The House of Windjammer [Hardcover]

V. A. Richardson (Author), V.A. Richardson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 4, 2003

In the autumn of 1636, tulip fever is sweeping Amsterdam, and Europe's fortunes rise and fall with the promise of the New World. That year, the great Dutch family of Windjammer suffers the loss of their entire trading fleet and they face certain ruin. The only person who can save the family's home, fortune, and reputation is Adam, the family's young heir. But he faces many enemies encouraged by the despicable banker Hugo van Helsen, and stirred up by the wicked preacher Abner Heems. Only one hope remains:a dark secret, a rare treasure called the Black Pearl. It is not the precious jewel that Adam imagines, but a flower:a tulip:one of the rarest and most valuable. In fact, it is worth enough money at the height of tulip fever to save the House of Windjammer. Adam is determined to find this hidden treasure, but he is not the only one on a mission to find the Black Pearl.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 5-8. A shipwreck in the New World begins the story, but the action shifts quickly to Amsterdam, where the destruction begins a chain of events that threatens the venerable house of Windjammer. The story is seen through the eyes of Adam, the trading and shipping family's heir apparent. In a matter of days, the family has toppled from the pinnacle of Amsterdam society and is at the mercy of Hugo van Helson, a coldhearted banker, who uses his rebellious daughter and an evil preacher to bring about the Windjammers' ruin. Richardson's interesting stew of personalities and events rises above the stereotypical. As Adam tries to divine who and what conspire to change his life, readers will eagerly turn pages to find out right along with him. Amsterdam of the mid-seventeenth century makes an evocative background for the high-stakes happenings, and the introduction of the Tulip Wars well into the narrative adds an unexpected and absorbing element. The adventures of Adam Windjammer begin in this volume; the end portends action-filled adventures yet to come. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

V. A. Richardson had the idea for writing The House of Windjammer when he visited an exhibition of Dutch paintings. He lives in London.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books; First edition. edition (June 4, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582348111
• ISBN-13: 978-1582348117
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,349,426 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I read in a long time!, January 9, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The House of Windjammer (Hardcover)

This book is absolutely fantastic! Its the story of a young boy whose father dies and he then has the responsibiliy to run the family business. He then becomes involved in lots of adventures and meets many interesting characters. It takes place in Amsterdam in the 1600's, a place and time that I didn't know anything about, but the author makes you feel like you're right there. I am sure there will be a sequel to this book and I can't wait!

I recommend this book highly

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very surprising, November 22, 2003

By 

A. Tran (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The House of Windjammer (Hardcover)

full of twists, suspense, and quite some action, this book will keep you guessing til the end. though the ending was a bit of a dissapointment, i can smell a sequel that u'll most likely be eager to read. and even if u didnt like how it all turned out, u have to appreciate the hidden meaning that set it apart from most predictable books

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A young heir's determination to save his family fortune, September 15, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The House of Windjammer (Hardcover)

In 1636 Europe faces a world fascination with tulips while the Windhammer family faces ruin and the loss of its entire trading fleet. It's up to young Adam, heir to the house, to save his family's fortune from the evil banker Van Halsen and a corrupt uncle. Obsession and business challenges make a dangerous pair in this compelling story of a young heir's determination to save his family fortune.