Stranger at the Window [Hardcover]

Vivien Alcock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 27, 1998

Alcock explores a contemporary issue: the plight of a child who is a refugee in an alien society. And as four children try to provide a safe haven for this stranger in a strange land, they begin to understand their own strengths as well as their limitations. Stranger at the Window contains the elements that are the hallmark of Vivien Alcock's books - a strong plot, a determined heroine, and a beautiful command of the English language. "Childhood is," Alcock has written, "an exciting and dangerous time, and it fascinates me." Her books reflect that excitement, danger, and fascination.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

While recuperating at her aunt's London house, an 11-year-old girl uncovers a mystery. "Wry humor and a contemporary theme make this slightly implausible tale compelling," said PW. Ages 10-14. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8AA story set in contemporary London. Eleven-year-old Lesley, recovering from an illness, is sent to live with her Aunt Amy while her mother takes a job in Cairo. Soon she meets the family next doorAbusy Mrs. Harwood, tirelessly raising money for charity, and her three unfriendly teenagers, Christopher, Robert, and Victoria. Shy Lesley pursues their friendship in order to unravel the mystery of a strange face she keeps seeing at their attic window. Finally, the teens let Lesley in on their secret: unbeknownst to their parents, they are hiding an illegal immigrant child who was going to be deported. After Lesley sneaks Erri into her aunt's house, the action speeds up, with much secrecy, smuggling of food, and close calls from suspicious adults. In a dramatic finale, Erri's presence is discovered; he ends up in a foster home, but is allowed to stay in Britain. The story is a curious mixture of the current (the illegal alien theme) and the old-fashioned (a child "recovering from illness" sent to live with relatives). Characters are lightly developed, and there is little sense of place. Even Erri's homeland is never actually named. Readers will be drawn in, however, by the mystery and the characters' self-reliance.ARuth S. Vose, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; 1St Edition edition (April 27, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395816610
• ISBN-13: 978-0395816615
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,327,987 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Mean, arrogant Victoria, yet loving & caring....., February 10, 2009

By 

TNreader (barefoot in Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stranger at the Window (Hardcover)

Eleven-year-old Lesley, who is recovering from hepatitis, is at her aunt's home in London while her mother is working in Cairo,Egypt. Lesley is convinced she has seen a frightened child peering out of the attic window of the house next door. When she confronts her neighbors (Christopher, Robert & Victoria) and learns about their secret castaway, Lesley becomes involved in their desperate attempt to keep him from the authorities. The author did an excellent job in developing the character of 14-year-old Victoria. The reading level of the book is grades 5 to 8. The book requires a very mature reader to understand the political consequences of harboring an illegal immigrant.

5.0 out of 5 stars I highly recommend this story for both children and young adults..., July 30, 2006

By 

S. Prince (Jamestown, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stranger at the Window (Paperback)

Eleven year old Lesley is still recovering from a serious illness (Hepititis) and so she isn't able to travel to Egypt when her mother takes a temporary job there. So Lesley goes to live with her elderly Auntie Amy in London for the summer. Auntie Amy is very kind to Lesley, but never having had any children of her own, is not quite sure what to do with Lesley, and so she leaves Lesley alone a lot while she works in her sewing room. Lesley is still recovering from her illness so she mostly watches the neighbors from her bedroom window or her aunt's back yard. Until she notices a little boy's face peeping out of the neighbor's attic window, and her curiosity pushes her into investigating what the children next door are hiding in the attic. At first Lesley doesn't like the three older Harwood children who live next door to her aunt, but she comes to see them in a different light when she is drawn into their efforts to help a young boy who has entered the country illegally.

I buy a lot of books for my own child, and all my nieces and nephews, but I read all the stories first to make sure they are not only age appropriate, but interesting and written in a way that is easy to follow. I highly recommend this book for both children and young adults.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Must Read, January 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Stranger at the Window (Paperback)

The book Stranger at the Window is a book about a young boy who has to hide places in houses because he is a illegal immigrant. I think the book is exciting because you never know what is going to happen next. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes an interesting and exciting book.