Crown of Violet

by John Escott (Adapter), Geoffrey Trease, Tricia Hedge

All over Athens the cocks were crowing, the sky was turning from dark-blue to oyster-grey, and the city was waking to one of its great events, the annual festival in the vast open-air theatre. Alexis, son of Leon, was full of anticipation as he dreamed of having his own plays performed there one day. But he was to be involved in more than playwriting before the day was over, for among the spectators at the horse race, by the light of the flaming torches, he heard Hippias, the arrogant dandy, and a stranger with a beaked nose and over-high cheekbones, plotting to overthrow the democracy of Athens. For the rest of the year, two things possessed Alexis: his comedy The Gadfly, and the plans he laid with his friend Corinna to trap the conspirators and save his beloved city. His exultation and anxiety grew together as the fateful Theatre Festival arrived once more. Geoffrey Trease has combined a fast-moving dramatic story with a vivid and accurate picture of a great historical period.

An adventure story of Ancient Athens

Genres: Historical Fiction

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1952

About the author

John Escott started by writing children's books and comic scripts, but now writes and adapts books for students of all ages. He especially enjoys writing crime and mystery thrillers, and is a member of the British Crime Writers Association.

With Oxford University Press John has published London for the Oxford Bookworms Factfile series; Agatha Christie, Woman of Mystery, Star Reporter, Girl on a Motorbike, The Fly and Other Horror Stories, and The Scarlet Letter for the Oxford Bookworms Library series; The Magician, Time for a Robbery, Star for a day, Tomorrow's Girl, and The Man with Three NAMEs for the Hotshot Puzzles series; and A Pretty Face for the Dominoes series.

Reviews

[Siti Shifa' · Rating 5 out of 5]

If my kids read this book I think they'd appreciate the idea of thinking differently and it'll teach them to not fear anything that challenges their way of thinking.

[Yukina Sawada · Rating 4 out of 5]

The crown of violet
Oxford L 3
5/24 15 minutes. 5/27 60 minutes
7 words summary
1 Ancient 2 Athens 3 Proud 4 Man 5 Lady
6 Wish 7 Freedom

I chose this book, because I was impressed by the cover of this book. Also the title was interesting for me.

Discussion Question
In ancient Athens, all women could not participate in any political activity.
If you were robed something of your right, what kinds of right you would not be robed the most?

My Answer
I do not want to be robed my right of studying at school. I know that many girls cannot go to school because of religions in some developing countries. I think studying at school is very important and valuable thing for me.

My Comment
I could not finish reading this book in this week, so I do not know the climax of this story. However, the story is already interesting for me and I want to know the main character's secret soon. I recommend this book to you.

5/31 50 minutes 6/3 10 minutes
7 words summary
1Alex 2 Realizes 3 Plot 4 Stand 5 Bravery
6 Protect 7 Country

Discussion Question
In this story, Alex realized a plot that tried to destroy the area where he lived. After he realized that, he announce his wisdoms to protect his area.
- If you realized a plot which makes you in dangerous, what would you do?

My Answer
If I realized that, I would do nothing, because I would be afraid of that situation. Then, I would ask help to a police.

Comment
In this week, I finish reading this book. I think this book is very interesting, so I really recommend it to you.

[Terzah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent classic YA fiction. My 11-year-old twins enjoyed this story of an Athenian boy's coming of age--and so did I!

[Halit Akıllı · Rating 3 out of 5]

good

[Như Quỳnh]

The first english book I read so that I chosen a normal book which easily to read.

[Yuka Sugiura · Rating 4 out of 5]

1.12/5=60m,12/8=40m
2. Oxford level3
3. Athens
rule
Spartan
play
democracy
revolution
daughter
4. Alexis lived in Athena, where people had own democracy rules. For example, women cannot talk about claver things and go to the party. Alexis was good at writing the play. One day, he met with a unknown girl from Greek whose name was Corinna. She didn't like Athens rule. They became good friend since then and Corinna helped Alexis to write the play. She liked his play! He wanted his play to be played in the public theater. However only adult could produce their play in Athena so Alexis asked his uncle to say that he wrote Alexis's play. It was successful and his play was decided to be played on public! After that, Alexis and Corinna found something strange message. It was said that we will kill the government by our long knives! How dangerous message it was! Alexis tried to help his government using his play! Was it successful?? How did he?? Moreover, you can know the secret of Corinna and her family. This story is filled a lot of interesting things!

5. I really love this story. I'm interested in world history so I could learn about people in Athena from this book. Alexis was brave and kind boy and I like his act to Corinna. In Athena, men couldn't hang our and talk a lot with women, but Alexis was kind to Corinna. They helped each other and solve their difficult problems.
I like the last scene! Alexis and Corinna did great thing!

[Yokoi Yumi · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE CROWN of VIOLET Level:3

TIME; 12/6=50minutes, 12/8=40minutes

7-word sammary;boy, Athens, theatre, Socrates, play, enemy, festival

Discussion Questions;
1. Do you have a enemy?
I have rivals, not enemies. I think rivals are necessary because if I have rival, maybe I think I don't lose him or her. My rivals are my friends of high school. I respect them, but I think I don't want to lose them.

2.In the past, women were very weak position more than men. This book said women don't watch comedy because it's not polite. If someone forbid something I like, I would be shocked! So, if someone forbid something you like, what do you do? Can you endsure it?
No! I like watching animation. So, if I was forbided it, my entertainment would be lost! I can't endsure.

[Takuya Kitaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Oxford level3
2. Time 4/19 60minutes 4/20 35minutes
3. 7 word summary Athens-Alexis-festival-plays-Corinna-Socrates-enemies
4. 1discussion question
Have you ever had enemies in your life?
A. Yes, I had. When I was a junior
high school student, I participated
in a boat club. Then I was not chosen for a regular member.
However my best friend was chosen easily. Since then he became my enemy. After that I was chosen for a regular member!
5. I think that this book is very good to learn Greece. Moreover
the last part is thrillng. Someone was planning a revolution to the Athen.

[Haruka Hasegawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Oxford level3
2. 6/14-90m, 6/16-25m
3. Theatre, play, rich man, Socrates, cave, flute, family,
4a, I know nothing, but I know that I know nothing. Some people know nothing, but believe that they know everything.
B. This passage is famous Socrates's word. I like this part because I could know that I know nothing.
5. This book is really interesting for me. The boy has a dream to make a play and came true after meeting Socrates. In the last part, they're all close to his family and Socrates. It was interesting.

[Misaki Ohata · Rating 2 out of 5]

1. oxford level3
2. 11／9 30min 10 30min 11 35min
3. treason democracy sprtan socrates revolution tragedy politics
4. a【Alex lives in Athena. He knew that there are enemies who don't like Athenian democracy, and they are planning the revolution to broke Athenian democracy.
b【It was the happiest evening of Alexis' life.】
5.This story was a little bit difficult for me.
Because, I don't know well about Athena,
and Athenian democracy, of course Socrates. So I couldn't understand at all.

[Keiko Kawashima · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Oxford University Press, level 3
2. 7/7 = 35 minutes, 7/8 = 60 minutes
3. Alexis, Alexis's friend, Athens, Hippias, Sparta, revolution, women
4a. "Don't try to escape, or do something stupid"
4b. I was excited. Alexis was caught when he spy Hippias.
5. I empathize with Corinna. She has great brave I think.

[Tessei]

10/27 65min
10/28 21min
10/29 18min


7-words summary
Athens, boy, play, democracy, cave, terrorism, meeting



My opinion
I found this book is good because the story is very simple but it has a meaning. In addition, the background is in ancient Athens therefore it also makes story good

[Thiva Tj · Rating 5 out of 5]

IU

[Jan(is) Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really cool story about two friends reaching their goals and... saving Athens.

[Mark Rudd · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely children's book, well worth revisiting - thank you Bryony