squire, Sancho Panza. This retelling aims to present the story in a simpler narrative form for younger readers, preserving the humor and wisdom inherent in the original text. The beginning of the novel introduces us to Don Quixote, a gentleman from La Mancha who has become so obsessed with tales of knights that he sets out to become one himself, rechristening himself as Don Quixote. After acquiring some old armor and renaming his horse Rozinante, he prepares for his journey, filled with zeal and the desire to right wrongs. His first attempt at knighthood occurs when he tries to rescue an imagined damsel but instead finds himself in an inn, which he mistakes for a castle. As he interacts with the inn's occupants, his misinterpretations lead to comical and absurd scenarios, setting the stage for the rich adventures and misadventures that follow in his quest for glory.
Andrew Lang
The Princess Nobody: A Tale of Fairyland
"The Princess Nobody: A Tale of Fairyland" by Andrew Lang is a charming tale that falls under the genre of children's literature, likely written during the late 19th century. The story revolves around a royal family's longing for a child and the mystical events that follow when a dwarf offers the king a baby, leading to the birth of a beautiful princess, Niente. This whimsical narrative intersects with themes of fairy tale enchantments and moral lessons that are typical of Lang's style. The plot begins with the King and Queen's desperation for a child, resulting in the birth of the Princess Niente, also known as "Princess Nobody," due to her name's meaning in Italian. However, uncertainty looms when a dwarf claims her as part of a promise made by the king. To protect Niente, the Water Fairy sends her away, sparking a quest among princes to find and rescue her. Among them is Prince Comical, who ultimately discovers the princess in Mushroom Land. After overcoming various challenges, including a tragic moment of curiosity that causes them to be separated, the couple's love triumphs, leading to a joyous reunion. The story emphasizes themes of love, the perils of curiosity, and the eventual rewards of bravery and determination in the fantastical realm of fairies and enchantments.
Amy Le Feuvre
Legend-led
"Legend-led" by Amy Le Feuvre is a children's novel written in the late 19th century. It blends lively domestic adventure with Arthurian playacting and a gentle Christian allegory, following the Thurston siblings—Donald, Claud, and Gypsy—under the easy care of their poetry-loving governess, Miss Gubbins. Central to the tale is Gypsy’s sincere resolve to seek the “Holy Thing” after hearing Tennyson’s Holy Grail, even as the children contend with their awe of their step-brother Victor (“the Ogre”) and befriend a witty, crippled young artist they dub “Sir Perceval.” The setting shifts from a seaside resort to a rambling country house where games, pranks, and moral questions intertwine. The opening of Legend-led introduces the seaside life of the three high-spirited Thurstons, their territorial beach squabbles, and Miss Gubbins’ readings of the Arthurian legends that spark Gypsy’s private quest “to find” Jesus and the Grail. A Sunday beach talk about the “pearl of great price” and a bedroom text (“Those that seek Me early shall find Me”) deepen her resolve; after the family moves to an old Elizabethan house ruled by the formidable housekeeper Mrs. Peck, Gypsy slips out at dawn, kneels in a book-lined room with a stained-glass window, and mistakes its colored light for the Holy Grail. Meanwhile the boys roam, invent the dread “Agony” game, and Claud befriends a humorous, housebound illustrator at a nearby farm whom they nickname Sir Perceval. Victor’s return prompts a disastrous armor prank (Claud is captured and trussed), household changes begin, and Gypsy—allowed to use the library—brings her brothers at dawn only to be laughed at when they recognize the “Holy Thing” as sunlight through glass; soon after, a drive with Victor leads to a reunion with Irene from the beach and a visit to Sir Perceval, whom Victor is considering as a local tutor.
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