Young Walter Scott

by Elizabeth Janet Gray, Elizabeth Gray Vining, Kate Seredy (Illustrator)

Newbery Medal Honor Title (1936)

Despite years of living with country relatives, Walter is determined not to let his lame leg stand in his way once he is at home again. This lively, fictionalized biography, transports readers, too late 18th century, Edinburgh, Scotland, and offers an engrossing introduction to the life of the famous novelist. Illustrated by Kate Seredy, it was first published in 1935.

Genres: Biography, Childrens, Nonfiction, Juvenile

239 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1935

About the author

Elizabeth Janet Gray Vining was an American professional librarian and author who tutored Emperor Akihito of Japan in English while he was crown prince. She was also a noted author, whose children's book "Adam of the Road" won the Newbery Medal in 1943.

Reviews

[Thomas Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. The main character was kind of lame. Actually, he was a 'lamiter,' a word I had never heard of and which has now disappeared from American dictionaries. It means he had a bad leg and had to limp to walk.

Anyway, it is a story of how he worked on being a better version of himself throughout a few years of his youth. He was smart and liked poetry, and he tried to be as physically active as he could as well. Nothing special though. Oh, and he gets married at the end. Seemed sudden and random, but I guess it was a way to say he 'became a man,' which seemed to be a main theme of the last few chapters.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. A pleasantly written, nothing much happens, fictionalized biography of Sir Walter Scott that covers his early life from 8-10 yrs old until begins study to be a barrister (19/20). As a child he was lamed (by polio - not mentioned in the book), but refused to have his activity curtailed. He was involved in neighborhood fights, hiked around Holyrood, and read voraciously. He had a fondness for the Highlands and the stories told him when he was young (which he incorporated in his writing). The book ends abruptly, Wattie having decided to give up his writing and focus on the law, with the girl he marries (probably?) introduced in the penultimate chapter. I read this for my 2018 Reading Challenge and my Newbery Challenge (Honor Book, 1936).

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a well-written fictionalized biography of a young Walter Scott. We see his life from about the age of six to when he is a successful law apprentice with a group of literary friends, meeting the woman he will marry. The book itself, though, doesn't give me reason to care. Though the title is "Young Walter Scott," it needed to give me somewhere more information about who Walter Scott would be as an adult. Sir Walter Scott is a recognizable name, but I think the recognition comes as much from their being more than one famous Sir Walter Scott as it does from anyone in modern times knowing enough about this Walter Scott to not have to Google him to understand the point of the book.

[Desiree']

1936 Newbery honor book

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I didn't like this book the first time around, but I enjoyed it a lot the second time. I did Wikipedia Scott after I finished the book to figure out who he was. I recognized one of his works, Ivanhoe. I loved the stories of him joining in the bickers despite his leg. I also loved the sudden ending with him meeting his wife 🥰.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Young Walter Scott. Coming after reading The Pageant of Chinese History where the author would sometimes get a little condescending, I enjoyed just reading about a happy Young Walter Scott and learning the lessons for myself.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bit slow at times; didn't capture my full attention. Like her stories (Adam of the Road) better than her loose bios (this or Meggy MacIntosh).