The Blood-And-Thunder Adventure on Hurricane Peak [Library Binding]

Margaret Mahy (Author), Wendy Smith (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up

Relates the tangled events that lead the students of the Unexpected School on Hurricane Peak to foil the wicked Sir Quincey and his accomplices and to solve several mysteries.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This marvelously funny novel brings together as zany a collection of characters as one could hope for: Heathcliff Warlock, a most unconventional deputy headmaster; Sir Quincey Judd-Sprockett, a nefarious and inept inventor; Belladonna Doppler, whom Sir Quincey has firmly in his sights; and assorted villains, cats and children. The setting is the Unexpected School, where anything might happen--and does. Mahy begins by placing in motion a number of seemingly unrelated subplots. By the end, they have been imaginatively and hilariously intertwined through the meeting, scheming and comic misunderstandings of all concerned. Smith's jaunty pen-and-ink spot drawings add visual verve to this manic mix. Ages 9-12.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-- No one writes about magic better than New Zealand's inimitable Margaret Mahy. However, it is not magic alone which is needed to foil wicked industrialist Sir Quincey Judd-Sprockett and his evil designs on the Unexpected School high atop Hurricane Peak. Science, too, must be employed. How these two disparate disciplines are wedded in the service of saving this unusual school is the lighthearted theme of Mahy's latest antic adventure. More in the spirit of Nonstop Nonsense (1989) than The Changeover (1984, both McElderry) , The Blood-and-Thunder Adventure. . . may be too relentlessly whimsical in its early chapters for some readers (talking, moonstruck cats? villains of too-predictable helplessness? characters with names like Belladonna Doppler and Mrs. Thoroughgood?). But the timely introduction of magic midway through adds the necessary numen to both text and tone and transforms what had been mere frivolousness into satisfying farce. Mahy scores again! --Michael Cart, Beverly Hills Public Library
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Library Binding: 132 pages
• Publisher: Margaret Mcelderry (September 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689504888
• ISBN-13: 978-0689504884
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,327,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Margaret Mahy lives in New Zealand and is internationally acknowledged as one of the most outstanding children's writers today. She is the author of more than two hundred books for children of all ages, two of which have received England's Carnegie Medal and others of which have garnered numerous citations from the American Library Association. She is also the recipient of An Order of New Zealand, the highest honor a citizen can receive. In 2006 she received the Hans Christian Andersen award for her contributions to international children's literature.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Blood and Thunder Adventure on Hurricane Peak, October 19, 2001

By 

"sham_bel" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Blood and Thunder Adventure on Hurricane Peak (Lythway Large Print Children's Series) (Hardcover)

When I was a little kid, this was my very favourite book!! Margaret Mahy is a very talented writer, and this book was great for me to read over and over again. I also liked the pirates mixed up voyage, it was another of the books written in Margaret Mahy's collection - with a very unique writing style. I was about 8 when I actually sent Margaret Mahy a fan letter!! I got a long (two pages on a typewriter!) letter back from her, with hand drawn (and coloured in) cats all over the border of the letter! This book is adventurous, fun and has a very twisted plot with talking cats and distant cousins, and a school of Magic!!! I suggest it for any one looking for a good read - so long as they haven't let go of their "INNER CHILD"!!!