Astonishing Stereoscope (Trophy Book) [Turtleback]

Jane Langton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2001 | ISBN-10: 0606253327 | ISBN-13: 978-0606253321

By discovering they can enter the three-dimensional world of the stereoscope, two children learn something about reality.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in Boston Massachusetts, Jane Langton studied astronomy at Wellesley College and the University of Michigan and did graduate work in art history at the University of Michigan and Radcliffe College. She is the author of several books for young people, including five other books in the Hall Family Chronicles: The Diamond in the Window, The Astonishing Stereoscope, the Newbery Honor Book The Fledgling, The Fragile Flag, and The Time Bike. Ms. Langton lives in Lincoln, Massachusetts.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Turtleback: 238 pages
• Publisher: Demco Media (December 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0606253327
• ISBN-13: 978-0606253321
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,586,529 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've written an awful lot of books. There are eleven for middle-aged children, mostly fantasies. The ones that have hung around the longest are "The Diamond in the Window" and "The Fledgling." The seventh in the series called "The Hall Family Chronicles" came out last spring, "The Mysterious Circus," and I've just finished writing an eighth, "The Dragon Tree."

All eighteen mysteries for adults have the same protagonists, Homer and Mary Kelly. Mary is the sensible one, but I confess I like Homer's rhapsodic flights of fancy. Most of their adventures happen in Massachusetts, but I've also sent them to farflung places I wanted to visit myself, like Florence, Oxford and Venice. Most of the novels are illustrated with my own drawings, but "The Escher Twist" has ten prints by the mysterious Dutch artist M. C. Escher, and the two historical mysteries are illustrated with nineteenth-century photographs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 3rd in the series, but can be read on its own., March 11, 2002

By 

Ann E. Nichols (Sierra Vista, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Astonishing Stereoscope (Hall Family Chronicles, Book 3) (Paperback)

I know that because I read it before I read THE DIAMOND IN THE WINDOW or THE SWING IN THE SUMMERHOUSE. I enjoyed reading my library's copy so much that I bought the book the first chance I got.

The stereoscope seems to have been an early version of the Viewmaster. This one is astonishing because it's another magical gift from Prince Krishna. Eddy and his older sister, Eleanor, don't just get to see 3-D views -- they can enter them to have adventures, such as meeting some of their ancestors from Puritan days. Herman the Crazy Cat shows the way.

Eddy and Eleanor need the distraction because they both feel very guilty about the accident to their Uncle Fred's student, John Green. John is in a coma and Uncle Fred has to take out a loan to pay the hospital bills. Mr. Preek the banker and his secretary, Miss Prawn, are so happy. They're sure that they will be able to foreclose on the loan. Then they can finally destroy the Halls' fancy old house that they hate so much. Besides, Miss Prawn wants some of the Halls' antiques to sell.

Will Eleanor and Eddy rescue their cat from being trapped in the stereoscope? Will they be able to prevent a human sacrifice in one of their adventures? Will Prince Krishna's potted palm wander the universe forever? Will John ever come out of his coma? Will the Hall family lose their home?

By the way, the hot air balloon on the cover really is in the book. It's part of a guided tour that's the most astonishing view the stereoscope has.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my most favorite books, October 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Astonishing Stereoscope (Hall Family Chronicles, Book 3) (Paperback)

Stereoscope was given to me as a gift when I was 10 years old (back in 1971). I thought "oh great, a book. :(" It sat unread for a few months, but one bored day I picked it up and couldn't put it down. Over the past 30 years I have read it again and again and come to realize how profoundly this book influenced my thinking about the natural world, religion, and our role as human beings. I kid you not.

This is a delightful book that you really should buy for your favorite 10 year old.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Seeking the Sources of Magic and Faith, May 19, 2010

By 

Gale Finlayson "PLUME45" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Astonishing Stereoscope (Hall Family Chronicles, Book 3) (Paperback)

Continuing the Hall family fantasies this book focuses on the surrealistic adventures of the red-headed siblings, Eleanor and Eddy--with a little help from younger cousin, Georgie, and their crazy cat, Herm. Readers return to the dilapidated house at #40 Walden Street in historical Concord, MA, where Uncle Freddy, the absent-minded professor, runs a School for Transcendental Studies.
This series of adventures is launched by the arrival of special gifts from an Indian magician-friend of the family, the ubiquitous Prince Krishna: a charming kaleidoscope for Georgie and an
astonishing stereoscope for the older kids. This old-fashioned stereopticon comes complete with five sepia-toned cards for amazing viewing, which whisk the surprised travelers through time and space.

Of course the deadly duo of Mr. Preek and Miss Prawn lurks around the corner, waiting to stalk and harass the family. When a college student-resident falls off the roof and lies unconscious for months in a hospital--with mounting bills--the entire family is plunged into despair and forced to seek desperate measures. Both Eleanor and Eddy privately blame themselves for John's accident and vow to change their lifestyle in order to manipulate Fate.

Despite the cute and enjoyable aspects of this story Langton
presents many serious themes: comparative religions, man's role on earth and in the universe, introducing questions of personal guilt and one's attitude toward God. Just who is the mysterious, unseen photographer who transports them back home in a Flash, after each adventure? Like the quaint stereopticon with its two sets of almost identical cards, are there two ways to view the world? Are you brave enough to pull the tantalzying rope which hangs from the balloon's basket? A cute tale for kids 10 -15.