Otto of the Silver Hand (Dover Children's Classics) [Paperback]

Howard Pyle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1967 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Dover Children's Classics

Born into a robber baron's household in medieval Germany, young Otto is caught in the middle of a violent blood feud. Captured in battle and severely tortured, the brave lad nevertheless grows up to be a gentle and loving person, standing above other men and looked up to by all. 55 dynamic illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9-Although Howard Pyle's 1888 tale about medieval Germany may seem an unlikely choice for 21st century children, Otto of the Silver Hand has audience appeal for fans of the Arthurian legends. Born into a baronial family that is already engaged in a blood feud with another noble house, motherless Otto is sent to live with monks while still an infant. Reclaimed at age 12 by his militant, but loving father, the gentle-natured boy is kidnapped and mutilated by the rival family. Fortunately, Otto finds comfort with his captor's daughter, Pauline, who helps him escape. His father's courage and cunning allow the lad's safe return to the monks who place him under the emperor's protection. His silver hand is a replacement for the one Otto lost while in captivity, but his injury does not prevent him from maturing wisely and marrying Pauline. Geoffrey Howard's crisp diction and nuanced characterizations enhance this classic story which is more likely to be listened to than read. The recording opens with a brief, informative biography of Pyle, and uses his original artwork on the cover. The case is a durable plastic with useful information, and the cassettes are well-marked. While this is not a necessary purchase, it is a worthy addition to any audiobook collection seeking lesser-known classics in children's literature.
Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Howard Pyle (18531911) was an American illustrator and writer, primarily of books for young audiences. A native of Wilmington, Delaware, he spent the last year of his life in Florence, Italy. In 1894 he began teaching illustration at the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry (now Drexel University), and after 1900 he founded his own school of art and illustration called the Howard Pyle School of Illustration Art. The term the Brandywine School was later applied to the illustration artists and Wyeth family artists of the Brandywine region by Pitz (later called the Brandywine School). Some of his more famous students were Olive Rush, N. C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, Elenore Abbott, Ellen Bernard Thompson Pyle, Allen Tupper True, Anna Whelan Betts, Ethel Franklin Betts, Harvey Dunn, Philip R. Goodwin, and Jessie Willcox Smith. His 1883 classic The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood remains in print to this day, and his other books, frequently with medieval European settings, include a four-volume set on King Arthur that cemented his reputation. He wrote an original novel, Otto of the Silver Hand, in 1888. He also illustrated historical and adventure stories for periodicals such as Harper's Weekly and St. Nicholas Magazine. His novel Men of Iron was made into a movie in 1954, The Black Shield of Falworth. Pyle travelled to Florence, Italy to study mural painting in 1910, and died there in 1911 of sudden kidney infection (Bright's Disease). --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 173 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (June 1, 1967)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486217841
• ISBN-13: 978-0486217840
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92,760 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Character matters!, April 10, 1999

By 

Steven Keller (Fairview Heights, Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Otto of the Silver Hand (Dover Children's Classics) (Paperback)

Children and adults will love this wonderful book about honor and virtue in the Middle Ages. Otto, the young protagonist of the novel, proves that evil begets evil and good begets honor -- and above all that CHARACTER DOES MATTER. The novel, first published in 1888 by one of America's finest authors/illustrators is inspiring and exciting. A great book to read aloud to children.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No greater love has man than he who gives his li, January 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Otto of the Silver Hand (Dover Children's Classics) (Paperback)

I have read - Otto of the Silver Hand - two times. Once to myself and then to my three oldest children ages 9,8,6. This book is as captivating and beautiful as a knight in shining armor tale can be. It's a tale of love, courage, good and evil. The love begins between husband and wife with as much fervor and honesty as is felt in the movie "Braveheart" (Mel Gibson). Conrad, the baron of the Castle Drakenhausen whose love is so great for the Baroness Matilda, takes their son Otto to the "White Cross on the Hill" soon after his birth. There his good, holy and wise Uncle Otto (Abbot Otto) resides. You see, Baroness Matilda has died at Otto's birth and Baron Conrad knows his cold castle and his bitter feudal world are not suited for the raising of his child. Young Otto developes a pure, simple and docile attitude in the 12 years he lives at the monastery. His father comes to reclaim him at this point and here the story begins to unfold.

This is so beautifully written! It's wonderfully suspenceful (how Otto escapes from his cold, dark dungeon when he is near death; how his father gives his life in the end for that of his son and the "faithful few" who remained with him till the bitter end. I am reminded of a thought which often passes through my mind - No greater love has man than he who lays down his life for another-

We do have one compliant about the telling of this tale...we wish there would have been more to the ending. It ended too abruptly in our opinion. We wanted more. However, we were left for many days reliving the book over and over in our thoughts and conversations. The spirit of great love from a man to his wife, a father to his son was refreshing. The story was indeed uplifting to the mind, heart and soul of myself and my children. What better tale to tell...to teach love in its sometimes harsh reality!! Death because of love!!

This book is too beautiful to miss!! (if you are interested in knights, etc.) Any critique to the contrary shows a lack of depth of the critic. Perhaps only those with the greatest potential to love can see the beauty of this tale.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a perfect book, March 15, 2005

By 

James Sommerville (Cedar Rapids, IA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Otto of the Silver Hand: Library Edition (Audio Cassette)

As an elementary and junior high school teacher, I have read and re-read hundreds of the best children's books, scores of them aloud to my classes. In my opinion "Otto of the Silver Hand" is the most perfect book ever written for children. The story is engaging and inspiring, the flavor of the middle ages comes through in the language, and the illustrations are classic. This is a book no 9 to 14-year-old child should miss, and it is a rewarding read also for any thoughtful adult who has an interest in history or literature.