Good Old Archibald

by Ethelyn M. Parkinson

This book is a replica of the original from the collections of The New York Public Library; it was produced from digital images created by The New York Public Library and its partners as part of their preservation efforts. To enhance your reading pleasure, the aging and scanning artifacts have been removed using patented page cleaning technology. We hope you enjoy the result.

Genres: Fiction, Juvenile

340 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1960

Reviews

[Desiree Kuhns · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun family read aloud.

[Sheila Witmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny, good classic to teach children about including those who are different than themselves

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book as a child. I read it over and over and over... I still have the book, and have read it to my kids!

[Chazzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Old Ralph Jackson and his family have moved out of town. Now his desk is empty in Miss Kramer's class, his house is empty and it just isn't the same. Through the eyes of Trenton J. Conway, Junior we see how different life is without good old Ralph.

The boys are sad about Ralph leaving. He was a key player on the Bumblebees baseball team, and they have a big game coming up in four weeks. Will his being gone cost the team the game? And it just isn't the same when singing The Marines Hymn without gold old Ralph singing in C-sharp through the whole song.

While the boys were commiserating in the schoolyard, a long, shiny car pulled up and a boy got out of it. He was dressed in gray pants, gray jacket, white shirt and necktie, wearing a wrist watch and a ring. He seemed pretty dressed up to be coming to school. What type of student was this guy going to be? Probably not good at baseball and terrible at singing The Marine Hymn. When the boys find out the new kid is named Archibald they figure he is no replacement for good old Ralph.

Archibald is the new kid, coming from a rich family in a not-rich town. How will he win any friendship with the boys? The girls are all taken with him, but he wants to be one of the boys.

Written in 1960, it gives a view of life from a kid's perspective at the time. Kids play outside, use their imagination to keep themselves entertained. They also have chores around the house and live in a family centered world. No electronics for distraction yet they are always doing something.

It is a children's book, but it is a fun read and trip back in time. I think any age could get something out of it and enjoy it. The dedication in the front sort of sums it up:
"To Gerald, Keith, and Louise
their sister dedicates this book in memory of the happy days."

[Ruthie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read aloud story for my boys. I love that they have rules at the table - "every man is allow two elbows and one knee on the table but no more."

[Dustin Strite · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite middle grade books I have on my shelf. Childhood depicted as it is meant to be.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for kids. Read it to my 3, 5, and 6 year old boys and they loved it. They were laughing in every chapter. I even got a little teary eyed at points. Definitely worth reading out loud to the kiddos.

[Carol Drufke-Zeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first books I remember reading over and over, and I saved it and my kids both read it too! A great story!

[Jose Escobar Isturiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished re-reading this. And it still really good