By the Great Horn Spoon!
Sid Fleischman (J Historical Fiction)
Jack’s Aunt Arabella is about to lose their beloved home due to financial hardships so he, along with the family’s faithful butler Praiseworthy, stowaway on a sailing ship headed to California in hopes of striking it rich. Young Jack wants adventure, but is he ready to face the perilous sea, dangerous outlaws, and the back-breaking life of a prospector for the slim chance of finding gold? By the great horn spoon he is! And with his loyal butler by his side, he’s sure that there’s no problem they can’t solve, no scoundrel they can’t outwit, and no gold they can’t find.
By the Great Horn Spoon! is one of the best—if not the best—Gold Rush books for kids that I’ve come across. It’s a high-stakes thriller that’s packed with action, adventure, and plenty of twists to keep any reader engaged. At the center of it all are two of the unlikeliest prospectors to ever live between the covers of a book: a spunky yet naïve 12-year-old boy and a reserved, intelligent butler. Jack and Praiseworthy are the heart of this story and their relationship is one centered on trust, mutual adoration, and loyalty. Through their own personal growth, we see their bond strengthen and their relationship evolve from one of servant and master to father and son. What is most appealing are the virtues that Praiseworthy imparts on Jack: always keep your word, offer compassion whenever possible, and stand up for what you believe in.
The storyteller Aesop once wrote, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted” and Praiseworthy proves this time and time again. Whether he’s helping a prospector look his best for his new bride, defending a known criminal to help fulfill the wish of a dying friend, or protecting the honor of a young woman in Boston, our proper gentleman with his white gloves, reliable umbrella, and black bowler hat always seems to know the right thing to do and is there to reap the unexpected rewards of his actions.
Praiseworthy spends the entire book thinking himself unworthy of the affections of a certain miss back home because of his social status, but as his name suggests, this humble and mild man is truly worthy of praise and his generosity and kindness make him far richer than any amount of gold he might find.
Rating: 5/5
Bring Jack and Praiseworthy to your class with our study guide: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Study-Guide-By-the-Great-Horn-Spoon-by-Sid-Fleischman-12249210
The Dusty Jacket 