Customer Reviews

Far-Flung Adventures: Fergus Crane

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I read this book first, to see if my children would like it. I am CERTAIN they will, but I had to write this review first because I loved it! It is just pure whimsy and delight! There are fanciful gadgets, wonderfully descriptive passages, adventure, mayhem, funny happenings, etc. Awesome pictures too! Which, even though I plan to read it aloud, it may be better for a 8-10 independent reader who wants to spend time pouring over the illustrations. I can't wait to read the next one myself!

If you're thinking about buying a gift for a young reader in the seven to nine age group, you may want to consider this new series. Brought to you by the same people who did "The Edge Chronicles" (another excellent series, but for slightly older kids), this one has large, easy to read print, simple language and wonderful illustrations to help keep the story bubbling along. To add to the fun, the dust jacket opens up into a fold-out map based on the geographical setting of the story.

Fergus Crane is the first book in the "Far-Flung Adventures" series, the second being Corby Flood, also available from Amazon. The third one "Hugo Pepper" will be available in February 2007.

Fergus Crane is a nine year old boy who lives with his mother beside the sea. His father had left on an ocean voyage many years ago, and had never returned. They get by on his mother's wages from the local bakery, and the income from extra work she does for a company named "The Fateful Voyage Trading Co." He attends school aboard a ship, with an unconventional crew and an even more unconventional syllabus.

His life changes one night when a mysterious flying box appears at his bedroom window, and he learns that he has a long-lost uncle, who thinks that Fergus is in danger. The plot thickens when the school ship suddenly sets sail with all the students except Fergus aboard.

Imaginative and creative, the story includes mechanical flying horses and other extra-ordinary gadgets, adventure and discovery, and hopefully, a happy ending.

Highly recommended.


Amanda Richards, September 23, 2006

I have have just read my sons (9 and 6) this book. They were completely enraptured. It is the best, new childrens book I have read in years. Destined to become a classic!

Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell have a fantastic partnership. If you love the Edge Chronicles, you'll be pleased by this fairy tale. It is intended for a bit younger reader/has a gentler tone than the somewhat dark Edge Chronicles. The story is engaging and funny, though, so older kids and adults will enjoy it, too.

Thanks, Stewart and Riddell, for helping thousands of children learn to love books.

I am a 9 year old writing a book report for this book. Here is my story:

"I am a librarian at the local Children's Library. As it is my job to read every kid's book in the library, I found this book very interesting. Fergus Crane, the hero, begins his adventure after receiving a mysterious letter from his uncle, saying Fergus' life is in danger. After many adventures including a giant mechanical flying horse that is actually a lunch box and a lesson from his gym class teaching him to do something that adds to the evil plot, Fergus Crane ends with a surprise happy ending.

Do you like adventure-packed fantasies? If so, I highly recommend this outstanding, stupendous, well-illustrated, fun-filled book. The children like it so much that we cannot keep the books on the library shelves. But don't lose hope, we have thirteen Fergus Crane books in stock.

Ian Woodfill\acting city librarian"

I really enjoyed the book. I think your kids will too.

I picked up Fegus Crane for my 8 year old boy. At first he did not think he would enjoy it but once he started reading it, he was so absorbed in it that he could not put the book down. I will definitely get the other books in the series so he can continue the adventure.

My eleven year old daughter really enjoys reading this book series. Even my four year old little girl enjoys listening to the adventure and viewing all of the artwork throughout the stories pages.

My 10 yr old daughter read this book and could not put it down. As soon as she finished this one, she was looking for Corby. She is looking forward to the Hugo book.

I think the far fetched imagination in this book is funny but also brings in a few issues that are real but dealt with in a funny way. It gives kids a fun and challenging book to read.

Perfect read aloud, short and very sweet and illustrated brilliantly through out the book. My son age 7 LOVED it!! Small chubby little book, more adventures are coming but this adventure of Fergus Crane's is complete on it's own. The next ones listed presently are "Corby Flood" due Aug 2006, and "Hugo Pepper" follows in Feb 2007. We cannot wait!!!

This is an excellent, though short, book for children. Paul Stewart's genius at economy of words and Chris Riddell's unusual illustrative style combine again to create a fanciful adventure story. This is the first in a new line of them and they are called Far-Flung Adventures in the US. In this first one, Fergus Crane goes on a life changing journey he did not expect.
I highly recommend any of the books in the Edge Chronicles series, also by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell.