From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5–Penelope Lively's 1972 tale (Egmont Children's Books, pap. 1993) about siblings Paul and Sondra is brought to life through the meticulous narration of Hannah Gordon. The two children have run away from their new stepmother and are trying to get to their grandmother's house which is several miles away when they encounter Old Bill driving his horse and cart along the Driftway. The Driftway, an ancient road that runs from Banbury to Northampton, England, was used by many country folk to move their animals from pasture to pasture and has seen many battles over the centuries. Old Bill gives the children a ride, and Paul experiences some of the events that occurred along the road hundreds of years ago. He imagines encounters with a young boy who was orphaned in a Norse raid, a Robin Hood-like robber who is proud of his deeds, and a forlorn young girl who wanders aimlessly in the area. Each of these imaginary encounters helps Paul understand and appreciate his rocky relationship with his stepmother. By the time the trio reach their destination, Paul is ready to go home and resolve his problems with his stepmother. This old-fashioned story with a strong message is skillfully handled by Gordon. Her tone and pacing shift perfectly to indicate time and mood changes.–
Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Penelope Lively combines the ancient and modern in this most unusual coming-of-age story. Paul and Sandra have a difficult time adjusting to their new stepmother; eventually they run away from home. They hop a ride with old Bill on a cart going down the Driftway. "This is an old road . . . many travelers have left messages for those who come after," Bill tells the children. The road literally speaks to them. Narrator Hannah Gordon is superb as the story frequently shifts in time, place, and situation. Young listeners will be entranced as they encounter variations on the Robin Hood theme. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine--
Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
