My dad bought me Swallows and Amazons as he had loved the series as a child and from when I first opened the book, I was hooked. Even now it is a magical children's novel and evocative of a time when children could go off and camp on an island. The story starts with four children. Their father is in the navy and their mother, along with their baby sister Vicky and the nanny has taken the family to the lake district on holiday. They are staying at a local farm where they have been given a boat - the Swallow, to sail around the lake. They want to go camping on one of the islands in the lake and at the start of the book, they receive a telegram from their ...  Read the complete review

Swallows and Amazons – Arthur Ransome ~~~Setting~~~ Swallows and Amazons was written in 1930, an adventure story aimed at children and the first of a series of 12 novels for which their author is most well known. Set in the Lake District, it follows the adventures during one summer holiday of the Swallows (brothers and sisters John, Susan, Titty and Roger) as they camp on an island of adventure, make enemies and then friends with the Amazon pirates (Nancy and Peggy), solving mysteries and chasing thieves. It is a very tame, but very charming novel, seemingly enjoyed by children and adults alike. I bought and read it earlier this year after ...  Read the complete review

Wild Cat Island is perfect for the children’s summer holiday adventure. Their sailing boat, ‘Swallow’ has John as captain, Susan as ship’s mate, Titty as able-seaman, and Roger, the youngest of the four, as the ship’s boy. When they reach the island they notice a stone fireplace already made up. Who could have already camped on their island? The answer to this question arrives later when the ‘Amazon’ pirates, Nancy and Peggy, declare war for possession of the island. Dangerous night-time sailing, treasure hunting and ship capturing follows, and when the summer ends they all have to leave behind a lot of exciting memories. ...  Read the complete review