An action-packed retelling of Robert Louis Stevensons famous adventure, specially written for readers ready to tackle longer stories on their own. The classic story of kidnap, shipwreck and survival in the wild Scottish Highlands, accompanied by atmospheric illustrations to bring the text to life. Part of the Usborne Reading Programme developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton. With internet links to find out more about the life and times of Robert Louis Stevenson.
This book features in the following series: Usborne Young Reading, Young Reading, Young Reading Series 3 .
This book has been graded for interest at 7 years.
There are 64 pages in this book. This book was published in 2012 by Usborne Publishing Ltd .
Alan Marks is widely published and has illustrated many books. He is also a 'Smarties Prize' prize winner. Rob Lloyd Jones never wanted to be a writer when he grew up - he wanted to be Indiana Jones. So he studied Egyptology and archaeology and went on trips to faraway places. But all he found were interesting stories, so he decided to write them down. Jake Atlas and the Hunt for the Feathered God is Rob's fourth novel, though he has written more than thirty other books for children, including non-fiction and adaptations of such classics as Jekyll and Hyde. He lives in East Sussex with his wife and two young sons.
This book contains the following story:
Kidnapped
"Kidnapped" is an adventure novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson, first published in 1886. The novel is set against the backdrop of 18th-century Scotland and follows the journey of David Balfour, a young protagonist who faces danger, intrigue, and personal growth. Here's a plot summary:
Plot Summary:
The story begins with David Balfour, a young and orphaned protagonist, traveling from his rural home in the Lowlands of Scotland to the city of Edinburgh to seek his inheritance. David's journey takes an unexpected turn when he encounters his uncle, Ebenezer Balfour, who is intent on gaining control of David's inheritance. Ebenezer arranges for David to be kidnapped and sold into servitude aboard a ship headed for the American colonies.
However, before David can be transported to America, he escapes from the ship with the help of a Jacobite rebel named Alan Breck Stewart. The two unlikely companions form a bond as they traverse the rugged and dangerous Scottish Highlands, avoiding capture by government troops loyal to King George II.
As they journey together, David and Alan become embroiled in political turmoil and intrigue. The novel is set during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, a period of conflict between supporters of the exiled Stuart dynasty and the ruling Hanoverian government.
The duo's adventures include encounters with various characters, both friendly and treacherous, as well as dangerous escapades and narrow escapes. David and Alan's contrasting personalities and backgrounds create tension and humor throughout their journey.
The novel explores themes of loyalty, friendship, honor, and the complexities of political allegiance. David undergoes significant personal growth as he navigates the challenges of the Highland landscape and learns to adapt to the realities of life on the run.
The climax of the story centers around the Battle of Culloden, a historic event during the Jacobite Rebellion. The events at Culloden impact the fates of David and Alan, leading to a resolution that demonstrates their resilience and determination.
"Kidnapped" is a classic adventure tale that skillfully blends historical context with action, suspense, and character development. Stevenson's vivid descriptions of the Scottish landscape and his exploration of themes such as identity and justice contribute to the novel's enduring appeal.
This book is in the following series:
Young Reading
The Adventures of David Balfour
This series follows the adventures of David Balfour in 18th century Scotland at the time of the Jacobites.
Young Reading Series 3
Usborne Young Reading
The Usborne Reading Programme is a collection of over 300 reading books, graded in seven levels and covering a wide range of subjects, both fiction and non-fiction. First Reading covers the first four levels, and Young Reading the next three.Series 1: These titles are for children who have just started reading on their own. They are 48 pages long and typically contain several short stories or one longer story divided into chapters. They use fairly short, simple sentences and everyday vocabulary.Series 2: These titles are for children who are reading more confidently. They are 64 pages long and use varied sentence lengths, more complex sentence structure and more challenging vocabulary.Series 3: These titles are for fully confident readers who still need to gain the stamina needed for standard length books. They use advanced sentence structure and vocabulary and have more complex plots with subplots.
