Swallows and Amazons

[Shelly in MD]

I bought this book after seeing it recommended on lists constantly, and we started reading it aloud last week to my 7yo, 11yo, 13yo. We're on chapter 6 and the consensus so far is that it isn't bad, but it's DULL and slow moving. Does it get better? I hate to commit weeks to a book we are plodding through, but I've seen this recommended so often that I keep thinking/hoping we just haven't gotten to the good parts yet!

Thanks!

Shelly

[Rhonda in TX]

We read it last spring. While both of my kids say it wasn't their favorite, they did enjoy it. Have the other girls showed up in the book? Things pick up at that point, from what I can remember.

[Willow]

Well we love it, but although I don't live in the Uk anymore my parents do, and in the lake district at that. We know the area well ....also we sail....

Did you know they were real kids?

Willow.

[Shelly in MD]

I had no idea! Thanks for the information!

Shelly

[Elinor Everywhere]

Does it get better? I hate to commit weeks to a book we are plodding through, but I've seen this recommended so often that I keep thinking/hoping we just haven't gotten to the good parts yet!
Shelly

We read it this summer as part of a sailing unit study we were doing, and my kids *loved* it. It starts out a bit slow, but both my 10yos were dying to know what happened in the end.

We are sailors though, so that may have something to do with it. Most of the terminology is familiar to us.

[Alphabetika]

My girls loved them, but they're sort of used to me reading slow and plodding books. :) I'd say they get better and better as more characters show up. We're big fans of the twin sister characters Port and Starboard, but I'm not sure when they show up because it's been a few years since we read them. Don't give up!

[Daisy]

LOL. My DH is reading it to my 6yo and 9yo. They LOVE it! They ask for it daily. They act it out with their playmobil toys.

Sadly, I think it is terribly boring, which is why DH is reading it.

[Shelly in MD]

Dh reading it at bedtime; that is an excellent plan! Maybe the acting-out-idea would help, too. It may be that I'm just too jittery and distracted these days to settle into the book with them. :bored: I'll keep on this week and see how we feel about it then; thanks!