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The Silver Crown
Ellen awakens one morning with a mysterious silver crown on the pillow beside her. What magic powers it possesses she has not yet discovered, but the sudden changes in her life are unmistakable: her house is burned down, her family has disappeared, and a man in a dark uniform is stalking her. Can Ellen ever find her family? Can she use the power of the silver crown to thwart the powers of darkness? What diabolical force hides inside the mysterious castle in the woods?
322 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
About the author
Robert C. O'Brien
8 books289 followersRobert Leslie Conly (better known by his pen name, Robert C. O'Brien) was an American author and journalist for National Geographic Magazine. His daughter is author Jane Leslie Conly.
For more complete information on this author, please see:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...
For more complete information on this author, please see:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 420 reviews
April 6, 2020
This book haunted my childhood memories for years, a mysterious specter, the title of which I couldn't recall. What incomplete details I had retained eventually proved adequate for discovery on the internet. Once I identified the text, it lingered in my unconscious until I happened to be in the juvenile fiction section of the public library one day in my mid 30s. Browsing an aisle, I turned around and saw the title on the spine before me, a spooky beacon of serendipity, as I had not been looking for it.
I checked it out, read it to my son, and got to relive the experience. It does fall short of great fantasy, largely due to insubstantial resolutions. With a shared world similar to though less distinct than J. K. Rowling's dichotomy of wizards and muggles, the story demanded more rational conclusions to what it proposed. Aside from the disappointing ending, this story was one of my first glimpses into fantasy and abstract concepts of time, freedom, telepathy, sanity, and, subliminally, technology's role in human development. It also dealt with death and misery in a way I had never encountered in a children's tale. The Silver Crown certainly nurtured a burgeoning philosophical curiosity on my young psyche and O'Brien deserves credit for that.
I checked it out, read it to my son, and got to relive the experience. It does fall short of great fantasy, largely due to insubstantial resolutions. With a shared world similar to though less distinct than J. K. Rowling's dichotomy of wizards and muggles, the story demanded more rational conclusions to what it proposed. Aside from the disappointing ending, this story was one of my first glimpses into fantasy and abstract concepts of time, freedom, telepathy, sanity, and, subliminally, technology's role in human development. It also dealt with death and misery in a way I had never encountered in a children's tale. The Silver Crown certainly nurtured a burgeoning philosophical curiosity on my young psyche and O'Brien deserves credit for that.
February 3, 2013
Why am I giving this book 5 stars? Because, quite simply...thirty years after first reading it, I still think about it.
It made that great of an impression on me. I didn't understand all the words and I couldn't even pronounce a bunch of them but, every once in a while, I think of that little girl when she puts the crown on her head and she BECOMES a queen.
That's all. A grown-up rememberance of a children's book. I'll never forget it.
Five stars for staying power.
It made that great of an impression on me. I didn't understand all the words and I couldn't even pronounce a bunch of them but, every once in a while, I think of that little girl when she puts the crown on her head and she BECOMES a queen.
That's all. A grown-up rememberance of a children's book. I'll never forget it.
Five stars for staying power.
July 10, 2014
I dunno about other readers that have read this story, but I thought The Silver Crown was scary! The main character’s house gets mysteriously burned down, her family killed, a creepy man stalks her, ( minor spoilers??? -->) Nobody can help them either, not even the police! Surely I can’t be the only one who finds this so terribly disturbing? Still, I absolutely loved this story. The creepy plot is exciting, the characters are lovable, the chapters are short and sweet, and that ending was precious. <3
Ellen and Otto were fantastic characters. Ellen is a very down-to-earth type of girl and Otto is very much a typical boy. XD I liked how they both interacted with each other and how they worked as a team. I found their teamwork pretty inspiring to be honest.
I thought it was funny whenever Ellen would tell Otto something he said was vulgar too. She’s actually pretty motherly. *laughs* Btw, was ‘belly’ really a vulgar word back in the sixties?
Ellen and Otto were fantastic characters. Ellen is a very down-to-earth type of girl and Otto is very much a typical boy. XD I liked how they both interacted with each other and how they worked as a team. I found their teamwork pretty inspiring to be honest.
I thought it was funny whenever Ellen would tell Otto something he said was vulgar too. She’s actually pretty motherly. *laughs* Btw, was ‘belly’ really a vulgar word back in the sixties?
December 11, 2012
Going through some old assignments, I discovered an old book report I wrote on this book when I was about twelve years old. Here is an excerpt-
The Silver Crown is one of the best books I have read. The descriptions used by the author were stunning in that they transported you there, following after Ellen as she went on her journey. Ellen is a very strong heroine. She still makes her share of mistakes, and she is someone almost anyone would want for a friend. I first borrowed this book from the library, but I ended up checking it out 4 times to reread. Finally I bought it, and have not regretted doing so. Every time I read it, I find something new and different. It seems so real that when I go hiking, I always check above the trees for the black malignite walls of the Dark Castle, or the glittering opening of the quartzite cave.
The Silver Crown is one of the best books I have read. The descriptions used by the author were stunning in that they transported you there, following after Ellen as she went on her journey. Ellen is a very strong heroine. She still makes her share of mistakes, and she is someone almost anyone would want for a friend. I first borrowed this book from the library, but I ended up checking it out 4 times to reread. Finally I bought it, and have not regretted doing so. Every time I read it, I find something new and different. It seems so real that when I go hiking, I always check above the trees for the black malignite walls of the Dark Castle, or the glittering opening of the quartzite cave.
December 6, 2010
Vivid memories of the effect this book had on me when my teacher Mrs Leish read this to us in grade four - and finding the edition I had then, a photo-realist painting of Ellen wearing the silver crown itself, her blue eyes unblinking as she enters into a trance - made me dare to read it again.
Let's face it, going back to your taste in grade four often is a big no-no.
I choreographed a dance to "angel in the centrefold" around that time. I studied ballet in the sense it was compulsory at my genteel school and I hated and sucked at it, the fat myopic girl in the back row.
I loved Mighty Isis. Need I go on?
So expected this book to pall but couldn't resist the seduction of the excitement I felt as each installment was read, standing behind Mrs Leish and massaging her shoulders (a favored task we all vied for, despite her dandruff).
It's still pacy and brutal, with kind adults that turn up at the right time to balance the horrible assassins and hunters that are trying to capture the children and the crown. I can now clearly finger Robert C. O'Brien and Russell Hoban as the architects of my love of arcana, a gnostic sense of the universe as likely to fuck you at any time (thanks, Demi-urge), and the seductive power of the quest, particularly with lots of detail about survival skills and self-sufficient children. OK, My Side of the Mountain might have to take the blame as well.
Still, the invocation of secret, evil knowledge, crazy self-aware machines made by monks invoking 'Hieronymus', mind-controlling stones etc is gibberish, pure and simple. Appealingly simple for ten-year-olds, who even then if I remember rightly, let the lameness slide a bit. Learning how to "deadfall" trap squirrels, throw knives and beat the bad guys will compensate for almost any McGuffin.
Let's face it, going back to your taste in grade four often is a big no-no.
I choreographed a dance to "angel in the centrefold" around that time. I studied ballet in the sense it was compulsory at my genteel school and I hated and sucked at it, the fat myopic girl in the back row.
I loved Mighty Isis. Need I go on?
So expected this book to pall but couldn't resist the seduction of the excitement I felt as each installment was read, standing behind Mrs Leish and massaging her shoulders (a favored task we all vied for, despite her dandruff).
It's still pacy and brutal, with kind adults that turn up at the right time to balance the horrible assassins and hunters that are trying to capture the children and the crown. I can now clearly finger Robert C. O'Brien and Russell Hoban as the architects of my love of arcana, a gnostic sense of the universe as likely to fuck you at any time (thanks, Demi-urge), and the seductive power of the quest, particularly with lots of detail about survival skills and self-sufficient children. OK, My Side of the Mountain might have to take the blame as well.
Still, the invocation of secret, evil knowledge, crazy self-aware machines made by monks invoking 'Hieronymus', mind-controlling stones etc is gibberish, pure and simple. Appealingly simple for ten-year-olds, who even then if I remember rightly, let the lameness slide a bit. Learning how to "deadfall" trap squirrels, throw knives and beat the bad guys will compensate for almost any McGuffin.
August 25, 2018
An interesting fantasy for children written in the late 1960s. Ellen wakes up on her tenth birthday and finds a silver crown on her pillow; a crown made of material which can be folded (which becomes relevant later when she has to carry it with her long distances and eventually hide it). An imaginative child, she decides to go for a walk to the local park and play at being a queen there as she often does. She thinks the crown might have come from her Aunt Sarah who is the only adult she knows who doesn't just pretend to believe Ellen is a queen: she says she is and means it.
While at the park, Sarah tries on the crown and it has the effect of making her calm and clear minded, something she needs shortly afterwards when she discovers that her family have apparently all died in a mysterious fire while she was out playing. And shortly afterwards, a robber in a green hood, who murders a shopkeeper and a policeman from whom she was trying to get help, seems to be implicated in the arson on her house. Meanwhile, Ellen sends a postcard to tell her aunt she is coming to see her because she is now on her own, and a series of men start to help Ellen in what, to a modern reader, seems rather creepy - even in the 1960s there were warnings about not to get into cars with strange men, for example.
I won't say much more about the plot, but other characters do appear, especially Otto an eight year old child prodigy who is an expert tracker, animal trapper, knife thrower and tree climber, having apparently taught himself those things. There is also a rather entertaining talking crow called Richard who is Otto's pet. Otto has been raised by a resourceful older woman who he now persists in believing is his mother although she has tried to tell him otherwise, after she found him wandering in the woods near her house when he was a toddler. She wants Otto to go with Ellen on her journey to Aunt Sarah's, as she thinks Sarah will adopt him and wean him off this idea about his mother and also break a rather destructive habit . The two children are menaced on their journey by the force behind the robber and other sinister men.
Probably because of the age of the children, and the period when this was written, the relationship between them is just simple uncomplicated friendship. Although Ellen is quite forward thinking and a planner, the story does conform in some ways to 1960s ideas of appropriate roles for boys and girls: the boy is the active one who is more capable physically and the girl is the one who injures herself and holds them up. However, she also can't be controlled in the way that most other people, including Otto, turn out to be later in the story.
I enjoyed the book on the whole but unanswered questions piled up by the ending, such as, if the crown has the effect it is shown to have at the end of the story on the evil force behind everything, then why was that force not affected whenever Ellen wore her crown - which at one point, left on her own with a sprained ankle for days, she does for hours at a time. At the very least, those whom she meets later (avoiding spoilers) should perhaps comment in puzzlement that this force has been zoning out and not giving orders for long periods of time recently. Also, I expected that there would be an explanation for Otto's origin, and that we might find out that Ellen's family somehow survived - she seems to get over her multiple bereavement very rapidly. The denoument of the story, which requires a third character to somehow evade hot pursuit and return to the very heart of the villains' hideout - when access to that was shown to involve authorised personnel touching a handplate and there were other perils as well - was a bit weak.
I've also read, since finishing the book, that there were apparently two endings in the American edition. The version I read was published in the UK and involves only a short postscript which explains who sent the crown to Ellen, but the whole issue of how the villains found out she had it is left open. On the whole, the build up to the story is stronger than the actual resolution and for that reason my rating balances out at 3 stars.
While at the park, Sarah tries on the crown and it has the effect of making her calm and clear minded, something she needs shortly afterwards when she discovers that her family have apparently all died in a mysterious fire while she was out playing. And shortly afterwards, a robber in a green hood, who murders a shopkeeper and a policeman from whom she was trying to get help, seems to be implicated in the arson on her house. Meanwhile, Ellen sends a postcard to tell her aunt she is coming to see her because she is now on her own, and a series of men start to help Ellen in what, to a modern reader, seems rather creepy - even in the 1960s there were warnings about not to get into cars with strange men, for example.
I won't say much more about the plot, but other characters do appear, especially Otto an eight year old child prodigy who is an expert tracker, animal trapper, knife thrower and tree climber, having apparently taught himself those things. There is also a rather entertaining talking crow called Richard who is Otto's pet. Otto has been raised by a resourceful older woman who he now persists in believing is his mother although she has tried to tell him otherwise, after she found him wandering in the woods near her house when he was a toddler. She wants Otto to go with Ellen on her journey to Aunt Sarah's, as she thinks Sarah will adopt him and wean him off this idea about his mother and also break a rather destructive habit . The two children are menaced on their journey by the force behind the robber and other sinister men.
Probably because of the age of the children, and the period when this was written, the relationship between them is just simple uncomplicated friendship. Although Ellen is quite forward thinking and a planner, the story does conform in some ways to 1960s ideas of appropriate roles for boys and girls: the boy is the active one who is more capable physically and the girl is the one who injures herself and holds them up. However, she also can't be controlled in the way that most other people, including Otto, turn out to be later in the story.
I enjoyed the book on the whole but unanswered questions piled up by the ending, such as, if the crown has the effect it is shown to have at the end of the story on the evil force behind everything, then why was that force not affected whenever Ellen wore her crown - which at one point, left on her own with a sprained ankle for days, she does for hours at a time. At the very least, those whom she meets later (avoiding spoilers) should perhaps comment in puzzlement that this force has been zoning out and not giving orders for long periods of time recently. Also, I expected that there would be an explanation for Otto's origin, and that we might find out that Ellen's family somehow survived - she seems to get over her multiple bereavement very rapidly. The denoument of the story, which requires a third character to somehow evade hot pursuit and return to the very heart of the villains' hideout - when access to that was shown to involve authorised personnel touching a handplate and there were other perils as well - was a bit weak.
I've also read, since finishing the book, that there were apparently two endings in the American edition. The version I read was published in the UK and involves only a short postscript which explains who sent the crown to Ellen, but the whole issue of how the villains found out she had it is left open. On the whole, the build up to the story is stronger than the actual resolution and for that reason my rating balances out at 3 stars.
May 21, 2017
This book was surprisingly creepy for a kids' book with a little girl in a crown on the cover. Although, I don't know what I expected from the author of The Rats of NIMH.
It had plot elements that reminded me of The Mysterious Benedict Society, but fundamentally the comparison that I think is most accurate is to The Princess and the Goblin. This book continually hit notes that made me think of Curdie and Princess Irene. I think The Silver Crown is a bit less of a masterwork, mostly because of resolution issues (it was done too fast and not well enough), but if you like George MacDonald I suspect you would like this.
It had plot elements that reminded me of The Mysterious Benedict Society, but fundamentally the comparison that I think is most accurate is to The Princess and the Goblin. This book continually hit notes that made me think of Curdie and Princess Irene. I think The Silver Crown is a bit less of a masterwork, mostly because of resolution issues (it was done too fast and not well enough), but if you like George MacDonald I suspect you would like this.
May 7, 2024
Not my favorite genre of book but I really enjoyed this one
August 21, 2015
I can't decide what I think about this book; hence, the equivocal star rating. I fondly remember my third grade teacher reading this book to us at the end of each school day, but can't remember any other details from that time, other than that the crown and a sense of adventure.
Having read it again, I'm not sure it's suitable for elementary-age children! The protagonist's house burns down and her family is presumed dead -- triple homicide. Ellen is suddenly on her own. Then she gets into a car with a creepy stranger. She witnesses a robbery and a shooting, then has to make a run for it with only a sandwich and less than $1.50 in her pocket (this was 1968, when you could get more than a candy bar for that). She runs into a boy who steals, who takes Ellen to his "mother," who is thankfully a kindly old lady.
Then the boy and Ellen take off through the woods ALONE to hike to Kentucky. But Ellen hurts herself, so they have to hole up in a cave. So now they're facing running out of food (not quite starvation) while Ellen recovers. Then the boy disappears into the creepy castle-thing, so Ellen decides to save him. Which leads to a whole bunch of adventures, including jail, drugging a jailer, conspiracies, an evil king, an sentient orb-thing, and brain-washed children who commit heinous crimes.
But LO! The police arrive and things turn out okay. Her parents and siblings are alive and well. And her aunt shacks up with the mountain man and his dog in her giant house.
So here's what we end up with: arson, murder, race riots, jail, drugs, physical and emotional trauma, food deprivation, robbery, and stranger danger. Among other things. Ellen is a very brave little girl, but she's going to need some serious therapy in the years to come.
Having read it again, I'm not sure it's suitable for elementary-age children! The protagonist's house burns down and her family is presumed dead -- triple homicide. Ellen is suddenly on her own. Then she gets into a car with a creepy stranger. She witnesses a robbery and a shooting, then has to make a run for it with only a sandwich and less than $1.50 in her pocket (this was 1968, when you could get more than a candy bar for that). She runs into a boy who steals, who takes Ellen to his "mother," who is thankfully a kindly old lady.
Then the boy and Ellen take off through the woods ALONE to hike to Kentucky. But Ellen hurts herself, so they have to hole up in a cave. So now they're facing running out of food (not quite starvation) while Ellen recovers. Then the boy disappears into the creepy castle-thing, so Ellen decides to save him. Which leads to a whole bunch of adventures, including jail, drugging a jailer, conspiracies, an evil king, an sentient orb-thing, and brain-washed children who commit heinous crimes.
But LO! The police arrive and things turn out okay. Her parents and siblings are alive and well. And her aunt shacks up with the mountain man and his dog in her giant house.
So here's what we end up with: arson, murder, race riots, jail, drugs, physical and emotional trauma, food deprivation, robbery, and stranger danger. Among other things. Ellen is a very brave little girl, but she's going to need some serious therapy in the years to come.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2010
Review posted at RomancingThePage.com by Laura Lynn:
http://www.romancingthepage.com/2010/...
My kids and I recently read “The Silver Crown” by Robert C. O’Brien and loved it. Intended for kids 8 and older, “The Silver Crown” is the story of Ellen who wakes up on her tenth birthday to find a silver crown on her pillow.
As Ellen already believes she is a queen, she takes the gift in stride and proudly wears it to the park. Events from that moment on are not what she expects. Her house burns down, she witnesses a crime and she sets off on foot to find her Aunt Sara.
The story follows Ellen as she makes friends with a boy named Otto and heads off on a hero’s quest. We see her go from a silly girl who imagines herself in a palace, sitting on a throne, to a real queen responsible for the well being of an entire castle.
There are many reasons to enjoy this story. Ellen is vulnerable and likeable, so you really root for her to find Aunt Sara. Otto is spunky and in true hero’s quest form, guides Ellen towards her destiny. The adults shown in the book fall into two categories, those who are nice and will help you, and those who are evil and you must avoid. If only things were that simple.
As a caution, some of the content may not be suitable for young kids who easily get nightmares. Ellen does encounter an adult who tries to hurt her, so parents should be aware of that content.
“The Silver Crown” was enjoyed by my family, and in fact my son wanted to read it again. If you are looking for a solid story with a happy ending and empowering message, this book will fit the bill
http://www.romancingthepage.com/2010/...
My kids and I recently read “The Silver Crown” by Robert C. O’Brien and loved it. Intended for kids 8 and older, “The Silver Crown” is the story of Ellen who wakes up on her tenth birthday to find a silver crown on her pillow.
As Ellen already believes she is a queen, she takes the gift in stride and proudly wears it to the park. Events from that moment on are not what she expects. Her house burns down, she witnesses a crime and she sets off on foot to find her Aunt Sara.
The story follows Ellen as she makes friends with a boy named Otto and heads off on a hero’s quest. We see her go from a silly girl who imagines herself in a palace, sitting on a throne, to a real queen responsible for the well being of an entire castle.
There are many reasons to enjoy this story. Ellen is vulnerable and likeable, so you really root for her to find Aunt Sara. Otto is spunky and in true hero’s quest form, guides Ellen towards her destiny. The adults shown in the book fall into two categories, those who are nice and will help you, and those who are evil and you must avoid. If only things were that simple.
As a caution, some of the content may not be suitable for young kids who easily get nightmares. Ellen does encounter an adult who tries to hurt her, so parents should be aware of that content.
“The Silver Crown” was enjoyed by my family, and in fact my son wanted to read it again. If you are looking for a solid story with a happy ending and empowering message, this book will fit the bill
January 5, 2023
I remember reading this. There was a book fair in middle school. I think this book may have had some of that middle school book fair buzz. I got it, but I don't remember reading much during that time period. Then, later that day, week, something, I was playing a soccer game - a grade up but still small - and, there, a huge, yellow cleat crashed down on the top of my ankle. It's funny, how I tried to stand couple times, confused at first at why I couldn't put weight on it and falling. Pain came. I sat down on the field. Then, I'm sitting in the backseat our car, the tacky grey-leather seat of the silver 1996 Toyota 4Runner, and there next to me, "The Silver Crown," and time...time on the road, time at the hospital.
And, I read, and read, and read. And I loved it, and do not have to remember to remember that I took it in like fresh air. To advocate for spontaneous moments like this would be, well, I won't. But, while sowing fields reap our food, I wouldn't dare stand in the way of these magic, unplanned hours of reading, or disprove their meaning. Only that we cannot plan for them, but, perhaps, have our hearts ready to do both. One flows like the wind through fingers in the pasture, the other builds sails that allow the wind to take us out to sea. Perhaps as age takes us on into our adult years, we must let ourselves be the sails; that we may feel the wind again if only for the joy of it.
Book Fairs. Book Fairs. From "Eager," to the bookmark from Lord of The Rings. Book Fairs.
And, I read, and read, and read. And I loved it, and do not have to remember to remember that I took it in like fresh air. To advocate for spontaneous moments like this would be, well, I won't. But, while sowing fields reap our food, I wouldn't dare stand in the way of these magic, unplanned hours of reading, or disprove their meaning. Only that we cannot plan for them, but, perhaps, have our hearts ready to do both. One flows like the wind through fingers in the pasture, the other builds sails that allow the wind to take us out to sea. Perhaps as age takes us on into our adult years, we must let ourselves be the sails; that we may feel the wind again if only for the joy of it.
Book Fairs. Book Fairs. From "Eager," to the bookmark from Lord of The Rings. Book Fairs.
April 23, 2024
a reread from my childhood it’s so deliciously gothic, I see why I am what I am now
June 8, 2024
Fascinating. The author wrote Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (which I’ve always loved), and I’ve never read anything else by the author. I don’t know what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it! 😆🤩 It feels like a cross between a fairytale and a thriller, a little bit reminiscent of George MacDonald’s The Princess and the Goblin, though not entirely.
I really enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed it.
May 28, 2021
You could ask my family how many times I said some variation of "This is a dark book" in the first 100 pages. It isn't that the book got 'lighter' after that, but I just stopped commenting on it.
So, heavy themes at the beginning for what I think is a 'children's' book, or middle reader ages: murder, loss of family, loss of home, kidnapping, being chased, abandonment - all revolving around a 10 year old, much of it on her 10th birthday! Yikes! But Ellen is a peculiar child and is very calm and matter of fact about it all.
I liked the first half of the book the best. Even the part in the castle was okay. The ending was a little weak, but was also interesting in that this edition of the book contains two endings: one for the US printing and one for the British printing. The British version is very concise and just leaves all the big questions except one in the "What I don't understand...." realm. The US version has a long-winded this-is-what-I-think-happened explanation for all the questions except the one that was answered in the British version; that question is left in 'shrug' status. The biggest question of "What's it all for?" is left for the reader to explore.
Otto is a particularly likable character. Ellen is, in her way, too, but felt a little flat to me.
This was published when I was 11 years old, but I don't remember ever hearing about it until someone I follow on Instagram mentioned it a few weeks ago.
Children's books aren't what they used to be.
Content warnings mentioned above, plus mind-control, arson, pleasure in evil deeds, disregard for life.
So, heavy themes at the beginning for what I think is a 'children's' book, or middle reader ages: murder, loss of family, loss of home, kidnapping, being chased, abandonment - all revolving around a 10 year old, much of it on her 10th birthday! Yikes! But Ellen is a peculiar child and is very calm and matter of fact about it all.
I liked the first half of the book the best. Even the part in the castle was okay. The ending was a little weak, but was also interesting in that this edition of the book contains two endings: one for the US printing and one for the British printing. The British version is very concise and just leaves all the big questions except one in the "What I don't understand...." realm. The US version has a long-winded this-is-what-I-think-happened explanation for all the questions except the one that was answered in the British version; that question is left in 'shrug' status. The biggest question of "What's it all for?" is left for the reader to explore.
Otto is a particularly likable character. Ellen is, in her way, too, but felt a little flat to me.
This was published when I was 11 years old, but I don't remember ever hearing about it until someone I follow on Instagram mentioned it a few weeks ago.
Children's books aren't what they used to be.
Content warnings mentioned above, plus mind-control, arson, pleasure in evil deeds, disregard for life.
February 19, 2012
This book started out strong, but trailed off into an only moderately satisfying conclusion, and also a rather tangled concluding chapter (and alternate concluding chapter) which suggested that the author hadn't thought up any real justification for why the silver crown appears in the first place.
Very unusual for a children's story, with the plot involving but not actually exploring terrorism/random violence, and wobbling between magic and SF.
Very unusual for a children's story, with the plot involving but not actually exploring terrorism/random violence, and wobbling between magic and SF.
April 2, 2016
In spite of careful planning, and excellent writing, the ending just doesn't work. My copy contains both the American ending (much longer and very convoluted) and the more precise and acceptable British ending. However the last 30% of this book just can't live up to the brilliance of the first 70%.
Still a fascinating adventure for children to read. One that should cause them to think about what they might do in a bevy of difficult situations. For that alone, I recommend it.
Still a fascinating adventure for children to read. One that should cause them to think about what they might do in a bevy of difficult situations. For that alone, I recommend it.
February 15, 2008
I love this book so much. I first read it when I was ten years old, and it is still one of my favorite books today. Although it is a little strange, it is an excellent and exciting story.
January 27, 2018
The story is crazy and a bit unbelievable at times. However, this is coming from an adult perspective and not from the recommended age group (8-12). I don’t think they’d notice or think to question half of the points that bothered me. My main complaint for that age would be that at times it was a bit slow. It was written a while ago, so that could explain it.
When I was young I remember enjoying Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH quite a bit. I think I would’ve enjoyed this too.
It’s Ellen’s 10th birthday and she wakes up and finds a crown on her bed. Naturally, this just confirms what she’d always knows, and what only her aunt really ever believed and didn’t only pretend to believe – that she’s a queen.
The worst part is that there are two endings offered which give two different reasons for the crown being there.
A bunch of impossible, unexplainable occurrences happen to Ellen.
Her house burns down and no none but her, who went outside before, survive.
When I was young I remember enjoying Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH quite a bit. I think I would’ve enjoyed this too.
It’s Ellen’s 10th birthday and she wakes up and finds a crown on her bed. Naturally, this just confirms what she’d always knows, and what only her aunt really ever believed and didn’t only pretend to believe – that she’s a queen.
The worst part is that there are two endings offered which give two different reasons for the crown being there.
A bunch of impossible, unexplainable occurrences happen to Ellen.
Her house burns down and no none but her, who went outside before, survive.
January 4, 2022
Hi my names lily,
and i’m gonna tell you a story. This story is about a girl. a passionate girl who take you through such a story that makes me wanna cry every time i read it. my mum tecvmomed this book to me, she said she used to love it and read it lots. i didn’t think i would read it more then once but i have read it almost 4 times within 3 years of knowing the book. the story is about ellen who revives a mysterious crown. the fact ellen’s house burnt down sends us down a lane that makes us emotional. the clues around the text such as the green jumpers, robot uber driver and more really helps add to the book, and makes it more inticing to read. when i first read the book it gave me a sensation of fear along with happiness. when ellen hears the bang in ottos house, i imminently thought it was over, it’ still sends shivers down my spine the way robert described the shot sound. and don’t get me started on the school that otto got placed too, with the robots and creepy kids. it’s been a year since i have read it so my minds a bit rusty on the storyline. ill never forget when it all added up. everyone wanted ellen’s crown, i couldn’t belive when the fat man came back in the end. i love this book. the scariest part was when everyone thought otto turned on ellen but he really was under a spell ( i cant exactly rember how she found out.) anyways that’s all. i would love a sequel
and i’m gonna tell you a story. This story is about a girl. a passionate girl who take you through such a story that makes me wanna cry every time i read it. my mum tecvmomed this book to me, she said she used to love it and read it lots. i didn’t think i would read it more then once but i have read it almost 4 times within 3 years of knowing the book. the story is about ellen who revives a mysterious crown. the fact ellen’s house burnt down sends us down a lane that makes us emotional. the clues around the text such as the green jumpers, robot uber driver and more really helps add to the book, and makes it more inticing to read. when i first read the book it gave me a sensation of fear along with happiness. when ellen hears the bang in ottos house, i imminently thought it was over, it’ still sends shivers down my spine the way robert described the shot sound. and don’t get me started on the school that otto got placed too, with the robots and creepy kids. it’s been a year since i have read it so my minds a bit rusty on the storyline. ill never forget when it all added up. everyone wanted ellen’s crown, i couldn’t belive when the fat man came back in the end. i love this book. the scariest part was when everyone thought otto turned on ellen but he really was under a spell ( i cant exactly rember how she found out.) anyways that’s all. i would love a sequel
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2026
This was good, but odd... it was very little to do with crowns, silver or otherwise, and involved a lot of traveling on foot by a 10 and 8 year old. For all that, it was very direct, not a lot of whimsy or ambiance, but certainly had a style befitting juvenile lit from the 60's. I both liked and didn't like the sci-fi twist at the end, but that was certainly a theme for that time period and this fits well within that theme. I also appreciated the alternate ending for the UK version more than the one for the US, so if you read it, tell me which one you liked more and why. Overall, I recommend this as a near-classic. It had excellent pacing from the first line, none of this faffing around setting up moods, frictions, and troubled backgrounds, etc. It just jumped right in! And it was clean, unless you, too, consider "belly" to be crude and vulgar. :)
February 19, 2023
STORY TIME!
When I was young, maybe first grade, I grabbed this book from the library because of the pretty cover and the crown. I started reading it, but it gave me horrific nightmares, and my parents had to take it away from me, so I never finished it. And now, I finally got to see how it ended. TAKE THAT ROBERT C O'BRIEN!!!
I will say this book is intense for children (kidnapping, murder, arson, running away from men with guns), so it's no wonder it scared me so badly. And also, the plot was pretty stupid and didn't make much sense.
When I was young, maybe first grade, I grabbed this book from the library because of the pretty cover and the crown. I started reading it, but it gave me horrific nightmares, and my parents had to take it away from me, so I never finished it. And now, I finally got to see how it ended. TAKE THAT ROBERT C O'BRIEN!!!
I will say this book is intense for children (kidnapping, murder, arson, running away from men with guns), so it's no wonder it scared me so badly. And also, the plot was pretty stupid and didn't make much sense.
Read
August 30, 2023This book terrified me as a child. Yet I still read it at least twice.
August 17, 2026
j’avais un souvenir très flou de la première lecture que j’avais faite du haut de mes 10 ans, et bien c’est normal car ce récit est un fever dream sans aucun sens, j’ai pas du tout accroché
September 29, 2025
most unbelievable part of this story about a ten year old girl with a crown that controls a machine a monk built is that she could buy a loaf of bread for 25 cents
also series of unfortunate events vibe?
also series of unfortunate events vibe?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2016
4.5 stars
The Silver Crown by Robert C. O'Brien is one of my favorite childhood books. I remember reading it on more than one occasion growing up, and I think it spurred my early love for novels about secret societies. The story follows a girl named Ellen. When she wakes up on the morning of her 10th birthday, she finds a silver crown by her bed. Assuming it is a gift, she places it on her head and goes for a walk outside since the rest of her family is still sleeping. Ellen returns home from her walk to discover that her house burned down and her entire family was killed in the fire. The Silver Crown follows Ellen as she attempts to find her Aunt Sarah in the wake of this tragedy.
I was happy to discover that I still really enjoyed The Silver Crown as an adult. While reading, it is important to keep in mind that this is a children's novel written in 1968. Some parts of the book may not translate as well in the 21st Century because of new technology and new ways of life, and other parts are clearly written for a young audience. For example, while Ellen faces a lot of challenges in the book, things sometimes work out a bit too conveniently for her. This would annoy me in an adult novel, but it makes sense in a children's book. So long as you have this framework in mind, the book becomes more enjoyable for adult readers.
In the same way, I had a lot of fun discovering what parts of The Silver Crown I forgot, and even parts I remembered incorrectly! My favorite aspect of this book is the amazing story. The urban fantasy aspect is a lot of fun, and I think it's amazing that a 10-year-old girl is our brave protagonist. The writing flows well, and I don't find the ending predictable at all. The Silver Crown is a great mix of adventure and seriousness.
The only part of the book I find I bit weak is the last chapter. This part includes a big information dump all from one character. That being said, my edition of the book also includes an alternate ending that was published in the British edition. I absolutely love this alternate ending, so I decided to take a half-star off my total rating for the original last chapter I did not like.
All in all, I'm so glad I reread The Silver Crown. It is still one of my favorite books, and I highly recommend picking it up no matter your age. The sense of adventure is a ton of fun, and there is something for everyone in the story.
The Silver Crown by Robert C. O'Brien is one of my favorite childhood books. I remember reading it on more than one occasion growing up, and I think it spurred my early love for novels about secret societies. The story follows a girl named Ellen. When she wakes up on the morning of her 10th birthday, she finds a silver crown by her bed. Assuming it is a gift, she places it on her head and goes for a walk outside since the rest of her family is still sleeping. Ellen returns home from her walk to discover that her house burned down and her entire family was killed in the fire. The Silver Crown follows Ellen as she attempts to find her Aunt Sarah in the wake of this tragedy.
I was happy to discover that I still really enjoyed The Silver Crown as an adult. While reading, it is important to keep in mind that this is a children's novel written in 1968. Some parts of the book may not translate as well in the 21st Century because of new technology and new ways of life, and other parts are clearly written for a young audience. For example, while Ellen faces a lot of challenges in the book, things sometimes work out a bit too conveniently for her. This would annoy me in an adult novel, but it makes sense in a children's book. So long as you have this framework in mind, the book becomes more enjoyable for adult readers.
In the same way, I had a lot of fun discovering what parts of The Silver Crown I forgot, and even parts I remembered incorrectly! My favorite aspect of this book is the amazing story. The urban fantasy aspect is a lot of fun, and I think it's amazing that a 10-year-old girl is our brave protagonist. The writing flows well, and I don't find the ending predictable at all. The Silver Crown is a great mix of adventure and seriousness.
The only part of the book I find I bit weak is the last chapter. This part includes a big information dump all from one character. That being said, my edition of the book also includes an alternate ending that was published in the British edition. I absolutely love this alternate ending, so I decided to take a half-star off my total rating for the original last chapter I did not like.
All in all, I'm so glad I reread The Silver Crown. It is still one of my favorite books, and I highly recommend picking it up no matter your age. The sense of adventure is a ton of fun, and there is something for everyone in the story.
January 6, 2019
4.5 stars but putting it at 5 because for its nostalgia.
So this is one of those books I read once as a kid and spent the next twenty-odd years of my life thinking I loved it. As such I was a little nervous to reread in adulthood lest the story not hold up like it did when I was little. If anything, rather than holding up, it exceeds expectation.
On Ellen’s tenth birthday she wakes up to find a silver fabric crown on her pillow. Ellen, assuming it’s a gift, takes the crown and wanders off to play at holding court before her parents wake up. When she comes home, she finds her house is up in flames and her family have all perished.
Ellen’s course of action is to go to stay at her aunt’s house many days travel from her own. On the way she meets an amazing cast of distinct characters, some serious hardship to put a ten year old through and unearths a secret that ties to her crown.
All in all I remembered this story as being dark, but I was shocked upon reading again quite how dark it got! I mean, brutal things happen to and in front of this kid and the journey she makes is definitely not an easy one. Since it’s a fairly old book now (1968 I believe? Around the 70s anyway) there’s a few throwaway mentions of things that don’t exactly hold up as... politically correct in the modern age, shall we say? Which I’m not saying is acceptable because it’s old, but also that it’s not entirely surprising because it is, in fact, old. You pretty much expect it to happen in any pre-80s and some post 80s books at some point. At least they’re very far and few between but, y’know, fair warning.
Lastly, I believe I read the American edition as a child and the British one this time as my edition now includes both endings. The British one is convoluted to the point that suspension of disbelief only runs so far so even though the American one leaves a few plot threads unanswered I would personally suggest sticking to that one.
So this is one of those books I read once as a kid and spent the next twenty-odd years of my life thinking I loved it. As such I was a little nervous to reread in adulthood lest the story not hold up like it did when I was little. If anything, rather than holding up, it exceeds expectation.
On Ellen’s tenth birthday she wakes up to find a silver fabric crown on her pillow. Ellen, assuming it’s a gift, takes the crown and wanders off to play at holding court before her parents wake up. When she comes home, she finds her house is up in flames and her family have all perished.
Ellen’s course of action is to go to stay at her aunt’s house many days travel from her own. On the way she meets an amazing cast of distinct characters, some serious hardship to put a ten year old through and unearths a secret that ties to her crown.
All in all I remembered this story as being dark, but I was shocked upon reading again quite how dark it got! I mean, brutal things happen to and in front of this kid and the journey she makes is definitely not an easy one. Since it’s a fairly old book now (1968 I believe? Around the 70s anyway) there’s a few throwaway mentions of things that don’t exactly hold up as... politically correct in the modern age, shall we say? Which I’m not saying is acceptable because it’s old, but also that it’s not entirely surprising because it is, in fact, old. You pretty much expect it to happen in any pre-80s and some post 80s books at some point. At least they’re very far and few between but, y’know, fair warning.
Lastly, I believe I read the American edition as a child and the British one this time as my edition now includes both endings. The British one is convoluted to the point that suspension of disbelief only runs so far so even though the American one leaves a few plot threads unanswered I would personally suggest sticking to that one.
April 15, 2021
This book was written in the 70s so there’s still gonna be some bias and some racism in it. And the violence was crazy. But I do recall reading this as a child and finding the adventure chilling but also amazing. Having always wanted to be royalty myself I would’ve loved to of woken up to a crown on my pillow on my birthday. Of course I would’ve preferred not to have been chased by the evil villain with the black crown whose sole purpose was to take over the whole world. But the adventure with Ellen and Otto made the story worth re-reading. And I will say that I prefer the alternate ending at the end of the book.
Spoilers below
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.
.
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-I’m surprised that for a re-printed book there was no rewrite of the reference to a Chinaman which is literally three paragraphs and so unnecessary that I found it unsatisfactory that they couldn’t fix this. My edition is from 2001.
-The violence in this book starts off right away with Ellen‘s house being set on fire and she thinks her whole family has died in the fire. Then she witnesses the murder of a store manager and finds out later that Officer Drogue, who tried to help her was also murdered by the villain’s minions. And then you have to consider Otto who’s been hiding the “danger” sign on a road to cause truck accidents. Yes he’s a child and yes he’s got a few issues dealing with abandonment but this was a weird plot point. Yes again this book was written in the 70s but it is so violent that at the school Ellen finds the boys are making Molotov cocktails, setting fires to buildings, practicing beating police officers by beating fake dummies, and instigating race riots, looting and violence in the cities. Seriously this does not sound like a children’s book.
I still grow up with this book. And so for nostalgia I gave it four stars, but does it hold up to today’s standards? No I don’t think so. It is not a book I would recommend to a child but I would likely enjoy discussing it with other adults who have read it.
Spoilers below
.
.
.
.
-I’m surprised that for a re-printed book there was no rewrite of the reference to a Chinaman which is literally three paragraphs and so unnecessary that I found it unsatisfactory that they couldn’t fix this. My edition is from 2001.
-The violence in this book starts off right away with Ellen‘s house being set on fire and she thinks her whole family has died in the fire. Then she witnesses the murder of a store manager and finds out later that Officer Drogue, who tried to help her was also murdered by the villain’s minions. And then you have to consider Otto who’s been hiding the “danger” sign on a road to cause truck accidents. Yes he’s a child and yes he’s got a few issues dealing with abandonment but this was a weird plot point. Yes again this book was written in the 70s but it is so violent that at the school Ellen finds the boys are making Molotov cocktails, setting fires to buildings, practicing beating police officers by beating fake dummies, and instigating race riots, looting and violence in the cities. Seriously this does not sound like a children’s book.
I still grow up with this book. And so for nostalgia I gave it four stars, but does it hold up to today’s standards? No I don’t think so. It is not a book I would recommend to a child but I would likely enjoy discussing it with other adults who have read it.
May 31, 2022
Rated PG.
I really wanted to like this book! The problem was that, by the end, it couldn't decide whether it was trying to be fantasy, science fiction, or realistic fiction. (And it it's not realistic fiction.) The biggest disappointment was the last chapter--both versions! Because they tried to be too realistic, when the rest of the book was walking a fine line on suspended disbelief. Honestly, The Silver Crown reminds me of A Wrinkle in Time with fewer plot threads woven in and more holes. And a far more unsatisfying explanation of evil and wrongdoing. O'Brien did a decent job until the last chapter or so painting a fantastical tale of a mysterious silver crown that brought with it strength ... and a string of disasters, stalkers, and terrifying running from kidnappers. And then O'Brien had to try to logically explain it somehow, which ended up smashing my suspension of disbelief into shards. Because the explanation presented ultimately tried to drag a fantasy straight into the real world or very close to it, but the cause/effect of the silver crown in the first few chapters -- not to speak of things like the hypnotic black castle and the silver/black crown power struggle -- doesn't work in the "real world," Kentucky or no Kentucky.
I really wanted to like this book! The problem was that, by the end, it couldn't decide whether it was trying to be fantasy, science fiction, or realistic fiction. (And it it's not realistic fiction.) The biggest disappointment was the last chapter--both versions! Because they tried to be too realistic, when the rest of the book was walking a fine line on suspended disbelief. Honestly, The Silver Crown reminds me of A Wrinkle in Time with fewer plot threads woven in and more holes. And a far more unsatisfying explanation of evil and wrongdoing. O'Brien did a decent job until the last chapter or so painting a fantastical tale of a mysterious silver crown that brought with it strength ... and a string of disasters, stalkers, and terrifying running from kidnappers. And then O'Brien had to try to logically explain it somehow, which ended up smashing my suspension of disbelief into shards. Because the explanation presented ultimately tried to drag a fantasy straight into the real world or very close to it, but the cause/effect of the silver crown in the first few chapters -- not to speak of things like the hypnotic black castle and the silver/black crown power struggle -- doesn't work in the "real world," Kentucky or no Kentucky.
December 19, 2024
My rating system
1 star- book was so bad I couldn’t even get into it (because why would anyone actually finish a one star or 2 star book? Life is too short)
2 stars- Book was good enough I made it to the halfway point but the author did not keep me interested
3 stars- I finished the book, but only because I wanted to find out what happened and was not necessarily enjoying the ride.
4 stars- I finished and enjoyed the book.
5 stars- I finished the book and really felt something. The book impacted my life in some real way, or changed my perspective and/or motivated me to do or change something in my life.
The twists and turns!
The character growth!
The friendships!
The bravery, the children being so smart and planning what clever scemes to survive!
Every person they met along the way had an impact on me. Although the prose was that of a children’s book—relatively simple and straightforward—it is the way the author builds the story, relationships and characters that knocks this book out of the park.
The violence in the beginning bothered me but I had a similar experience with Coraline—the creepy disturbing stuff made me realize later it was all part of what made an amazing story.
Jenny was my favorite!! This is the kind of book that hooks kids on reading (if they can handle the violence in the beginning). I, for one, thinks it’s worth it and will read this with my kids around 11-12 years old. I M so impressed.
1 star- book was so bad I couldn’t even get into it (because why would anyone actually finish a one star or 2 star book? Life is too short)
2 stars- Book was good enough I made it to the halfway point but the author did not keep me interested
3 stars- I finished the book, but only because I wanted to find out what happened and was not necessarily enjoying the ride.
4 stars- I finished and enjoyed the book.
5 stars- I finished the book and really felt something. The book impacted my life in some real way, or changed my perspective and/or motivated me to do or change something in my life.
The twists and turns!
The character growth!
The friendships!
The bravery, the children being so smart and planning what clever scemes to survive!
Every person they met along the way had an impact on me. Although the prose was that of a children’s book—relatively simple and straightforward—it is the way the author builds the story, relationships and characters that knocks this book out of the park.
The violence in the beginning bothered me but I had a similar experience with Coraline—the creepy disturbing stuff made me realize later it was all part of what made an amazing story.
Jenny was my favorite!! This is the kind of book that hooks kids on reading (if they can handle the violence in the beginning). I, for one, thinks it’s worth it and will read this with my kids around 11-12 years old. I M so impressed.
January 7, 2023
I was made aware of this book after listening to a podcast episode discussing the film adaptation of The Secret of Nihm (https://www.thefearofgodpodcast.com/b...). The book being a childhood favorite, I decided to revisit it in 2022. Unaware of whether the author had penned other works I decided to do a search. The minute I saw The Silver Crown come up in my feed I knew I needed to buy it.
It’s a simple story with complex themes, which should come as no surprise to those familiar with the stark social commentary driving The Secret of Nihm. All the same characteristics are on display here with many parallels in plot and theme, beginning with trading a magic amulet for a magic crown. The journey itself, framed as it is by this young girls (Ellen) desperate attempt to find her aunt following the tragic events of a fire which open the story, leads her deep into an unfolding mystery of world shaping importance. Along the way she will learn important truths about both how the world works and her place in it. The ending (track down the version with the alternative British ending) cleverly tables some interesting moral questions as well, bringing together these larger themes regarding human nature.
It’s a charming and wholly compelling literary work that fits nicely alongside the great childhood adventure stories of years past.
It’s a simple story with complex themes, which should come as no surprise to those familiar with the stark social commentary driving The Secret of Nihm. All the same characteristics are on display here with many parallels in plot and theme, beginning with trading a magic amulet for a magic crown. The journey itself, framed as it is by this young girls (Ellen) desperate attempt to find her aunt following the tragic events of a fire which open the story, leads her deep into an unfolding mystery of world shaping importance. Along the way she will learn important truths about both how the world works and her place in it. The ending (track down the version with the alternative British ending) cleverly tables some interesting moral questions as well, bringing together these larger themes regarding human nature.
It’s a charming and wholly compelling literary work that fits nicely alongside the great childhood adventure stories of years past.
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