The Philadelphia Adventure [Hardcover]

Lloyd Alexander (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 19, 1990 | Age Level: 10 and up

In 1876, on the eve of the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, twenty-year-old Vesper Holly and her friends clash yet again with the archfiend Dr. Helvitius, whose evil schemes plunge them into danger in the wild Pennsylvania countryside.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

It is 1876, and in Philadelphia the opening of the Centennial Exposition, already delayed several times, is threatened by the fiendish Doctor Helvitius. This megalomaniac has kidnapped two children in the care of the emperor of Brazil and vows to destroy the Exposition and all the world leaders present if the emperor does not accede to his demands. Desperate, President Grant lays this problem at the feet of 20-year-old Vesper Holly and her eminent guardian, Professor Brinton Garrett, who have already achieved renown for resolving knotty problems in countries far and fantastic in such titles as The Illyrian Adventure and The El Dorado Adventure . Brinny (as the professor is known to his intimates) exhibits admirable patriotism as he describes the hair-raising events that lead to the apparent downfall of Helvitius. Vesper and a faithful band of friends foil the dastardly plot of a Professor Moriarty-like villain in Alexander's thoroughly enjoyable romp. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-- This fifth Vesper Holly adventure is set during the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. Once again Alexander successfully combines ingredients familiar to the series' readers--eccentrically entertaining characterizations, seamless plotting, and breakneck pace. Narrated as usual by Brinnie, Vesper's guardian and friend, the events are set in motion by an appeal from President Grant when the emperor of Brazil's grandchildren are kidnapped by none other than Vesper's nemesis, Dr. Helvitius. Vesper, who must deliver a ransom at Helvitius' demand, suspects her old enemy has a larger scheme in mind, as indeed he does. As usual, events pile on top of events and each chapter ends with a cliff-hanger, speeding readers to the exciting conclusion. Fans will welcome back friends from previous adventures, especially Tobias Wistar Passavant, "The Weed," who is coming into his own here as hero and as budding love interest for Vesper. Brinnie's narration is the accustomed diverting counterpoint to the action, enriched with amusing asides. In sum, this is a treat for followers of this series; indeed for anyone who enjoys a well-told adventure story. --Christine Behrmann, New York Public Library
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 150 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (April 19, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525445641
• ISBN-13: 978-0525445647
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,293,467 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Few writers have inspired as much affection and interest among readers young and old as Lloyd Alexander. At one point, however, it seemed unlikely that he would ever be a writer at all. His parents could not afford to send him to college. And so when a Philadelphia bank had an opening for a messenger boy, he went to work there. Finally, having saved some money, he quit and went to a local college. Dissatisfied with not having learned enough to be a writer he left at the end of one term. Adventure, he decided was the best way. The United States had already entered World War II. Convinced that here was a chance for real deeds of derring-do, he joined the army -- and was promptly shipped to Texas where he became, in disheartening succession an artilleryman, a cymbal player in the band, an organist in the post chapel, and a first-aid man. At last, he was assigned to a military intelligence center in Maryland. There he trained as a member of a combat team to be parachuted into France to work with the Resistance. "This, to my intense relief, did not happen," says Alexander. Instead, Alexander and his group sailed to Wales to finish their training. This ancient, rough-hewn country, with its castles, mountains, and its own beautiful language made a tremendous impression on him. But not until years later did he realize he had been given a glimpse of another enchanted kingdom. Alexander was sent to Alsace-Lorraine, the Rhineland, and southern Germany. When the war ended, he was assigned to a counterintelligence unit in Paris. Later he was discharged to attend the University of Paris. While a student he met a beautiful Parisian girl, Janine, and they soon married. Life abroad was fascinating, but eventually Alexander longed for home. The young couple went back to Drexel Hill, near Philadelphia, where Alexander wrote novel after novel which publishers unhesitatingly turned down. To earn his living, he worked as a cartoonist, advertising writer, layout artist, and associate editor for a small magazine. It took seven years of constant rejection before his first novel was at last published. During the next ten years, he wrote for adults. And then he began writing for young people.Doing historical research for Time Cat he discovered material on Welsh mythology. The result was The Book of Three and the other chronicles of Prydain, the imaginary kingdom being something like the enchanted land of Wales. In The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen Alexander explored yet another fantastic world. Evoking an atmosphere of ancient China, this unique multi-layered novel was critically acclaimed as one of his finest works. Trina Schart Hyman illustrated The Fortune-tellers as a Cameroonian folktale sparkling with vibrant images, keen insight and delicious wit. Most of the books have been written in the form of fantasy. But fantasy, Alexander believes, is merely one of many ways to express attitudes and feelings about real people, real human relationships and problems

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfying!, July 21, 2003

By 

X. Chen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Philadelphia Adventure (Mass Market Paperback)

This was a wonderful book, with characteristic Lloyd Alexander wit and humor, along with his deft story-telling. People of all ages will enjoy this latest escapade of Vesper Holly!

Unlike the other books in the Vesper Holly series, this book takes places in an actual place, Philadelphia (as you might have gathered from the title). The World Exposition is going to be held there, but the opening keeps on being delayed, problems of plagued it from the start. President Grant goes to Vesper Holly's home and pleads for Vesper to rescue the kidnapped children in the care of the Brazilian King. The stage is set for some grand Vesper Holly action with her guardian Brinnie, Smiler and Slider (from the previous books), and a new character, Weed in toll! This is a fabulous book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One Great Book, April 18, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Philadelphia Adventure (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this book. It is by Lloyd Alexander, author of The High King winner of the Newbery Medal. One reason I enjoyed was that it kept on surprising me until the end.
It is not based on things that really happened, although it has people who really existed, such as President Ulysses S. Grant.
The adventure begins when Ulysses Grant comes to Vesper Holly's door asking for her help with a kidnaping of two children. The kidnaper is using the children to ransom the emperor of Brazil.
The kidnapper hates Vesper Holly, so he made it clear that bad things would happen to the children if she did not deliver the ransom. That way he can put her in danger to get revenge on her.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As always..fantastic, January 18, 2003

By 

J. Fuller (Kansas City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Philadelphia Adventure (Mass Market Paperback)

The ever delightful Vesper Holly is back in this fifth chronicle by one of my favorite master storytellers. Vesper's resourcefulness, bravery and wit are ever-present while she falls in love (innocently) yet again. Her red hair, fiery personality, orphaned status and love for a certain fat cat conjure up another favorite heroine of the historical fiction world, exotic Nefret Emerson from the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters. Each of these books packs a lot of punch considering how short they are, making them perfect for any young reader.