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.
Erma says
I would love the chance to win, thanks.
Jason Nickolay says
This book sounds very interesting
Annie G says
Sounds right up Zo-Peep’s alley! Thanks.
Cheryl F. says
I’d love to read this 🙂 *Thanks* for the giveaway!
Samantha Miller says
This sounds like a great book! I would love to win this!
Valerie Mabrey says
count me in to win
Brenda Park says
Looks like a great read, thanks for the chance to win!
Heather B says
sounds like a book my children and i could really enjoy reading together
Ed Nemmers says
Happy 2009!
Joyce Jacobs says
So many books, so little time. This one sounds really cute.
Ellie W says
This sounds like a really cute book. Please enter me.
Melissa P says
Thanks for the giveaway!
Tamara Burks says
This sounds interesting.
Gabriel J. says
Please, enter me, great prize!!! I would love to win this.
Doreen says
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john ferris says
You offer such great prizes.
Marcia S says
The title of this book is intriguing.
Robert R says
please enter me…thank you for the nice giveaway
Alli says
This would be so great! Thanks!
Linda Killian says
This book sounds like it would be great to read to my daughter!
Marcy Strahan says
What an adventerous read! Would love to read this book.
Thanks!
Elizabeth M. says
It sounds like an absolutely delightful read!
Jennifer Barr says
sounds like a great book 🙂
Tracey Byram says
Liz and Tristan would enjoy a new book for bedtime reading.
kathy pease says
PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY 🙂
Kathy Conley says
Sounds like a good read!
Amy Griffin says
Sounds excellent! Count me in. Thank you for such a nice giveaway!
Tarah says
This looks like a really cute book!
Jeane Campbell says
Sounds like a book I should have on my grandchildren’s book shelf.
jayne says
Sounds like a great book! I would love to enter!
Buddy Garrett says
I would love to win the book.
Kelly F says
This book looks so fun and cute! Great giveaway!
Tammy says
I think my daughter would really enjoy this book, quirky is right up her alley!
Susanne Troop says
My children would enjoy reading this book!
Lily Kwan says
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
Kathy says
Looks like a great story!
Timothy Sternberg says
This book sound delightful.