Escape to Witch Mountain [Paperback]

Alexander Key (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2009 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

A sci-fi classic returns to print in its true, best, and original form!

With renewed interest in Alexander Key's extraordinary 1968 novel, fans can dive into Escape to Witch Mountain as it was meant to be read. The powerful, thrilling story of Tony and Tia—twins joined by their paranormal gifts, on the run from evil forces that seek to suppress their forgotten pasts—is more gripping and relevant than ever.

Praise for Escape to Witch Mountain:

"Action, mood, and characterization never falter in this superior science fiction novel…"
Library Journal

"Fantasy, science fiction, mystery, adventure—the story is all of these, with enough suspense and thrills to keep young readers glued to its pages from first to last."
Book World

"Fascinating science fiction."
Elementary School Library Collection, Bro-Dart Foundation

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alexander Key started his career as an artist, studying at the Chicago Art Institute. He then pursued a successful career as an illustrator of children's books, which soon led him to write his own. Key is the author of many popular science fiction stories for children, including The Forgotten Door, The Golden Enemy, and The Incredible Tide.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (August 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402237812
• ISBN-13: 978-1402237812
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #454,759 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Underrated Sci-Fi Novel Aimed At Preteens, April 23, 2006

By 

Noirdame (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Escape to Witch Mountain (Walt Disney Studios New Movie: Escape to Witch Mountain) (Paperback)

As a kid, I disliked this book because it bore little resemblance to the Disney movie that was inspired by it. Now, however, I have much deeper appreciation of the story.

In the novel, Tony and Tia Malone are two teenagers, adopted by an elderly woman, and they live in a rough neighborhood. Because of their psychic abilities, they are targets of bullies and gangs. When their adoptive grandmother dies, they are placed in a detention home, Hackett House, run by a cold, granite-like matron, Mrs. Grindley, a former policewoman. They do not fare well at the home because of their 'strangeness' (Tia is unable to speak normally, although she can speak telepathically with Tony), and as this is the time of youth rebellion and the Vietnam war, suspicious behavior. When a mysterious, well-dressed stranger, Lucas Deranian, shows up claiming to be their uncle, the siblings realize that he is after something else. They succeed in escaping from Hackett House and enlist the help of a priest, Father O'Day, to discover their true origins.

Very different from the film, it is nonetheless a darn good read.

It also speaks volumes of what many adolescents face during these crucial years of developement - finding your identity and being accepted for it.

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a review by a 14-year-old, August 12, 2004

By 

sarah voss (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Escape to Witch Mountain (Paperback)

Since most of the reviewers of this book are adults now who read this book as children and are remembering it as a childhood favorite, I would like to say that as a modern 14-year-old, I liked this book too. I agree with the reviewer who gave this book 4 stars because it was "dated" - the remark about communists ("human rights and human suffering mean nothing to a communist") - did make it quite clear what time period the book was written in, and the Christianity parts - Father O'Day "ranting" about his "sworn enemy", the devil - were kind of annoying, but that didn't spoil the book for me - i still loved it.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent SF book for young teens, May 29, 2002

By 

michael j devereaux (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Escape to Witch Mountain (Hardcover)

I hadn't thought of this book for many years. This book (along with another by the same author "The Forgotten Door") set me on a lifetime of reading science fiction and fantasy. I have rarely rediscovered the sheer unadulterated *magic* that I felt while reading this book. Tony and Tia are teens and most teens will relate to them and will get caught up in the mystery and the adventure. I haven't reread it in years and years but I remain certain that for young readers this would be a book they would treasure. Forget about the Disney movie: It was silly popcorn fluff that I am sure crushingly disappointed every fan of the book. This book is about as serious as young adult science fiction gets. (And for those adults who enjoy Harry Potter: take a look at this book too! You won't be disappointed!)