Don Quixote and Sancho Panza [Abridged] [Hardcover]

Margaret Hodges (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up

Episodes from the masterpiece of Spanish literature chronicle the hilarious adventures of Don Quizote and his squire, Sancho Panza, including the classic battle with the windmills and Sancho Panza's eventful term as ""governor"" of his island.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A master reteller of classic tales, Caldecott Medalist Hodges ( Saint George & the Dragon ) offers an abridgement of Cervantes's celebrated picaresque novel. In her deft presentation, she has wisely focused on Quixote and his "devoted squire," Sancho Panza, two comic characters whose antic misadventures are certain to hook readers. An informed, literate introduction leads directly into these six stories--atmospheric tales that have retained all their drama, wit, and humanity in the passage of nearly four centuries. Included are the hilarious "The Flying Horse" and the justly famous "The Battle with the Windmills"--in which the Don shouts at his whirling enemy, "I'll make you pay, no matter how many arms you shake at me." Even these excerpts make some demands on the audience, but the rewards of this rich, if occasionally difficult, reading fun are manifold. Marchesi's vigorous illustrations--particularly his lively, expressive figures--follow nicely in the classic style of illustrated books (despite a somewhat lackluster jacket). Ages 11-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-- An adaptation of Don Quixote that makes the classic work accessible to younger students. Hodges has chosen six incidents from the novel and retold them in straightforward language that, while not retaining the vigor of the original, will hold interest if read aloud. Stylistically, it does not come up to Magda Bogin's version (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 1991), which is remarkably faithful in both tone and wit to Cervantes's voice. Both that edition and this one might be used together to demonstrate the difference style makes in the telling of a tale, and highlight how different illustrators envision a story or a character. Manuel Boix's illustrations for Bogin's narrative are sun-drenched golden watercolors, evoking a dreamy mood. Marchesi's oil paintings, in a darker palette, are more realistic (Panza looks like the Barber of Seville), but no less true to the story. Both versions have strengths. The cover, in which the shadow of the windmill looks like a giant, is a good selling point. --Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 72 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum (September 30, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684192357
• ISBN-13: 978-0684192352
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,246,864 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)