I thought The Amazing Flight of Darius Frobisher was a pretty cute book overall. The story is written by Bill Harley (published by Peachtree Publishers) who is credited as being an excellent family story teller. I do believe I second that!
This is the story of Darius Frobisher whose father went missing in a hot air balloon. Eleven year old Darius is being raised by his father’s housekeeper, Miss Hastings, until the insurance company that his father used to work for decides that the house Darius and Miss Hastings live in needs to be sold and the money put into a trust for Darius to live on when he is older. As a result of this, Darius is sent to live with his Aunt Inga between whom there is no love loss. If not for the hope Darius has of riding a bicycle that he finds in Aunt Inga’s basement back to Miss Hastings, Darius would not have survived his summer at Aunt Inga’s.
With that story line in mind, the book almost sounds like it could be a downer but it truly isn’t. I thought the characters were quirky and wacky enough that it added an element of humor to the plot so that when you might be tempted to feel a bit down, you’d perk right back up. Not only that, but I sincerely appreciated (and applaud!) Harley for continually making the point that grownups are to be valued and respected as being wise — even though the particular ones being represented in this book had some serious character flaws. He could have easily removed all respect from the adult characters but instead encouraged his readers by saying things like, ‘Now you and I both know that normally . . .” but Darius was not in a normal situation and the reader is encouraged to acknowledge that this is a special and unique situation.
The Amazing Flight of Darius Frobisher is clean (minus the military school mentioned in the book being named “Crapper Academy” which I thought was a bit distasteful), quirky and fun. Harley paints pictures in your heads with his choice of words. He sets scenes up in your minds eye and it’s easy to see this book on the big screen. It’s a little different, a little unique and quite a pleasant read. On the whole, I’d give this book a thumbs up for creativity and imagination.
If you’d like to win a copy, leave a comment here. The winner will be announced on January 7.
The winner of The Tale of Despereaux is #22 Betsy. You should have received an email, but if not, please use our contact form to send us your name and address.
Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.
Sydney says
Bill Harley is amazing! He has been entertaining families for at least 20 years. I’d love a copy of this book!!
Kari says
I’ve never heard of this author! Would LOVE to check it out, count me in! THANKS so much!!
david basile says
sounds fun thanks
Sarah H says
Sounds like an interesting book.
Dawn Fiske says
The family would love this book. Looks delightful.
Cassandra Janda says
Please enter me–thanks!
ellen cunningham says
I’d love to win this for my son. Thanks for the chance.
michele anne jaquays says
Hey, I want in on this contest.
Mary Ward says
The books sounds like one that my daycare kids would love and that I would enjoy reading right along with them.
Maja says
love it
claudette flanigan says
wow…sounds great! I’d love to read this.
veronica sandberg says
want to win this
Anya says
Great giveaway. Thanks for the chance.
Christin Banda says
this looks great! thanks!
Noelia Gutierrez says
I would love this and so would my kids
Terry Vanderpool says
Please enter me in this great contest thanks
Angela J says
Looks like a good read.
Ally says
great prize
angela cisco says
I think my family would enjoy this
Jack Davis says
Looks like a GREAT book for the kids!
Gina from Queen Rabbit's Realm says
This sound like a great read aloud for our family. My 8 year old and 6 year old would especially enjoy it. Thanks for the opportunity!
Andrea R. says
My 9 yr old daughter loves to read & she would love this book!
MJ says
This sounds really cute!
Jill Miller says
Sounds like a really good book!
Amy Tucker says
This sounds like a great read.
Carla Pullum says
Count our family in!!!
Carla
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com
Cindi says
Happy New Year! The cover of the book is wonderful. I have a niece and nephew who would enjoy this book together. Please enter my name in your delightful drawing. Many thanks…..Cindi
meredith says
Such a cute book, I would love to win this for my child’s library.
Pamela Hansen says
would love to win this for my niece and nephews
Linda Moeller says
I’ve heard this is a great story. We have avid readers in the family!
Christina G. says
Thanks for the giveaway!
Jennifer hedden says
enter me
adrienne Gordon says
i’d liek to win
Deidre says
Sounds like a good book that the whole family would be interested in.
Deidre
mindy says
great read thanks for the contest
Susan Ledet says
Thanks for the chance to win this nice book.
Katherine Frazier says
sounds like an interesting book, would love to have it.
Annette says
Sounds like a good book.
Keith says
Sounds like a fun book, I’d love to give it to our library.
Karen Gonyea says
Looks great 🙂
Stacie says
Please count me in 🙂
Hesper F says
Looks like a fantastic read!
Jean F says
Thank you for holding such a great giveaway!
Daniel Petre says
I would like to read this to my kids.
Jay French says
This sounds like a wonderful book.
Francine Anchondo says
Thanks for the giveaway… I love reading new books.
Lara Aleff says
What an adorable kids book!
Delores says
please enter me!
romero says
would love to be entered.
Marion B says
Sounds like a good book!