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Kidnapped
In a specially adapted version for young readers by Deborah Kestel.
A boy leaves his childhood home and finds adventure, treachery and friendship. He meets the best and worst of mankind... thieves, pirates and courageous Highland clansmen. Kidnapped aboard a ship, he must endure the dangers of the high seas. He escapes to find himself accused of murder, running across the Scottish highlands for his life, sometimes only steps ahead of the Redcoats and a noose.
A boy leaves his childhood home and finds adventure, treachery and friendship. He meets the best and worst of mankind... thieves, pirates and courageous Highland clansmen. Kidnapped aboard a ship, he must endure the dangers of the high seas. He escapes to find himself accused of murder, running across the Scottish highlands for his life, sometimes only steps ahead of the Redcoats and a noose.
237 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
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284 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 10, 2024
4.25 ⭐
GENRE - FICTION / KIDS CLASSIC / DRAMA.
Kidnapped is the story of David Balfour, a lad of 17, who after the death of his parents leaves home carrying with him a letter of introduction from his father to his uncle.
On reaching his uncles home, Ebenezer Balfour who was mean and wicked and wished to deprive David of his rightful share in the family property gets young David Kidnapped and sent to the Carolinas to be sold as slave.
Fortunately, the ship that was used to deport David to the Carolinas was wrecked and David somehow manages to return after a series of hair raising adventures to claim his share in the property.
Thank you ✌
GENRE - FICTION / KIDS CLASSIC / DRAMA.
Kidnapped is the story of David Balfour, a lad of 17, who after the death of his parents leaves home carrying with him a letter of introduction from his father to his uncle.
On reaching his uncles home, Ebenezer Balfour who was mean and wicked and wished to deprive David of his rightful share in the family property gets young David Kidnapped and sent to the Carolinas to be sold as slave.
Fortunately, the ship that was used to deport David to the Carolinas was wrecked and David somehow manages to return after a series of hair raising adventures to claim his share in the property.
Thank you ✌
January 26, 2016
Moderately enjoyable...but nothing special.
October 2, 2025
I knew nothing about this book when I started it, but most of the plot went as I expected. I like the abridged Great Illustrated Classic format, because the story flew fast and had a picture on every page. I read this with my daughter, but the story isn’t 100% toddler friendly and I had to explain many parts.
May 15, 2021
THIS EDITION
I laid my hands on a "Great Illustrated Classics" edition of Kidnapped ...
Offo... goosebumps ...
When I was that small when I read it, I just wanted to have an Alan to have such dark adventures with ... like some girls ( I have read & heard, not met) want to have a prince to wed ...
I laid my hands on a "Great Illustrated Classics" edition of Kidnapped ...
Offo... goosebumps ...
When I was that small when I read it, I just wanted to have an Alan to have such dark adventures with ... like some girls ( I have read & heard, not met) want to have a prince to wed ...
February 6, 2022
"Hoots! Small blame to ye! To be afraid of a thing and yet to do it is what makes the prettiest kind of a man." - 💯 pg 154
"Eh, man," said I, teasing him, "you're very smart. But wouldn't it be simpler to write a note?"
"Yes, Mr. Balfour of Shaws, but it would be a job for John Breck to read it. He would have to go to school for two or three years, and we might get tired waiting for him." - 🤣 pg 164
Adventure, fast paced and with a sense of humour. What's not to like about a book that has these. I'm so thankful and grateful for the time I have now to be able to enjoy reading the way I used to. If anyone would listen to me, I would always say, "When you have a book, you're never lonely and you're never alone. And you can be anywhere and everywhere." ❤
"Eh, man," said I, teasing him, "you're very smart. But wouldn't it be simpler to write a note?"
"Yes, Mr. Balfour of Shaws, but it would be a job for John Breck to read it. He would have to go to school for two or three years, and we might get tired waiting for him." - 🤣 pg 164
Adventure, fast paced and with a sense of humour. What's not to like about a book that has these. I'm so thankful and grateful for the time I have now to be able to enjoy reading the way I used to. If anyone would listen to me, I would always say, "When you have a book, you're never lonely and you're never alone. And you can be anywhere and everywhere." ❤
November 3, 2021
Just because this is a classic, doesn't mean everyone will love it. I'm one of those. This abridged version was terrible, and I only hope the actual tale doesn't end as abruptly as this one did. There was no satisfactory ending. It was long and drawn out, too, and I wanted to hurl it away several times. I hope to enjoy other RLS novels.
June 18, 2020
I don't like to read abridged books, but I read this book and it was appropriate for her age. Although, I don't think that she would have given it much higher of a score than 2 or 3. She understood it, but it really was not that interesting of exciting for her.
December 9, 2024
It's been a while since I've read a nineteenth century book, and I quite enjoyed the adventure and even the challenge of decoding some of the English (and Scottish and Latin). A fun adventure story. I understand there are a couple more books with the same protagonist, and I might look for them!
January 8, 2019
Simple story but with a lot of adventure!!
September 21, 2021
Good and short book.
December 19, 2022
It has short chapters and the book was sad. I think it was Alan and David and they both said goodbye.
January 12, 2023
I give it 3 stars, my seven year old gives it 5+, we’ll call it a composite 4.
May 1, 2021
I should've read the print which said this was a revised version for younger readers. Oops. I guess it was okay.
October 7, 2016
this is not the best abridged version if this story
July 5, 2013
Book Review: Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson
Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson is a book which discusses about the life of a boy, “David” and his adventures on the ship “Convenant” and with his friend Alan Stewart on the land of Campbells.
This story teaches us a lesson that one is never truly trustable. For instance, David trusted many people but the same people brought him danger. Even his friend Alan who helped him most of the times got him into trouble.
It even discusses about “David’s parents and his uncle’s(Mr. Ebenzer) relationship”. His father and uncle both loved David’s mother and at last the made a deal. David’s Father married David’s Mother and David’s Uncle kept the whole ancestral house of Shaws.
But David’s Uncle never respected the House of Shaws and it was left in ruins.
It is a beautifully crafted story where initially Uncle Ebenzer refused to keep David owing to his hatred towards the holy alliance of his parents whereas later he had soft corner for David after hearing his news of being kidnapped.
Lesson of the Story: We should never trust someone blindfolded. On Regular intervals, we should keep a check on our relationships. This will help us to choose right friends to live a serene life.
Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson is a book which discusses about the life of a boy, “David” and his adventures on the ship “Convenant” and with his friend Alan Stewart on the land of Campbells.
This story teaches us a lesson that one is never truly trustable. For instance, David trusted many people but the same people brought him danger. Even his friend Alan who helped him most of the times got him into trouble.
It even discusses about “David’s parents and his uncle’s(Mr. Ebenzer) relationship”. His father and uncle both loved David’s mother and at last the made a deal. David’s Father married David’s Mother and David’s Uncle kept the whole ancestral house of Shaws.
But David’s Uncle never respected the House of Shaws and it was left in ruins.
It is a beautifully crafted story where initially Uncle Ebenzer refused to keep David owing to his hatred towards the holy alliance of his parents whereas later he had soft corner for David after hearing his news of being kidnapped.
Lesson of the Story: We should never trust someone blindfolded. On Regular intervals, we should keep a check on our relationships. This will help us to choose right friends to live a serene life.
November 30, 2014
After David Balfour is cheated out of his inheritance by his uncle, he is kidnapped aboard a ship. He escapes, only to find himself wrongly accused of murder. David encounters many many hardships on his journey to safety.
This story is written long in the past, so some of the language and terms used can be confusing. Overall, though, it is a good, well - written book.
This story is written long in the past, so some of the language and terms used can be confusing. Overall, though, it is a good, well - written book.
February 9, 2015
David goes to live with is evil uncle. One day they go to the docks and while the are observing a ship David is Kadnapped and sold to the ship by his uncle. One night a weird man finds his way to the ship. David goes to talk with him and overhears some of the sailer talking about muddering The man. David goes the the man and tells him about the plot. They fight their way through the sailors. While this is happening they get trough off the ship. David and the man get to shore and the man is called Alan. David and Alan are charged with Murdder and they are now running from the britsh army. They are trying to get back to their home where David's uncle lives. When they got back the play a trick to get back the house that their uncle lives in. They get the house from their uncle. and now David lives there.
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January 16, 2013I thought the story was an interesting one at that. It starts of with a young man's father die and leave a will for him that it turns out he has a different name and owns a house in a different city. He meets his uncle there which was a grumpy old man. The uncle then tricks the young lad into getting on to a boat which was a trade his uncle set up they sell him away for a bag of money. While in the voyage he meets people who help threw out the voyage. He manages to escape and meets a guy who helps out in his journey. He decides that he should hire a lawyer, when he does they plan out on how to get the house to belong to him back into his ownership. Long story short Uncle go bye bye, and the house is his.
March 28, 2014
Pretty interesting, if you want a quick kick of action in your day. The plot itself is simple but still convoluted because you're reading a narrative written by a guy who can't seem to introduce his characters and is almost always whining..
Maybe this is just me, but the guy is horrendously childish.. Probably has a deeper meaning??
Maybe this is just me, but the guy is horrendously childish.. Probably has a deeper meaning??
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November 10, 2011 The uncle owns what David Balfour should own. The uncle sent off david to the sea captain. He meets Alan Breck a navy Lieutenant.
His uncle payed the captain 20 pounds. The 20 pounds are for taking David away. Do you want to know why? To take David to the Carolinas.
His uncle payed the captain 20 pounds. The 20 pounds are for taking David away. Do you want to know why? To take David to the Carolinas.
May 5, 2014
It had my attention from the start and my attention never faltered while reading it.
December 27, 2014
DULL!!!!
March 16, 2015
This was a sad classic for Parker and I. I might have skipped it if I had known. It was a good story though.
January 5, 2016
Good long book. Really enjoyed it.
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June 3, 2009JAR5-Ste
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May 25, 2011I think I read this book.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews