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The Midnight Folk

The Midnight Folk

by John Masefield, afterword by Madeleine L'Engle, illustrated by Rowland Hilder

$18.95
$0.00 $18.95
Ages 10-14 Available as E-Book British & Irish Literature Children's Literature
Format

The Midnight Folk introduces readers to Kay Harker, the orphaned boy who is also the hero of John Masefield’s classic Christmas fantasy, The Box of Delights. Kay lives in a vast old country house, and is looked after by an unpleasant duo: the oily and egregious Sir Theopompous and the petulant and punitive Sylvia Daisy Pouncer. In her zeal to educate Kay on the finer points of Latin grammar, Sylvia Daisy has even taken away all of Kay’s toys. Life seems very dull, until out of an old family portrait steps Kay’s great-grandfather, a sea captain, who, if legend is to be believed, made off with a fabulous treasure.

Soon Kay is engaged in a thrilling quest that begins each night as the clock strikes twelve, taking him into the enchanted and dangerous world of the Midnight Folk: pirates, highwaymen, talking animals, and a gang of witches led by none other than Sylvia Daisy (in cahoots, as in The Box of Delights, with the arch-villain Abner Brown). In the end, it is that ragtag team of old toys that rallies to support Kay and save the day.

A book to set beside C.S. Lewis’s Narnia tales and Joan Aiken’s Wolves of Willoughby Chase—not to mention the Harry Potter series—The Midnight Folk is a wonderful and enthralling contribution to the great English tradition of children’s literature, beloved by adults and children alike. 

by John Masefield, afterword by Madeleine L’Engle, illustrated by Rowland Hilder

Additional Book Information

Series: NYRB Kids
ISBN: 9781590172902
Pages: 256
Publication Date:

Praise

Mr. Masefield has written the sort of book that grown-up people like to give a child for Christmas, and then enjoy reading for themselves. The Midnight Folk is a story to be read aloud in the traditional Winter fireside setting....The style is imaginative and glamorous...Children will like to hear their elders read the tale.
— The New York Times

John Masefield's much-loved 1920s children's book about a boy who must fight dark magic to uncover his family's treasure. It won't be easy, but luckily he has an owl, a fox, a cat and a box of toys to help him on his way.
— The Guardian (London)

An imaginative and adventurous tale.
— The New York Times

Masefield the children's writer is unbeatable...The Midnight Folk is a truly remarkable book.
— Daily Telegraph (London)

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