Robert Rows the River

by Carolyn Haywood

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Genres: Fiction, Childrens

191 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Carolyn Haywood was an American writer and illustrator from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She wrote 47 children's books, most notably the series under the "Eddie" and "Betsy" titles.

Reviews

[Eva Seyler]

This is one of (very few) Carolyn Haywood books I absolutely do not remember reading as a kid. For its time, it was nice that it was doing its part to dispel prejudice against "gypsies". The story is a low-key mystery (who stole the sailboat! surely it must be those gypsies! oops we were jerks, no it wasn't!)

Content note: Some of the kids in the book do use the word "gyppo" when talking about Robert's Romany friend, Aaron. Aaron only uses "Romanies" to refer to himself and his people, whereas everyone else uses "Gypsy". I would have been super happy if Robert had begun to say "Romany" himself, but I guess that was asking too much? Eh.

This is not my favourite Haywood book at all, even aside from the slurs. It's just somehow lacking, and I can't really lay a finger on why.

[Toni Wyatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robert lives on the Thames. He has a rowboat that he uses to go up and down and to ferry his friends across. One day, he sees a monkey in a tree and soon meets a boy named Aaron who owns the monkey and is traveling with his parents. He says they are Romanies, however, all the people in the book call them Gypsies. The book is about the friendship Robert and Aaron form, and how it is wrong to label people and make assumptions based on their way of life.

[Donna Grobey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a childhood favorite of mine. My Oma gave me a copy and I read it many times. I've saved the book all these years, and just re-read it 40+ years later!

[Hannah Pape · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Simple story, but moderately enjoyable. The author did their best to help dispel prejudice against Romany groups. It certainly was not executed perfectly, but it was something for 1965.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

We enjoy Carolyn Haywood books. The children have fun adventures (with little to no adult supervision). In this one, we enjoy the undercurrent against prejudice, the friendships made, and the happy ending.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

read with my first grade daughter. Robert's friend Aaron is a gypsy and there is discrimination amoungst some of the people in the book. We discussed that. Also the kids boating alone at age 9. lots of un upervised kid activities. A good read though, we both enjoyed it.

[Kevin Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

the first book I ever remember my mother reading to me. it involved gypsies, violins and the Thames river.

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked it