Twelve-year-old Felicity longs for adventure and finds it when she rescues Mr. Ross from drowning. But there are many unanswered questions about Mr. Ross's past, and when he disappears as mysteriously as he appeared, Felicity knows her life will never be the same.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Felicity, 12, rescues a mysterious young man from drowning and brings him to her mother's boarding house. The young manwho calls himself Albert Rosscharms nearly everyone he meets. Soon local gossip has it that Mr. Ross is a famous explorer. Felicity, too, is enchanted by the stranger, but she can't help suspecting that he isn't quite what he appears to be. Felicity's best friend Bony is even more skeptical and sets out to prove that Ross is a fake. Bony's investigation gives rise to a new, mean-spirited set of rumors about Ross, and the townspeople turn against the young man they once welcomed. Literal truth is not entirely the point of this thoughtful, poetic depiction of small-town life, but it is frustrating that the linchpin of the storyRoss's identityis never revealed. Instead of giving him a spiritual or supernatural ambiguity that readers can live with, Alcock lets him remain a symbola mirror reflecting the desires of others. But through their encounter with him, Felicity, Bony and readers come to a greater understanding of themselves and a new awareness of the potentially destructive power of gossip. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8 Twelve-year-old Felicity, whose only talent seems to be for breaking things, becomes a hero in her small seaside town when she rescues a young man from the ocean. The glow of her brief fame soon fades. Who is Albert Ross? Could he be a criminal? Did he make up his name from the chart of seabirds on the spare bedroom wall? To Felicity, who has read ``The Ancient Mariner'' in school, he begins to seem like a real albatross around her neck. Her friend Bony, setting out doggedly to unravel the mystery, soon has the whole town wondering. When Mr. Ross disappears into the sea mist at last like his namesake, they are no closer to the truth, but have learned something about themselves in the process. Absorbing in its very simplicity and small compass, this quiet but suspenseful story moves at a natural pace. The world of the little English town is lovingly delineated with touches of humor. Even the most minor characters come to life on the page. As in The Sylvia Game (Delacorte, 1984) Alcock uses a mystery to bring into relief everyday problems and relationships. Ruth S. Vose, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Mysterious Mr. Ross,
By Meagan (Lenexa, Kansas) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Mysterious Mr. Ross (Hardcover)
After breaking something of her mother's with her butter fingers, Felicity ran outside to the gulf. While there she noticed a man trying to get across. Felicity shouted down to him saying, "You can't cross here, it's not safe." He heard her but said that he could not go back because it was worse behind him. Felicity got a stick and held it out to him. He jumped into the water and held onto the stick. The stick broke, leaving the man defenseless against the rushing water. Felicity's eyes grew large as she looked for the man in the water. She found him clinging on the side of the rock she was standing on, and quickly helped him up. They went through the flooded city until they reached Felicity's house. The stranger collapsed before reaching the door and so Felicity rushed inside to get help. Later going back to the gulf, Felicity found a skull, an albatross skull. At home, Felicity's mother approached the man asking him his name. The man looked around the room focusing on a picture with a big label saying, albatross. "Albert Ross," he says. This book, like all others, was interesting. I was expecting more excitement and adventure, but I also wanted more mystery. I wasn't really interested in this book as much as I would have been if it were more of a mystery. I could guess what was going to happen in the end of the story before it even told me. Vivien Alcock is a great writer and I think that she did well with this book. I would rate this book a four because although it wasn't very exciting, I did want to finish it.
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