The Borrowers Avenged (Odyssey/Harcourt Young Classic) (Hardcover)

~ Mary Norton (Author), Beth Krush (Illustrator), Joe Krush (Illustrator) "Mr. Pomfret, the village constable at Little Fordham, was a thin young man with very soft, brown eyes (Miss Menzies often said he looked "wistful")..." (more)
Key Phrases: borrowing bag, larder window, game larder, Miss Menzies, Lady Mullings, Kitty Whitlace (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Like her Borrowers the author is resourceful, inventive, and patient. . . . Her fantasy continues to be totally real and totally acceptable." (The Horn Book )

"Like her Borrowers the author is resourceful, inventive, and patient. . . . Her fantasy continues to be totally real and totally acceptable."--The Horn Book

Unlike other fantasy stories in which humans instantaneously had shrunk bodily to keyhole-sized proportions, the borrowers, once humans themselves in ages past, gradually shrank in their spirits first and then in their bodies: their downsizing an outward testimony to the shrunken "good" that once flourished in all humans. By the curious nature of her main character, Arietty, author Norton weaves into this snail-paced, survival-adventure, experiences that most children at some point will meet-traveling to unknown places, handling personal relationships; leaning values, manners, and hygiene; and adjusting geographically to where one lives. Dappled with sketches throughout, this book in the "Borrowers" series (now a major motion picture) will delight the appetites of who enjoys a story with generous helpings of details, and a slow simmer to a pleasing dénouement. 1998 (orig. (Children's Literature ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description

Pod, Homily, and Arrietty Clock's huge adventures have been thrilling children young and old for fifty years--and their appeal is as strong as ever in these handsome new paperback packages. While the original beloved interior illustrations by Beth and Joe Krush have been retained, Marla Frazee's striking cover illustrations capture these little people with a larger-than-life appeal.
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 298 pages
• Publisher: Perfection Learning (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081243675X
• ISBN-13: 978-0812436754
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,808,097 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a good end to an otherwise delightful series., February 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Borrowers Avenged (Turtleback)

This book was undoubtedly not intended to be the last in the series, but unfortunately it was. The book left several very important characters at odds in the end it a disheartening way. If I had to do it over again, I would have stopped the series with The Borrower's Aloft. Other than this story, the rest of the series by Mary Norton was a delightful addition to our family's storytime.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinatingly different, September 5, 2001

By	Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: The Borrowers Avenged (Hardcover)

This book was written in 1982 as an afterthought to the earlier books (The Borrowers (1952), The Borrowers Afield (1955), The Borrowers Afloat (1959), and Poor Stainless (1966)). This follows the Clocks (Pod, Homily and Arrietty) after their escape from the Platters. Having found their way to an old rectory, the Clocks realize that they will never really be safe.

This book is quite different from the earlier books. This story contains social commentary, as seen when the family meets Peregrine Overmantle, and the introduction of more fantastic elements, such as a household ghost. It's quite interesting to imagine where Mary Norton might have gone, had she had the time to write more Borrowers stories. Anyway, this is a great book, and well worth your time and money.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Saga Continues, May 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Borrowers Avenged (Paperback)

Just to set everyone straight, this book is NOT based on the campy, sellout movie "The Borrowers." The movie should be renounced by all true fans, as it is a badly done attempt at commercializing on Mary Norton's brilliant ideas. Anyway, "The Borrowers Avenged" was written more than ten years before the Borrowers movie. It continues the story of Pod, Homily, and Arrietty, as they finally settle into an old rectory. It raises important questions about the future--(who will Arrietty marry, Spiller or Peagreen? I tend to think Peagreen.), but as all good Norton stories, gives you room to decide for yourself.