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Liberty
Liberty - A ROUSING TALE OF DANGER ON THE HIGH SEAS -- When Santiago is thrust into the farm's pigsty, Penelope is captivated by Santiago Talbert's boast, "I plan to sail the Seven Seas."
Together, these extraordinary pigs escape the farm and cross into the land of Liberty, a parallel world where an intelligent human or animal can get ahead. They follow their dream to Boston harbor, where they try to convince sea captains that pigs can sail. First, though, Santiago learns mapmaking, while Penelope works on the docks loading ships.
Eventually Penelope signs onto the Ice King's crew as he cuts and packs ice to ship to the far-flung corners of the world. When the fleet of ice ships sails, Penelope and Santiago join the crew of the flagship, captained by Captain Kingsley, the Ice King himself. A massive polar bear, he harbors dark secrets, and the pigs face the shocking truth: they alone can save the friendly sea serpents from the Ice King's clutches.
From the fascinating world of tall ships comes this unlikely tale of humble pigs who follow their dream. Come and follow the Talberts on their journey.
Together, these extraordinary pigs escape the farm and cross into the land of Liberty, a parallel world where an intelligent human or animal can get ahead. They follow their dream to Boston harbor, where they try to convince sea captains that pigs can sail. First, though, Santiago learns mapmaking, while Penelope works on the docks loading ships.
Eventually Penelope signs onto the Ice King's crew as he cuts and packs ice to ship to the far-flung corners of the world. When the fleet of ice ships sails, Penelope and Santiago join the crew of the flagship, captained by Captain Kingsley, the Ice King himself. A massive polar bear, he harbors dark secrets, and the pigs face the shocking truth: they alone can save the friendly sea serpents from the Ice King's clutches.
From the fascinating world of tall ships comes this unlikely tale of humble pigs who follow their dream. Come and follow the Talberts on their journey.
- GenresChildrens
218 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2016
18 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Darcy Pattison
131 books117 followersDARCY PATTISON (www.darcypattison.com) is published in ten languages.
Children’s book author Darcy Pattison writes award-winning fiction and non-fiction books for children. Her works have received starred PW, Kirkus, and BCCB reviews. Awards include the Irma Black Honor award, five NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, Eureka! Nonfiction Honor book, Junior Library Guild selections, and NCTE Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts. She’s the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children’s literature.
Children’s book author Darcy Pattison writes award-winning fiction and non-fiction books for children. Her works have received starred PW, Kirkus, and BCCB reviews. Awards include the Irma Black Honor award, five NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, Eureka! Nonfiction Honor book, Junior Library Guild selections, and NCTE Notable Children’s Book in Language Arts. She’s the 2007 recipient of the Arkansas Governor’s Arts Award for Individual Artist for her work in children’s literature.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 23, 2016
This is a fun read for kids along the lines of the Redwall or Rescuers series.
There's very little violence. The only one that comes to mind that might be disturbing for young children is the scene where a dog kills 3 kits. But it's not out of place. A fact of nature instance needed to drive home the point the dangers of the "wider world".
Works either as a read aloud to those who can't read at this level yet or for any kids who do.
Thank you to the publisher for the advance readers review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
There's very little violence. The only one that comes to mind that might be disturbing for young children is the scene where a dog kills 3 kits. But it's not out of place. A fact of nature instance needed to drive home the point the dangers of the "wider world".
Works either as a read aloud to those who can't read at this level yet or for any kids who do.
Thank you to the publisher for the advance readers review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 3, 2017
I was totally surprised to find out the main characters were pigs! Loved it! This story was full of twists and turns and unexpected events. Pigs? As mapmaker and working on ships? I found it very interesting that talking animals and humans came together in this tale of high adventure. Fun! Love the character names and mixing of farm, city, and pirate life.
June 13, 2016
Darcy Pattison’s newest children’s fiction book, Liberty takes place in a fantasy world. Once the characters cross over into a land called Liberty, man and animal understand and work with each other. The animals become humanlike as they use utensils to eat, wear human clothing and have to work to earn money to pay for life’s necessities.
The novel starts out in a barn yard with the arrival of a new pig. SanitagoTalbert is unlike any pig Penelope pig has ever seen. He is a proud Berkshire pig with grand thoughts of breaking out of the pen he lives in to escape to Liberty. With plans to sail the seven seas, he convinces Penelope that life is more than living in a pen. Her life will be spent having litter after litter of piglets who will all be sold for bacon until she is too old. Then she will be taken away too.
Penelope soon realizes that she wants more than living in the farmer’s pen, so she plans to leave with Sanitago. Liberty is far from the farm, but with her mother’s blessing, Penelope and Santiago escape and begin their adventure.
Their travels and adventures are full of dangerous characters. The newly freed pigs need to find out who they can trust and who is dangerous in their brave new world. They have to race for their lives when an evil captain tries to capture them. They’ve found out his secret and he is willing to do anything to keep them quiet.
Pattison creates an interesting setting, reminiscent of colonial America for the pig’s adventures. The characters come alive with her words. I felt sorry for Penelope when she tried to climb the rigging in the ship but had too much trouble since she had hooves instead of hands. It is interesting to see how Penelope and Santiago learn to adapt to get the job done.
The ongoing thread of kindness and generosity is woven throughout this manuscript. The pigs are kind to everyone they meet, often putting themselves in danger to help another animal out of trouble. Their kindness is paid back one hundredfold, but they truly are goodhearted and would have helped others without repayment.
Liberty was a fast-paced work of juvenile fiction. Due to the length, I would suggest 3rd to 4th grade school students might enjoy it more than first or second graders. It could be read to them by an adult at home, teacher at school or a caregiver. There are a few scary parts for younger children, but nothing that would give them nightmares, especially if read to them by an adult.
Darcy Pattison is an award winning of fiction and non-fiction children’s books. Liberty will be available at your local bookstore, Barnes and Nobel and Amazon on July 19, 2016. Pre-order now!
Copyright © 2016 Laura Hartman
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from NetGalley that I can keep for consideration in preparing to write this content. I was not expected to return this item after my review.
The novel starts out in a barn yard with the arrival of a new pig. SanitagoTalbert is unlike any pig Penelope pig has ever seen. He is a proud Berkshire pig with grand thoughts of breaking out of the pen he lives in to escape to Liberty. With plans to sail the seven seas, he convinces Penelope that life is more than living in a pen. Her life will be spent having litter after litter of piglets who will all be sold for bacon until she is too old. Then she will be taken away too.
Penelope soon realizes that she wants more than living in the farmer’s pen, so she plans to leave with Sanitago. Liberty is far from the farm, but with her mother’s blessing, Penelope and Santiago escape and begin their adventure.
Their travels and adventures are full of dangerous characters. The newly freed pigs need to find out who they can trust and who is dangerous in their brave new world. They have to race for their lives when an evil captain tries to capture them. They’ve found out his secret and he is willing to do anything to keep them quiet.
Pattison creates an interesting setting, reminiscent of colonial America for the pig’s adventures. The characters come alive with her words. I felt sorry for Penelope when she tried to climb the rigging in the ship but had too much trouble since she had hooves instead of hands. It is interesting to see how Penelope and Santiago learn to adapt to get the job done.
The ongoing thread of kindness and generosity is woven throughout this manuscript. The pigs are kind to everyone they meet, often putting themselves in danger to help another animal out of trouble. Their kindness is paid back one hundredfold, but they truly are goodhearted and would have helped others without repayment.
Liberty was a fast-paced work of juvenile fiction. Due to the length, I would suggest 3rd to 4th grade school students might enjoy it more than first or second graders. It could be read to them by an adult at home, teacher at school or a caregiver. There are a few scary parts for younger children, but nothing that would give them nightmares, especially if read to them by an adult.
Darcy Pattison is an award winning of fiction and non-fiction children’s books. Liberty will be available at your local bookstore, Barnes and Nobel and Amazon on July 19, 2016. Pre-order now!
Copyright © 2016 Laura Hartman
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from NetGalley that I can keep for consideration in preparing to write this content. I was not expected to return this item after my review.
June 12, 2016
Transport yourself to the farmyard of Farmer MacDonald. A wagon has arrived and is backing up to the pigsty. Penelope Grace, a Hampshire and yearling pig, is wondering what lies beyond the farm. She remembers seeing this cart last year and her siblings being loaded on it never to return. Would the new litter of piglets be going on it? This time, no! Instead out comes Santiago Talbert, a Berkshire boar, who declares that he is not staying long but instead planning on sailing the Seven Seas. Having grown up listening to Mrs. MacDonald reading poetry about the high seas, Penelope asks Santiago if he will take her with him. Love-at-first-sight for both of them! The question is, how will they escape?
Written for the younger crowd (8-14) this book is very realistic in that the pigs knew absolutely nothing about foraging, eating grass, sailing etc. To realize their dream was going to involve a lot of time and hard work. It did not happen overnight! One of Penelope's mottos is "How you treat others is more important than having adventures". Several other good messages throughout the book.
Crossing the Mississippi into a parallel world called Liberty all the animals can communicate with each other and humans. What did the pigs learn from old Mr. Crabtree, the raccoon? Penelope is a collector and has a fascination with sea serpents. Why does Captain Kingsley (a polar bear) want a certain map with sea serpents on, of which there are three fake and one real, and is determined to sail the seas to find them all? Known as the Ice King what else has Captain Kingsley stored in his ice houses? What is his BIG secret? Can the pigs discover the truth? Who is Dickens?
Not very familiar with world geography? If you are reading this aloud to your children have a map close by to help them "see" all the places and routes that are sailed. If your child is reading this book by themselves encourage them to also have a map nearby. A GREAT way to learn geography through reading fiction.
At one point Captain Kingsley is drinking and "unsteady on his feet". This 'scene' is tastefully done and realistic but I just wanted parents to be aware of the content. The book is well-written, language is clean, writing is descriptive, characters alive. I only found one error on page 30 where is says ".... struggled to breath...." when it should be "struggled to breathe".
Book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Thanks, Liz
Written for the younger crowd (8-14) this book is very realistic in that the pigs knew absolutely nothing about foraging, eating grass, sailing etc. To realize their dream was going to involve a lot of time and hard work. It did not happen overnight! One of Penelope's mottos is "How you treat others is more important than having adventures". Several other good messages throughout the book.
Crossing the Mississippi into a parallel world called Liberty all the animals can communicate with each other and humans. What did the pigs learn from old Mr. Crabtree, the raccoon? Penelope is a collector and has a fascination with sea serpents. Why does Captain Kingsley (a polar bear) want a certain map with sea serpents on, of which there are three fake and one real, and is determined to sail the seas to find them all? Known as the Ice King what else has Captain Kingsley stored in his ice houses? What is his BIG secret? Can the pigs discover the truth? Who is Dickens?
Not very familiar with world geography? If you are reading this aloud to your children have a map close by to help them "see" all the places and routes that are sailed. If your child is reading this book by themselves encourage them to also have a map nearby. A GREAT way to learn geography through reading fiction.
At one point Captain Kingsley is drinking and "unsteady on his feet". This 'scene' is tastefully done and realistic but I just wanted parents to be aware of the content. The book is well-written, language is clean, writing is descriptive, characters alive. I only found one error on page 30 where is says ".... struggled to breath...." when it should be "struggled to breathe".
Book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Thanks, Liz
July 28, 2016
Liberty is an engaging, original, soulful tale. (Fans of E. B. White stories such as Charlotte's Web and Trumpet of the Swan run to buy this book.)
Penelope and Santiago are the pig protagonists of Liberty. Preferring to be sailors instead of bacon, they escape Farmer MacDonald's pigsty and set out to find Liberty, a parallel world where intelligent animals and humans are considered equals.
Leaving the pigsty turns out to be the easy part. While searching for Liberty, the pair must learn to forage, endure hunger, and defend themselves from attacks by dangerous animals.
Once in Liberty, they spend a year training and saving to make their dream a reality. Drafted into the crew of the Hallowe'en, the pair get more than they bargained for...adventure and danger await them at every turn. Will they survive a perilous storm at sea? Will they discover their captain's secret? Will they create the life they've fought for?
The action unfolds against a background of geography, nautical skills, and a realistic portrait of life at sea.
Though I found all of the characters appealing, Penelope and Santiago were especially compelling. I admired their never give up attitude, combined with their motto that helping others is more important than any adventure, or dream.
A surprise ending is the icing on the cake.
This book now resides on my list of most treasured stories ever.
Penelope and Santiago are the pig protagonists of Liberty. Preferring to be sailors instead of bacon, they escape Farmer MacDonald's pigsty and set out to find Liberty, a parallel world where intelligent animals and humans are considered equals.
Leaving the pigsty turns out to be the easy part. While searching for Liberty, the pair must learn to forage, endure hunger, and defend themselves from attacks by dangerous animals.
Once in Liberty, they spend a year training and saving to make their dream a reality. Drafted into the crew of the Hallowe'en, the pair get more than they bargained for...adventure and danger await them at every turn. Will they survive a perilous storm at sea? Will they discover their captain's secret? Will they create the life they've fought for?
The action unfolds against a background of geography, nautical skills, and a realistic portrait of life at sea.
Though I found all of the characters appealing, Penelope and Santiago were especially compelling. I admired their never give up attitude, combined with their motto that helping others is more important than any adventure, or dream.
A surprise ending is the icing on the cake.
This book now resides on my list of most treasured stories ever.
September 3, 2016
"Liberty" is a delightful middle grade novel about freedom, doing the "right thing," and adventure. Penelope is a pig on MacDonald's farm with her parents and their new piglets. For some reason, she was kept while the rest of her litter was taken away. This becomes clear when a new pig, Santiago, arrives on the farm. Santiago dreams big- he wants to sail around the world. Penelope agrees with him, as it is certainly better than breeding or becoming bacon. They hatch a plan to escape and do, getting married and running away together to sail the ocean.
They go across the Mississippi and all the way to Boston where they set sail on the Hallowe'en and travel around the world. They soon realize their captain is more sinister than he seems and escape the ship to sail on their own ship, Liberty, with a baby they had found named Dickens. In the end, all is resolved and Penelope and Santiago are all the better for following their conscience and adventurous spirits around the world.
This is a delightful book with some themes about the US, freedom, and a sense of adventure and morality. I really enjoyed it as an adult and think it is a real winner for the middle grade reading group. I would be curious to know if Penelope and Santiago will have more adventures in the future.
Please note that I received this book through a goodreads giveaway.
They go across the Mississippi and all the way to Boston where they set sail on the Hallowe'en and travel around the world. They soon realize their captain is more sinister than he seems and escape the ship to sail on their own ship, Liberty, with a baby they had found named Dickens. In the end, all is resolved and Penelope and Santiago are all the better for following their conscience and adventurous spirits around the world.
This is a delightful book with some themes about the US, freedom, and a sense of adventure and morality. I really enjoyed it as an adult and think it is a real winner for the middle grade reading group. I would be curious to know if Penelope and Santiago will have more adventures in the future.
Please note that I received this book through a goodreads giveaway.
July 7, 2016
The trials and tribulations of those who wish to go to sea.
Liberty by Darcy Pattison is a middle grade adventure story on the high seas. Pattison mixes the animal and human worlds in Liberty, a magical place where intelligence rules and discovery of secrets can be found.
The protagonists in this story are Penelope and Santiago, a pair of curious and intelligent pigs. They find the courage to leave behind what they know, their pig sty, their home, to seek the “wider world” and the ocean, to become sailors on their own boat. But like any good adventure story, the protagonists must face their fears head on and prove their worth to move ahead in life. However, life is not “all about me.” Both pigs learn the value of helping others and in turn find assistance when they need it.
This is a tale of struggle and working hard to obtain dreams. It’s a tale of learning to believe in oneself in order to help others. If you are looking for a well-written adventure story, this is the book for you.
Liberty by Darcy Pattison is a middle grade adventure story on the high seas. Pattison mixes the animal and human worlds in Liberty, a magical place where intelligence rules and discovery of secrets can be found.
The protagonists in this story are Penelope and Santiago, a pair of curious and intelligent pigs. They find the courage to leave behind what they know, their pig sty, their home, to seek the “wider world” and the ocean, to become sailors on their own boat. But like any good adventure story, the protagonists must face their fears head on and prove their worth to move ahead in life. However, life is not “all about me.” Both pigs learn the value of helping others and in turn find assistance when they need it.
This is a tale of struggle and working hard to obtain dreams. It’s a tale of learning to believe in oneself in order to help others. If you are looking for a well-written adventure story, this is the book for you.
August 1, 2016
WOW. Ms. Pattison's Liberty engages from page one. Strong sentences and vivid language make this book stand out from the rest. Her characters are rich and fully complement each other. We're told that we must make our animal characters childlike. She has scored an A+ with that one. My favorite character is Santiago. I mean, who doesn't want to be a sailor when you're young? The plot is filled with tension and conflict as Santiago and Penelope search for Liberty. They run into treacherous characters who want them because they know a secret. Ms. Pattison has built a world of wonder much like that of Wild Born, Charlotte's Web and An Army of Frogs. I felt transported into the pages of her wonderful tale that is sure to become a classic. Not only will kids not be able to put down the book but the adults in the family will read this too.
Please read this as soon as possible. It will become a family favorite of the ages. Thank you, Ms. Pattison. Liberty strikes a golden five-star rating from me.
I was given a free book for an honest review.
Please read this as soon as possible. It will become a family favorite of the ages. Thank you, Ms. Pattison. Liberty strikes a golden five-star rating from me.
I was given a free book for an honest review.
August 1, 2016
In an enchanting tale of adventurous pigs, meet Penelope and Santiago. The two young pigs yearn for excitement and dream of sailing the high seas. Together they set out, facing numerous trials before venturing into a parallel world where animals live much like humans. They achieve their quest for navigating the waters and encounter both friends and foes. Ultimately, they risk their own lives in defense of innocent creatures, proving themselves valiant pigs indeed. This imaginative glimpse into a land of animals is a delightful story sure to entertain young readers. They will root for the brave and resourceful pig pair, cheering them on their exciting journey. A great read-aloud for the family!
August 8, 2016
Liberty is an original and exciting middle grade fantasy adventure with a great heart. The story of Penelope and Santiago, two pigs who escape from the farm to follow their dream to become sailors, would make a great read-aloud. Or a read-by-yourself book for a child who would love the adventure and quirky animal characters of Redwall, but isn't quite ready for that intensity or reading level. In addition to the delightfully drawn characters, and the non-stop adventure, I was really charmed by the pleasure Penelope and Santiago found in learning different kinds of work and their joy in a job well done.
August 5, 2016
Another terrific work from Darcy Pattison, Liberty delivers pirates, pigs, selfless heroics, animal villains and high seas adventures! What more could kids and their parents want? Fun, satisfying and definitely piggy! Enjoy!
August 2, 2016
Fast-paced and funny, this middle grader book will delight any fan of animals and adventures!
December 26, 2016
This book has the feel of Charlotte's Web but with more adventure, more teeth. Great for those who like classics. Middle Grade
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews