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Journey from Peppermint Street
Chronicles the occurences on a young boy's journey to visit an aunt and how these events affect his return journey and arrival at his home on Peppermint Street.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
4 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Meindert De Jong
44 books76 followersMeindert De Jong was an award-winning author of children's books. He was born in the village of Wierum, of the province of Friesland, in the Netherlands.
De Jong immigrated to the United States with his family in 1914. He attended Dutch Calvinist secondary schools and Calvin College, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and entered the University of Chicago, but left without graduating.
He held various jobs during the Great Depression, and it was at the suggestion of a local librarian that he began writing children's books. His first book The Big Goose and the Little White Duck was published in 1938.
He wrote several more books before joining the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, serving in China. After the war he resumed writing, and for several years resided in Mexico. He returned for a time to Michigan. After settling in North Carolina, he returned to Michigan for the final years of his life.
De Jong immigrated to the United States with his family in 1914. He attended Dutch Calvinist secondary schools and Calvin College, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and entered the University of Chicago, but left without graduating.
He held various jobs during the Great Depression, and it was at the suggestion of a local librarian that he began writing children's books. His first book The Big Goose and the Little White Duck was published in 1938.
He wrote several more books before joining the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, serving in China. After the war he resumed writing, and for several years resided in Mexico. He returned for a time to Michigan. After settling in North Carolina, he returned to Michigan for the final years of his life.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 15, 2020
I don't have the words. So much wisdom & insight are woven into this tale of a certain special child's unique set of adventures, some small & some dramatic, some mundane & some [P]hilosophical, over the course of an easily countable number of hours, in a setting most of us are completely unfamiliar with at the beginning but that will feel like a second home by the end. DeJong has outdone himself. I appreciated it even more the second time.
A writer would appreciate it even more, as the author is a master of language, characterization, pacing, etc.
A better review is Erica's: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I believe it to be a sort of touchstone book. If you like it too, we probably have a lot congruity in our taste in books... and vice versa. Check it out on openlibrary... especially if you want a good book to read aloud to your (about?) 7-10 year old child.
"Where the sun went down would be the marsh and the monastery in the marsh, and the frogs and the storks and the cranes and the herons, and two people walking, and nobody laughing, and everything strange, lovely-wonderful."
"'To the end of all our days.' ... It sounded like a prayer; it was as lovely as a litany."
A writer would appreciate it even more, as the author is a master of language, characterization, pacing, etc.
A better review is Erica's: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I believe it to be a sort of touchstone book. If you like it too, we probably have a lot congruity in our taste in books... and vice versa. Check it out on openlibrary... especially if you want a good book to read aloud to your (about?) 7-10 year old child.
"Where the sun went down would be the marsh and the monastery in the marsh, and the frogs and the storks and the cranes and the herons, and two people walking, and nobody laughing, and everything strange, lovely-wonderful."
"'To the end of all our days.' ... It sounded like a prayer; it was as lovely as a litany."
March 30, 2021
This book was a wonderful read! I really loved the characters and loved the miracles, the new pet and the happy ending. The author has a way of making the characters very endearing. A lovely book. I am so glad I was able to read this book online at Open Library.
August 28, 2023
It was a fine read, and I rounded it up to four stars because I thought it a really good portrayal of the sort of internal misery a child's over-active imagination can create. Disappointed that mostly it was, as the title subtly suggests, about the journey from Peppermint Street and less (though there was still some) about staying with aunt and uncle in an old monastery in an island in a swamp. Also interesting was the tornado, a nice change from the expected flooding of books set in the Netherlands....(pause while I, a suspicious reader, look up tornadoes in the Netherlands and am reassured to find they really do happen, although I am of course sad for all those affected and hope they stay away from my sister's house). Mostly though I am wondering why this won the first National Book Award for Children's Literature.
April 7, 2021
Olha, não sei se vou ler um livro melhor que este em 2021. Tem um tempo que eu disse que conseguia escrever - com imensa alegria e até facilidade - na voz de uma criança de 9-11 anos, mas que não conseguia fazer isso com crianças mais velhas (chamar adolescentes de crianças mais velhas deixa clara essa minha falta de jeito) e principalmente com crianças mais novas. Os pensamentos de uma criança de 4-6 anos? Brabo botar isso no papel. Botar, então, um seguidinho do outro pra formar um trenzinho soprando um pouco de vida ao personagem? Não sei nem como começar.
Aí me aparece este livro, que eu comprei em 2015 e só li agora. Aqui, um menino chamado Siebren, de 7 anos, me pegou pela mão e me levou por uma viagem por vilarejinhos da Holanda no começo do século XX (o autor nasceu lá e se naturalizou americano); ele vai visitar parentes na companhia deliciosa e sombria do avô. Você acredita se eu lhe disser que o autor pegou os pensamentos desse rapazinho e enfileirou todos eles de um jeito muito intenso? Funciona assim: eu adoro o vovô/tenho medo de cachorro/eu gostei desse cachorro e quero ficar com ele/o vovô é mau/não vão me deixar ficar com o cachorro/vovô gosta de mim/ah, vão, sim. É que não dá para explicar bem o triunfo do autor: como ele teceu os pensamentos desse rapaz numa teia de 250 páginas e foi tirando tanta profundidade de suas pequenas-imensas descobertas alegres-tristes. Este livro, então, não só me mostrou como fazer algo que eu não sei fazer, como virou uma ponte entre isso e aquilo que eu (acho que) sei fazer.
Foi um aprendizado e tanto: um livro magistral e, raridade!, obrigatório pra escritores (temos a obrigação de escrever textos melhores depois dele). A construção das cenas, o ritmo dos eventos, essa viagem feita à noite, sob o luar, em meio ao brilho dos vaga-lumes, e principalmente essa voz tão íntima de uma criança de 7 anos, uma voz que cola na narração em terceira pessoa e quase a deixa parecendo escrita na primeira. Meindert DeJong, um escritor muito celebrado em seu tempo e hoje jogado para escanteio mesmo nos Estados Unidos (no mundo, então, nem se fala), escreveu uma vida para seu protagonista mirim morar. Virou minha casa também.
Aí me aparece este livro, que eu comprei em 2015 e só li agora. Aqui, um menino chamado Siebren, de 7 anos, me pegou pela mão e me levou por uma viagem por vilarejinhos da Holanda no começo do século XX (o autor nasceu lá e se naturalizou americano); ele vai visitar parentes na companhia deliciosa e sombria do avô. Você acredita se eu lhe disser que o autor pegou os pensamentos desse rapazinho e enfileirou todos eles de um jeito muito intenso? Funciona assim: eu adoro o vovô/tenho medo de cachorro/eu gostei desse cachorro e quero ficar com ele/o vovô é mau/não vão me deixar ficar com o cachorro/vovô gosta de mim/ah, vão, sim. É que não dá para explicar bem o triunfo do autor: como ele teceu os pensamentos desse rapaz numa teia de 250 páginas e foi tirando tanta profundidade de suas pequenas-imensas descobertas alegres-tristes. Este livro, então, não só me mostrou como fazer algo que eu não sei fazer, como virou uma ponte entre isso e aquilo que eu (acho que) sei fazer.
Foi um aprendizado e tanto: um livro magistral e, raridade!, obrigatório pra escritores (temos a obrigação de escrever textos melhores depois dele). A construção das cenas, o ritmo dos eventos, essa viagem feita à noite, sob o luar, em meio ao brilho dos vaga-lumes, e principalmente essa voz tão íntima de uma criança de 7 anos, uma voz que cola na narração em terceira pessoa e quase a deixa parecendo escrita na primeira. Meindert DeJong, um escritor muito celebrado em seu tempo e hoje jogado para escanteio mesmo nos Estados Unidos (no mundo, então, nem se fala), escreveu uma vida para seu protagonista mirim morar. Virou minha casa também.
February 12, 2019
A curious book, this contains a lot of interior reflection on the part of Siebren, the young protagonist. We read his thoughts and his rational process as he sorts out puzzles in his head. His endearing little boy inside comes through in his interactions with some of the adults (mainly, but not exclusively, the women). The story is slow moving, with occasional bursts of excitement. It addresses the concept of reality and fantasy, rumors, fears, miracles, and more.
Set near the author's hometown, it gives a vivid description of a time past, before electricity and telephones connected distant (or even not-so-distant) places. The action takes place in the early 1900s, so this is well after the Netherlands of Hans Brinker but much closer to that of Hilda van Stockum's A Day on Skates: The Story of a Dutch Picnic. It is interesting to see how the times change (or don't change) things and Siebren's concerns are both refreshingly simple, but also very serious. The Van Stockum book concerns itself with frolicking children and their activities in a more populous village, while this is about one child interacting with adults in a lonesome place of twilight and darkness.
The uncommon thoughtfulness puts this in the same league as some of the books of Eleanor Estes (such as Ginger Pye). There's a little lost dog aspect to this book as well. That De Jong is looking back on the time of his childhood after a half century or more allows for a modern approach to be applied to the story of an earlier time.
Set near the author's hometown, it gives a vivid description of a time past, before electricity and telephones connected distant (or even not-so-distant) places. The action takes place in the early 1900s, so this is well after the Netherlands of Hans Brinker but much closer to that of Hilda van Stockum's A Day on Skates: The Story of a Dutch Picnic. It is interesting to see how the times change (or don't change) things and Siebren's concerns are both refreshingly simple, but also very serious. The Van Stockum book concerns itself with frolicking children and their activities in a more populous village, while this is about one child interacting with adults in a lonesome place of twilight and darkness.
The uncommon thoughtfulness puts this in the same league as some of the books of Eleanor Estes (such as Ginger Pye). There's a little lost dog aspect to this book as well. That De Jong is looking back on the time of his childhood after a half century or more allows for a modern approach to be applied to the story of an earlier time.
January 28, 2025
I read this book when I was about 10 years old, and it either shaped the way I look at the world, or confirmed how I look at the world - that it is better to be good.
February 18, 2009
I love Meindert DeJong's writing. This is my second DeJong book. He wrote mostly children's literature (which is my favorite). I was first attracted to this book by the title, but knowing the author and reading the summary, I knew I wanted to read it. Since it is out of print, my sister pulled through with a copy that she found on line and gave to me for my birthday. It is about a little boy who has to spend much of his time taking care of his little brother and has little time left to be a child. One day his Grandfather takes him on a "journey" to see his great-aunt and along the way he experiences childhood pleasures and grown-up problems. I love how DeJong understands children and completely captures the way they think and learn. I also love his writing style...here is a quote from the book:
"He took his good hand and placed it in Grandfather's hand, and together they walked toward the turning mill. Where the sun went down would be the marsh and the monastery in the marsh, and the frogs and the storks and the cranes and the herons, and two people walking, and nobody laughing, and everything strange, lovely-wonderful."
"He took his good hand and placed it in Grandfather's hand, and together they walked toward the turning mill. Where the sun went down would be the marsh and the monastery in the marsh, and the frogs and the storks and the cranes and the herons, and two people walking, and nobody laughing, and everything strange, lovely-wonderful."
May 12, 2025
We all enjoyed this. He does such a masterful job recapturing the travails and joys of childhood. He also writes characters with various handicaps and acknowledges how that’s confusing for children while showing a way to connect with people who are different than you are. Truly a gem. The pacing was somewhat sporadic, but that’s just a minor quibble.
June 4, 2022
Not quite as endearing as DeJong’s The Wheel on the School, but still a sweet, charming story. Young Siebren takes a journey with his grandfather to visit some relatives and while he is the only child in the story (unlike the school of children in DeJong’s Newbery Medal winner), the people, and dogs, and frog (!) he meets on his adventure provide a wonderful ensemble cast.
September 26, 2023
This is an excellent choice to read aloud to children ages 4 to 9. Each event that happens is small, but with significance to the young boy, and also to the young reader (listener). Traveling along with Siebren and his grandfather on the path to his aunt's house, we get so completely caught up in his delight about such things as finding - and getting to keep - a ball, that the extremely dramatic last quarter of the book and then the miraculous ending brings an exultant joy.
I am not spoiling it to tell you this, because I've left out all details, and you will very likely have forgotten it in the minutiae of the departure, the lumber pile, the stray dog, the tea shop, the frog in the well, etc.
(I read this almost 20 years ago, when I first started as a children's librarian, although long after it was originally published.)
I liked it better than The Wheel on the School, but certainly both are masterpieces of sensitivity to the child-like wonder in small things, and the careful attention children pay to the tiny things they notice.
If you are a parent observing your own child as she or he is amazed by the world around him or her, I believe you both will enjoy reading this together.
I am not spoiling it to tell you this, because I've left out all details, and you will very likely have forgotten it in the minutiae of the departure, the lumber pile, the stray dog, the tea shop, the frog in the well, etc.
(I read this almost 20 years ago, when I first started as a children's librarian, although long after it was originally published.)
I liked it better than The Wheel on the School, but certainly both are masterpieces of sensitivity to the child-like wonder in small things, and the careful attention children pay to the tiny things they notice.
If you are a parent observing your own child as she or he is amazed by the world around him or her, I believe you both will enjoy reading this together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2007
This is my favorite book from my childhood. I read it in fifth grade. The writing is so vivid that I fondly remembered scenes from the book thirteen years later. It's out of print now, but I recently read it again and still think it's wonderful. It is written from the point of view of a young boy and while his experiences are told in a childish manner, adults can still relate to the physical pain and emotional turmoil he experiences in the story.
February 20, 2020
I enjoyed the story and the childish perspective from which it was told. Siebren thinks like a nine year old, and as he travels away from home for the first time, he is learning to understand the world with each passing experience. I loved the winsome spirit of his Aunt Hinka and Uncle Siebren. They are the kind of grown-ups that I want to be.
Two reasons for a four star review rather than five:
First - the writing dragged on at times. It was definitely the author's choice, and the story was well-written, but I have never had the patience for that type of writing.
Second - The book talked a lot about being a "handball of Satan" and of miracles, and even spoke of church and the Bible, but did not mention God once. That troubles me in a book that I would pass on to children. I don't want them to buy into the idea that we can have all of those other things and live a good life while overlooking God.
Two reasons for a four star review rather than five:
First - the writing dragged on at times. It was definitely the author's choice, and the story was well-written, but I have never had the patience for that type of writing.
Second - The book talked a lot about being a "handball of Satan" and of miracles, and even spoke of church and the Bible, but did not mention God once. That troubles me in a book that I would pass on to children. I don't want them to buy into the idea that we can have all of those other things and live a good life while overlooking God.
January 10, 2019
My dear, late aunt bought this book for us a very long time ago. I finally got around to reading it. It takes place in the early 1900's in Holland. It is the story of a 10 year-old boy who has never left his home village as he travels inland with his grandfather to visit his great aunts.
While the book won several awards (including a Newberry), I am mixed about how good it is. The descriptions of Dutch life are very fascinating. However, the internal states of the boy take away from the story. He is far too maudlin about too many things. I don't think we see the boy qua boy, but as an adult would have us think a boy thinks.
While the book won several awards (including a Newberry), I am mixed about how good it is. The descriptions of Dutch life are very fascinating. However, the internal states of the boy take away from the story. He is far too maudlin about too many things. I don't think we see the boy qua boy, but as an adult would have us think a boy thinks.
August 11, 2022
I loved this book, except for all the gushing about miracles at the end. De Jong is one of those rare and wonderful writers who can express deep wisdom and insight with a few simple words. I doubt that my kids would like it very much, though. They would probably think it’s too boring, especially at the beginning.
December 31, 2022
I read this book when i was young and it is one of the books I have remebered it since.
Seibren is a young boy who goes on a journey with his grandfather. The reader sees everything through his vibrant imagination. It's wonderful!
Seibren is a young boy who goes on a journey with his grandfather. The reader sees everything through his vibrant imagination. It's wonderful!
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April 2, 2022Great
January 11, 2013
Journey from Peppermint street is an adventure story set in the Netherlands. It's a pretty religious little book, and that threw me for a loop. The book could be divided into three sections: Luck, superstition and miracles. God and good ol' Satan, triumph over all three sections, which is too bad. I like my adventure stories to be more on the magical side of things. This adventure was on the opposite end of that spectrum, I thought; On the psychological realism side.
The setting was great, the bouncy ball that saves Grandpa from the marshes my favorite, the folklore delightfully bizarre and obscure ('The handball of Satan' (you do not want to be a handball of satan)) and there were even a few one-liners that I especially loved: "You don't actually think I'd hit a crippled dog, do you?" -Grandpa -- Though, I don't actually think DeJong meant for that piece of dialogue to be funny. Sorry, DeJong. It was funny. I laughed. Other than that, the book dragged and lagged and I had trouble finishing it. The writing was really clunky, and the characters were half-hearted in their motivations and inconstant in their affections. This is my first DeJong book and I don't know if I'll pick up another.
The setting was great, the bouncy ball that saves Grandpa from the marshes my favorite, the folklore delightfully bizarre and obscure ('The handball of Satan' (you do not want to be a handball of satan)) and there were even a few one-liners that I especially loved: "You don't actually think I'd hit a crippled dog, do you?" -Grandpa -- Though, I don't actually think DeJong meant for that piece of dialogue to be funny. Sorry, DeJong. It was funny. I laughed. Other than that, the book dragged and lagged and I had trouble finishing it. The writing was really clunky, and the characters were half-hearted in their motivations and inconstant in their affections. This is my first DeJong book and I don't know if I'll pick up another.
December 30, 2014
This gentle coming-of-age story still resonates with me more than 40 years after I first read it. Siebren goes with his grandfather on a great adventure - walking across the marshes to visit Aunt Hinka. Siebren has never left his small village, and we feel his excitement and apprehension as he passes the last house on the outskirts of the town.
Filled with wonder, fear and courage, Journey from Peppermint Street is a delightful book for younger readers.
Filled with wonder, fear and courage, Journey from Peppermint Street is a delightful book for younger readers.
Read
February 9, 2009JAR5-DeJ
July 16, 2014
I kept it, but I don't remember particularly loving it. But that cut thumb made a visceral impression.
May 24, 2021
Not sure why I re-read this. The writing just feels clunky and dated.
May 15, 2016
If I could give this book ten stars I would. Meindert De Jong knows just how a child thinks. I don't think I have read a book of his that I didn't love.
January 21, 2017
We see the mind of a child in a bygone era.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews