Popinjay Stairs

by Geoffrey Trease

Book by Trease, Geoffrey

Genres: Historical Fiction

174 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Robert Geoffrey Trease (1909-1998) was a prolific writer, publishing 113 books between 1934 (Bows Against the Barons) and 1997 (Cloak for a Spy). His work has been translated into 20 languages. His grandfather was a historian, and was one of the main influences towards Trease's work.

He is best known for writing children's historical novels, whose content reflects his insistence on historically correct backgrounds, which he meticulously researched. However, with his ground-breaking study Tales Out of School (1949), he was also a pioneer of the idea that children's literature should be a serious subject for study and debate. When he began his career, his radical viewpoint was a change from the conventional and often jingoistic tone of most children's literature of the time, and he was one of the first authors who deliberately set out to appeal to both boys and girls and to feature strong leading characters of both sexes.

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good read if you like adventure stories.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked up this book, I couldn't tell much about it except it was an adventure novel set in 1673. What caught my attention as I flipped through it was that one of the characters was none other than Samuel Pepys, who was a high official of the British navy. He is known today more for the fact that his decade's long diary is still around. The book did not disappoint. I recommend it!

[Avril · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once more reliving my childhood. Trease wrote wonderful historical fiction for children, and since they're set in the past they don't date at all. I heartily recommend this to anyone ten years old and up interested in history.

[Kate Forsyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic children's historical novel