the beachcombers

by Helen Cresswell

Ned is sent away on holiday to the seaside, to stay with the Pickering family, who are shifty and unpleasant. Ned meets the charismatic Dallaker family on the beach and they become regular company for him. When Ned discovers that they are searching for their long-lost treasure, he wants to help.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Helen Cresswell (1934–2005) was an English television scriptwriter and author of more than 100 children's books, best known for comedy and supernatural fiction. Her most popular book series, Lizzie Dripping and The Bagthorpe Saga, were also the basis for television series.

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very evocative. You can smell the place. I found the first half of the book totally engrossing. Interesting to set up the two families with their very different viewpoints, and great to have Ned dropped in the middle of them from completely out of nowhere. There were times when I worried that maybe things were really going to turn nasty, but my worst fears were laid to rest. It's more psychological.

[Tacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable for some light reading

[Dee Roehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was something I found unexpectedly at the library. It's about how old friends can fall apart and new friends can come together.

[scarlettraces · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book with a great ending. I liked the shifting moral compass that Ned has to deal with.