Books in Swallows and Amazons series

The Swallows, Amazons, and the Ds are all on a sailing cruise with Captain Flint when they spot a mysterious bird nesting on an island in a loch. Their curosity soon lands them all in tremendous danger.While exploring in the Outer Hebrides, the adventurers spot a mysterious bird nesting on an island in a loch. Could it be a great northern diver, never known to nest in the British Isles? They tell their discovery to a local expert who secretly collects birds’ eggs and stuffed skins of birds. The collector sets off with a gun―and the children set off to stop him.Friendship and resourcefulness, dangers and excitement: Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons series has stood the test of time. More than just great stories, each one celebrates independence and initiative with a colorful, large cast of characters―and children are the heroes. Great Northern? (originally published in 1947) is the twelfth and final completed title in the Swallows and Amazons series, books for children or grownups, anyone captivated by a world of adventure, exploration, and imagination.

Friendship, resourcefulness, and sailing, too! Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons series has stood the test of time. More than just great stories, each one celebrates independence and initiative with a colorful, large cast of characters.Swallowdale (originally published in 1931) is the second title in the series. It follows the Walker family and friends through a shipwreck, a camp on the mainland, a secret valley and cave, and a thrilling mountain hike.The entire Swallows and Amazons series is for children or grownups, anyone captivated by a world of adventure and imagination, exploring and setting sail.

The first title in Arthur Ransome’s classic series, originally published in 1930: for children, for grownups, for anyone captivated by the world of adventure and imagination. Swallows and Amazons introduces the lovable Walker family, the camp on Wild Cat Island, the able-bodied catboat Swallow, and the two intrepid Amazons, Nancy and Peggy Blackett. “The author really does know how to write for children: in other words, he writes of what he himself delights in and so pleases without any effort both young and old.” –The Nation “This book is both silvery present and golden retrospect. All that is tedious and sullen and deceptive vanishes in its sunniness as clouds vanish in the tempered air of a summer day.... We think that the book will last, too, from edition unto edition.” –Saturday Review

The Swallows break a promise to their mother and the four young sailors find themselves drifting out to sea―and then sweeping across to Holland in the midst of a full gale!The Swallows only meant to sail within an estuary on a borrowed boat. They didn’t mean to get stranded in the fog, lose their anchor in a storm, and be driven out into the North Sea. John is nearly swept overboard, their ship almost capsizes―and Susan really regrets not doing as their mother asked. And their father, Navy Commander Ted Walker, is due back from his posting in Hong Kong any time and they might miss seeing him. Family, resourcefulness, and sailing, too: Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons series has stood the test of time. More than just great stories, each one celebrates independence and initiative with a colorful, large cast of characters. We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea (originally published in 1937) is the seventh title in the Swallows and Amazons series, books for children or grownups, anyone captivated by a world of adventure, exploration, and imagination.

Friendship, resourcefulness, and sailing, too! Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons series has stood the test of time. More than just great stories, each one celebrates independence and initiative with a colorful, large cast of characters.In Secret Water, the five Walker children are left on a “desert island” by their parents with provisions for a long stay and a blank map to fill in. As the children explore the inlets, coves, mudflats, and estuaries they end up crossing paths with enemies (another clan named “The Eels”) but friends as well (who else but the intrepid “Amazons?”)The entire Swallows and Amazons series is for children or grownups, anyone captivated by a world of adventure and imagination, exploring and setting sail.

The Coot Club is back and better than ever in this ninth volume of Arthur Ransome’s beloved SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS series. When Joe, Pete, and Bill are wrongly accused of casting boats adrift in the middle of the night, the young crew of the mighty Death and Glory vow to find the real culprits and prove their innocence. Together with their fellow Coot Club members, they form the Big Six, modeled after the greatest detective group in the world, and embark on a fast paced, hilarious hunt that will thrill Ransome enthusiasts and young fans of nautical adventure. “Mr. Ransome again equals or perhaps excels himself, and every boy will vote this detective story super.” –New Statesman “The adventure, though engrossing, is only part of the book in which the cry and flight of birds, the smell of water and tarry ropes, and the jargon of men and boys brought up to use their hands and senses are all delightfully plain to us.” –Times Literary Supplement

It was going to be a great summer for the Amazons until their great aunt came to stay. She’s decided the Blackett sisters need to act more like ladies―and that makes adventures a little bit more of a challenge!The Amazons’ mother (doubtless suffering from exhaustion) has gone off sailing in the North Sea with Captain Flint on a rest cure, but she has allowed her two daughters to stay on the lakeshore with their trusty cook. She’s also permitted their two old friends, Dick and Dorothea Callum, to come up for a visit. But when the redoubtable Great Aunt hears of their abandonment, she’s horrified and off on the next train.The Amazons are dismayed; not only will their solo holiday be ruined but now they’ll have to hide their two guests in the woods in an abandoned shepherd’s cottage (where they’ll be forced to live off the land like the ancient Celtic, “Picts”) while the Blackett sisters will be required to dress up in white pinafores, practice the piano, and recite reams of poetry aloud (therefore “The Martyrs”).Friendship and resourcefulness, dangers and excitement: Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons series has stood the test of time. More than just great stories, each one celebrates independence and initiative with a colorful, large cast of characters. The Picts & the Martyrs (originally published in 1943) is the eleventh title in the Swallows and Amazons series, books for children or grownups, anyone captivated by a world of adventure, exploration, and imagination.

Someone is wrecking wild birds’ nesting places on the lake and selling eggs to out-of-town collectors. It’s the Coot Club Bird Protection Society to the rescue!Dick and Dorothea Callum came to the Norfolk Broads during the Easter holidays, eager to learn to sail. There, they run into the Coot Club―children who protect the local birds from thoughtless tourists.Trouble begins when a coot’s nest is disturbed by a ship full of “Hullabaloos”―rude holiday boaters. The children try to convince the “Hullabaloos” to moor their noisy boat somewhere else. This fails and frantic chases, calamitous boat collisions, daring rescues (including by a dog, William the pug), and rewards ensue!Friendship and resourcefulness, dangers and excitement: Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons series has stood the test of time. More than just great stories, each one celebrates independence and initiative with a colorful, large cast of characters. Coot Club (originally published in 1934) was ahead of its time in its concern for protecting wildlife. It is the fifth title in the Swallows and Amazons series, books for children or grownups, anyone captivated by a world of adventure, exploration, and imagination.

The first title in Arthur Ransome’s classic series, originally published in 1930: for children, for grownups, for anyone captivated by the world of adventure and imagination. Swallows and Amazons introduces the lovable Walker family, the camp on Wild Cat Island, the able-bodied catboat Swallow, and the two intrepid Amazons, Nancy and Peggy Blackett. “The author really does know how to write for children: in other words, he writes of what he himself delights in and so pleases without any effort both young and old.” –The Nation “This book is both silvery present and golden retrospect. All that is tedious and sullen and deceptive vanishes in its sunniness as clouds vanish in the tempered air of a summer day.... We think that the book will last, too, from edition unto edition.” –Saturday Review

The fourth book in Arthur Ransome’s classic series for children, WINTER HOLIDAY takes intrepid explorers John, Susan, Titty, and Roger Walker, and fearsome Amazon pirates Nancy and Peggy Blackett to the North Pole. Joined by budding novelist Dorothea Callum and her scientist brother Dick, the children plan an “Arctic” expedition. But unforeseen events separate the travelers and disaster nearly strikes in the exciting climax of their race to the Pole. “The story is the best kind of adventure story. . . . Every step is possible, and everyone is transmuted into romance by deliberate purpose. Nothing that the children do is beyond the reach of a group provided that winter, a frozen lake and mumps connive to perfect adventure.” – Observer “Mr. Ransome’s imagination is as deep and secret as the waters of his lake, his prose is as strong and level as the ice which covered it – a beautiful surface for adventurous skaters of any age.” –New Statesman “It’s hard to believe that four siblings could camp out together on an island for weeks without cross words. But like the old fashioned atmosphere, this loyalty and good cheer make their imaginary world a most pleasant, happy place.” – The Philadelphia Inquirer