Customer Reviews

Escape into Daylight

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I discovered this book a few years ago. Since then I've read it aloud every year to my sixth graders. Few realistic fiction books have the power to keep them on the edges of their seats like 'Escape Into Daylight'. One of the best parts is the realism Mr. Household includes in this story of two kidnapped children. Most books never deal with how such characters deal with not bathing or having to use the bathroom. The tension builds from the first chapter and doesn't let up until the end, with the country lad using his knowledge of nature to help them escape. Unfortunately there are two confusing sections to the book: 1) the description of the landscape over which the children attempt to escape is difficult to understand, with the geographical relationships unclear and 2) the description of the underground river, which is relevant to the climax. Even after reading the book several times, I'm still not clear on those parts, but it doesn't seem to bother the kids.

When Mike woke from his drugged sleep, it was so dark that he thought he'd been buried alive or become blind. After a little exploring, he found he was in an underground cavern of some sort. It was dark and dank like a dungeon.
Then he discovered that he wasn't alone, that a girl was trapped there also. Her name was Carrie and she had been kidnapped and the two of them were prisoners.
When they realized that the kidnappers' plans had gone wrong, things became even more desperate. Now they were going to be left shut up in the dark where no one would ever find them or rescue them. It was up to them to find a way out.
I used this book many times in booktalks to schools. It really intrigued even the non-readers.

Publisher! Please get it back into print! Please get ALL Geoffrey Household back into print! A wonderful writer, a celebrant of stoic courage, the poet of the underground adventure!

I think that Mike is a strong individual who is not quiet detailed