Border Hawk: August Bondi

by Lloyd Alexander, Bernard Krigstein (Illustrator)

Farrar, Straus & Cudahy. 1958. First Printing. Hardcover. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall Book and jacket in VG condition. Small amt of foxing on very top edge of book, very minimal shelf wear to jacket top spine.Tight/clean.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

182 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Lloyd Chudley Alexander was an influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books. His most famous contribution to the field of children's literature is the fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain. The concluding book of the series, The High King , was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1969. Alexander's other books have also won the National Book Award and the American Book Award. He was also one of the creators of Cricket Magazine.

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

While clearly marketed to a Jewish readership, this is a better than average historical story that tells of a lesser-known figure. It certainly could have wider appeal. I liked how Bondi's story included both Europe and America. Judging by other books, sometimes it seems that immigrants coming to America don't accomplish anything until they get here. It was also good that this story covered the pre-Civil War period in detail (much more than the actual war, in fact). I could definitely see this being useful in teaching about how the country ended up at war. There aren't many children's books about John Brown, but certainly he is a figure who should be covered. His is a story that isn't simple - the ends do not justify the means. This book does the job of telling at least part of Brown's story pretty well, with Bondi observing and commenting as well as participating.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It doesn't get into some of the complexities of the issues it raises, especially with slavery, but this series of little known Jewish heroes effectively works in common aspects of Jewish life so that a kid could understand them as they read an action filled tale. August Bondi fought for freedom in Vienna, fled to the United States, had a career on a river boat, fought against slavery in Kansas, began a family, and fought in the Civil War.