The Amazing Flight of Darius Frobisher (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6–Eleven-year-old Darius Frobisher's life is about to change. His father, a seasoned world traveler and adventurer, recently took off in a hot-air balloon for a weekend trip and never returned. Because Darius's mother died when he was young, Miss Hastings, their elderly housekeeper, has always cared for him during his father's absences. Now, three attorneys tell them that Rudy Frobisher is presumed dead, send Miss Hastings away, and take the boy to live with his grouchy Aunt Inga, who makes it clear she doesn't want him around. He is miserable until he encounters Daedalus, a neighborhood eccentric who rebuilds old bicycles, and who, Darius is certain, has constructed one that can fly. Harley often addresses readers directly, working hard to enchant them, offering them villains they can hiss at and teasing them with magic that lies just around the corner. But he tries, not subtly enough, to force his audience to understand his characters–telling them that Aunt Inga is mean, for example, because she's unhappy–making the bad guys lose a lot of their bite, along with the story. Still, this pleasant blend of melodrama and fantasy will make youngsters frown over Darius's misery and then smile in anticipation of the predictably happy ending.–Walter Minkel, New York Public Library
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Product Description

LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE for ten-year-old Darius Frobisher. His eccentric father Rudy sells insurance four days a week. The other three days he goes on exotic journeys. Then there is Darius's scatterbrained, much-loved babysitter Miss Hastings, who throws water balloons with him and makes delicious burned toast.

But when his father flies off in a hot air balloon and doesn't come back, Darius's happy, carefree life suddenly comes to an end. He is torn away from Miss Hastings and sent to live with his notoriously nasty Aunt Ida., where he has to sleep alone in a cold, damp basement. Most of his waking time is spent trying to dodge the teenage boy next door, who is home from military school and hungry to do horrible things to someone younger than himself.

Darius sees a ray of hope when he finds a rusty old bicycle in the basement and begins to repair it in secret. Could this be the first step toward a reunion with Miss Hasting? Then one day he is startled to see an old man with long flowing hair riding a bicycle across the sky! That gives Darius a strange and wonderful idea. Now he knows what he has to do to get away from his miserable life.

Bill Harley's offbeat, broadly drawn story features a cast of curious and unconventional characters that will easily capture the attention--and imagination--of young readers. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Peachtree Publishers (September 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561453811
• ISBN-13: 978-1561453818
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #966,221 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, June 3, 2007

By	TeensReadToo.com "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

If you are looking for a book with non-stop action, then THE AMAZING FLIGHT OF DARIUS FROBISHER is a very good choice.

This book is about a boy named, appropriately enough, Darius Frobisher. Darius's father is a man that travels the world to very amazing places. A sad fact is that Darius's mother died when he was younger. While Darius's father is out, you may be wondering "who Darius is with, and what is he doing?" Well, most of the time Darius is making up trouble for Miss Hastings.

Miss Hastings is Darius's nanny, in a way, except they get into trouble together -- and Miss Hastings burns toast.

Anyway, when Darius's father goes on a hot air balloon ride and never comes back, Darius has to go live with his Aunt Inga (who is evil!). When Darius get there he finds something special that he just might be able to use to make a run for home -- and Miss Hastings -- where he can be happy again.

I give this book 4 stars for the really creative things the author does with this story!

Reviewed by: Liz

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story, April 21, 2007

By	Katherine S. Randall "Harry Randall" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There is wonderful friendship that develops between the author and the reader in this book. The author at times talks directly to the reader while telling the story. The characters are both lovable and hateful, and there are plenty of twists and turns to hold the readers attention. Snuggle down and read this to a favorite child or just enjoy it all by yourself.