Emil and the Detectives (Hardcover)

~ Erich Kästner (Author), Walter Trier (Illustrator), Maurice Sendak (Introduction), J.D. Stahl (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Originally published in 1929, Erich Kastner’s engaging tale has delighted readers young and old, for generations. It’s Emil’s first train ride alone and he’s excited, and a little nervous.On the train, his fellow passengers are impressed with how polite and grown-up Emil is, and the man in the bowler hat offers him some chocolate—but Emil keeps checking his coat pocket, where he’s pinned the money that he is taking to his grandmother. Soon, though, Emil finds himself getting sleepy . . . and the next thing he knows, the man in the bowler hat is gone— and so is the money! With the help of some new friends Emil becomes a detective and tracks the thief through the city. With its enduring themes of leadership, courage, and teamwork, there are many lessons to be learned by the grownups and the children, alike, and the delightful illustrations by Walter Trier make this rollicking, heartwarming tale come alive. AUTHOR BIO: Erich Kastner (1899-1974) was one of the best-known international children’s authors of the twentieth century and was awarded the American Library Association Mildred L. Batchelder Award and the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Emil and the Detectives was his first book and he was also the author of The Little Man,The Flying Classroom, and Lisa and Lottie, among others. Walter Trier was the celebrated illustrator of many children’s books. He illustrated several other of Erich Kastner’s children's books, including The Flying Classroom, Emil and the Three Twins, and Lisa and Lottie, among others.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: Overlook Hardcover (November 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585675865
• ISBN-13: 978-1585675869
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #182,323 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Older = Better, October 19, 2008

By	reading geek (Providence RI, USA) - See all my reviews

I have adored Kasner's books but I found this translation not as vibrant as the older versions. If you want a more authentic copy search for used books.

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless, October 17, 2009

By	Glupson (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I don't remember much about this book, except that it was brilliant when I read it, over and over, almost 40 years ago. Now, I bought it for my 6-year-old daughter who inhaled it. She was critical of it, though. "Too many boys in this book."

5.0 out of 5 stars Emil and the Detectives, December 15, 2008

By	Anna M. Ligtenberg "AnnaLovesBooks" (Chicago) - See all my reviews

ISBN 1585675865, ISBN 0582426995, ISBN 0099413124, ISBN 0760706387, ISBN 0590405713, ASIN B000NPWQG8, ASIN B000L2NWZM, ASIN B000SICR8C, ASIN B000T7OFWS, ISBN 058244831X, ASIN B000IR1M7A, ASIN B001CHOGC8, ASIN B0007FDV3G, ASIN B0014CAK26, ISBN 0582541530, ISBN 0140301267, ASIN B000S5NIE2, ASIN B000HHXHVK, ASIN B000S9KNUA, ASIN B000J5NVD4, ASIN B001B3U6Y0, ASIN B0000CKAE8, ASIN B001N22EG2, ASIN B000KHU4VS, ISBN 0590334344, ISBN 1856931455, ASIN B000GOI3NQ, ASIN B0016P9694, ASIN B0000CP6D9, ASIN B000KKAMGM, ISBN 0174432208, ISBN 071351941X, ASIN B000H0PKNK, ASIN B001J5XI5O, ISBN 0573050082, ASIN B000KRZ2ME, ASIN B000NPLTT8, ASIN B001GUZUBC, ASIN B000J16W52, ISBN 0590405713 (as you can see, Amazon's got a bit of house-cleaning to do with merging the duplicate listings)

- Emil is going on the train to visit relatives in Berlin. His mother puts an envelope of money in his care, to deliver along with some flowers when he arrives. Things go wrong when he dozes off, only to awaken and discover that his car-mate and his money are gone. Determined to get his money back, Emil stumbles upon a group of boys in Berlin who quickly organize to capture the thief.

Hardly dated at all, this is a light, fun story. The author had some fun with naming characters, which are listed in the beginning of the book. Kids will enjoy Emil's and the detectives' triumph over the thief. A great read for boys, in particular, if only because there aren't enough books out there for boys! The edition I've read for this review is translated by May Massee.

- AnnaLovesBooks