The Silver Crown [Paperback]

Robert C. O'Brien (Author)

Book Description

Ellen awakens one morning with a mysterious silver crown on the pillow beside her. What magic powers it possesses she has not yet discovered, but the sudden changes in her life are unmistakable: her house is burned down, her family has disappeared, and a man in a dark uniform is stalking her. Can Ellen ever find her family? Can she use the power of the silver crown to thwart the powers of darkness? What diabolical force hides inside the mysterious castle in the woods?

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

In real life, Robert C. O'Brien was Robert Leslie Conly. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, attended Williams College and graduated from the University of Rochester. He studied piano at the Eastman School of Music, and at one time considered becoming a musician. Instead, he became a writer and editor for such magazines as Newsweek and National Geographic. He lived in New York City and then in Washington, D.C., and he and his wife had one son and three daughters. His other books for young readers include the Newbery Medal winner Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, which was the basis for the animated film The Secret of NIMH, and Z for Zachariah, which was completed by his wife and daughter with the help of his notes after his death in 1973. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (May 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689871252
• ISBN-13: 978-0689871252
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,466,953 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert C. O'Brien In real life, Robert C. O'Brien was Robert Leslie Conly. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, attended Williams College and graduated from the Universtiy of Rochester. While there he studied piano at Eastman School of Music, and at one time considered being a musician. Instead, he became an editor and writer for Newsweek magazine from 1941 to 1944, and for Pathfinder from 1946 to 1951. From 1951 until the time of his death in 1973 he was employed as a writer and editor by the National Geographic Magazine. He made his home in New York City before 1944 and in Washington, D.C. after that. He also had a home in Morgan County, West Virginia, after 1965, a place he loved and visited as often as he could. He was married and the father of one son and three daughters. His books include The Silver Crown, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, which won the Newbery Award, and A Report From Group 17. His last book, Z is for Zachariah was nearly completed at the time of his death; the last few chapters were written from notes by this wife and one of his daughters.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I looked for this book for 25 years..., September 24, 2004

By 

M. Runyon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Silver Crown, Reissue (Hardcover)

I first read this book when I was 10 years old - the same age as the heroine, Ellen. I continued to check it out from my small town library over the years until I graduated and left home at 18.

The bits and pieces I retained in my memory were tantalising... an independent, strong-willed girl; a boy, rather wild and untamed; a CROWN, omigosh, it made her a princess, couldn't that happen to me?? And, of course, the all-controlling Hieronymus Machine, with its ebony streets and handsome, albeit evil king. But was the king truly evil, or just an unwitting pawn?

This book has some mature themes, of which parents should be aware. There is a fire that appears to have destroyed her entire family. There is a description of a murder to which Ellen is an eyewitness. She accepts a ride from a stranger who turns out to be the murderer. There is a journey on her own that exposes her to danger and hardship. I was, as were my children, mature for my age and gobbled it up like candy. It may be a little dark and unnerving for some kids. If you feel your child can separate fantasy from reality, then I highly recommend this book as an introduction to reading a more challenging book then the pablum that is typical for this age.

I swore that if I could find this book, I would retype it and post it on my website for everyone to read. When I finally did find it, I paid 150.00 for it. Two months later, it was re-issued!! Oh, well. My children, then ages 13 & 11, had also fallen in love with it, so I got them each a hardback. My son bought 6 paperbacks (out of his OWN money) and donated them to his Lit teacher's class so it would always be available. This is one of my all-time favourite books, which is saying a lot because I read books like most people eat lunch.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, February 13, 2000

By 

George D. Gates (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The SILVER CROWN (Paperback)

I remember reading a book called The Silver Crown in third grade, and it's one of the most vivid memories I have of any book that I read as a child. I thought I must have been the only person that remembers it, but judging from the comments here, it struck a chord with a great many of us. It was one of those books that you feel a bit of a letdown once you finish, since there's no more of it to read. I remember a girl (Julie?) in search of her family, whom she believes is dead. The ensuing adventure, in which she meets a boy, finds a castle-like building (I remember having to look up the word 'corrider' as a youngster), was a magical trip through the imagination that has helped fuel my passion for reading books to this day. If anybody can find a copy of this book, I highly recommend it for pre-teens. I'd love to find it for my children!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reprinting, April 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The SILVER CROWN (Paperback)

Good news for all us who loved this book as a kid and can't getour hands on it (Thanks to Amazon for trying): In trying to track itdown, I know someone who spoke with Simon & Schuster the publisher and was told it would be reprinted in hardcover next February. I would recommend that anyone who hasn't read this book, child or adult, snap it up when it becomes available. END