The December Rose [Hardcover]

Leon Garfield (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

A young sweep's fall down the wrong chimney in Victorian London lands him in the center of a terrifying chain of events that includes espionage, treachery, and murder.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The British author rivals Dickens at creating wonderful tales of villainy set in England during the late 19th century. Garfield's prose is rich and colorful in this story of sneaks posing as patriots who steal and murder for the good of their country. Absalom Brown, a tiny chimney sweep, overhears London police inspector Creaker planning a crime, and the boy is marked for death. Fleeing down the streets, Absalom escapes, clinging to proof of the plotters' treachery with the tenacity that earns him the name "Barnacle." Taken on by a good man, Tom Gosling, who operates a barge, Barnacle finds the only friends he has ever known, including Mrs. McDripper and her snappy daughter Miranda. They are all in danger from Creaker's band, skulking around the docks when a foreign ship, The December Rose, arrives. The feverish action rises to the highest pitch as the vessel's secret is revealed, and Barnacle, with his brave companions, triumphs over evil. Adults and children alike will revel in Garfield's merry, scary, swift story with endearing people to cheer for and wicked types to boo. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9 Mystery and adventure abound as Barnacle, a young chimney sweep in Victorian London, falls from a chimney and is swept up in a conspiracy that involves murder, espionage, and political intrigue. The story was first written as a screenplay for television, and the setting and characters come as vividly to life as though one were watching in living color. Characters are imbued with their own humaness and peculiarities: Inspector Creaker, ordered to ``put a stop to the boy's birthdays''; Mrs. McDipper, a barge owner who is thus a ``woman of property''; her daughter Miranda, Barnacle's thorn, and yet the one who saves his life; and Tom Gosling, a simple and honorable man who gives Barnacle a home on his barge and who, in the end, has the most wisdom of all. While Garfield's latest offering is a thrilling adventure seasoned with wonderful touches of humor, it also has something to say, as readers watch Barnacle, a survivor and an observer, change from a boy with no sense of self importance to a young man with honor and self esteem. This is the type of book that must be read twiceonce breathlessly to find out what happens and again, slowly, to savor its richness. Trev Jones, ``School Library Journal''
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (June 30, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670810541
• ISBN-13: 978-0670810543
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,443,353 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A spine-chilling tale of espionage, betrayal and murder...., November 28, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The December Rose (Puffin Story Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

"The December Rose" is a thrilling tale set in the streets of London in the past, comprising espionage, treachery and brutal murder. Barnacle(a master sweep's boy), is suddenly thrust into a terrifying mystery, with many after his life and a golden locket in his possession. Barnacle meets Mister Gosling and others who give him protection and and a sense of belonging and his life on the run is changed temporarily. Barnacle's life is threatened by the presence of Inspector Creaker and the men under his charge. There are many twists and turns in this tale and there is an unexpected twist in the story right at the end. I really found this book to be extremely interesting and it became increasingly hard to put down as the plot and the storyline developed. I especially enjoyed the ending which I thought made this book very complete. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants a great adventure...

4.0 out of 5 stars the december rose, October 16, 2001

By 

Janet (TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The December Rose (Puffin Story Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

A very good book to read. Not too much information on the author but the story itself is a very good science fiction story. I would recommend this story to people who like science fiction.

5.0 out of 5 stars A spine-chilling tale of espionage, betrayal and murder...., November 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The December Rose (Puffin Story Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

"The December Rose" is a thrilling tale set in the streets of London in the past, comprising espionage, treachery and brutal murder. Barnacle(a master sweep's boy), is suddenly thrust into a terrifying mystery, with many after his life and a golden locket in his possession. Barnacle meets Mister Gosling and others who give him protection and and a sense of belonging and his life on the run is changed temporarily. Barnacle's life is threatened by the presence of Inspector Creaker and the men under his charge. There are many twists and turns in this tale and there is an unexpected twist in the story right at the end. I really found this book to be extremely interesting and it became increasingly hard to put down as the plot and the storyline developed. I especially enjoyed the ending which I thought made this book very complete. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants a great adventure...