The Scarecrow and His Servant

by Philip Pullman

Other authorsPeter Bailey (Illustrator)
Paperback, 2007

Status

Available

Call number

PB Pul

Call number

PB Pul

Local notes

PB Pul

Barcode

1577

Genres

Publication

Yearling (2007), Edition: Reprint, 240 pages

Description

A scarecrow and his boy servant, Jack, set off on a dangerous adventure as they try to outwit the crooked Buffaloni family and stake their claim to valuable Spring Valley.

Language

Original language

English

Physical description

240 p.; 5.25 inches

User reviews

LibraryThing member tututhefirst
One of the most fun reads I've done in years. Although advertised as juvenile fiction, this is a humorous, sophisticated, story with appeal to all ages. If the adult in you won't let you read a child's book for yourself, find a youngun' and start reading. The wee one will not let you put it down.
LibraryThing member Prop2gether
This is a delightful read for children and adults. A lightning strike brings Mr. Pandolfo's scarecrow to life (and Lord Scarecrow has been moved several times to other fields) and he sets off to find his home. Along the way, he recruits Jack, a young lad, as his servant. Jack proves to be brave and
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resourceful. Both characters are brave when they need to be; clever when required; and all ends well in this fantasy. Highly recommended for readers of all ages.
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LibraryThing member ChrisRiesbeck
An entertaining kid fantasy, reminiscent of Lloyd Alexander's early books for young readers. The child, Jack, is much more mature than the child-like "adults, and the Scarecrow is frighteningly naive, but pure of heart. As in His Dark Materials, Pullman has no qualms about also aiming some sharp
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Swiftian volleys at the military, law, and big business.
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LibraryThing member yarmando
Cute story, excellently performed by Graeme Malcolm. Lord Scarecrow is a somewhat quixotic figure, and Jack is a great "straight man" in the comedy. The British accents are a bit strange in a story with such an obvious Italian setting, but these episodic adventures are fun to listen to.
LibraryThing member Boog726
This story is about a boy named Jack and how he becomes the scarecrow's servant and their adventures.
LibraryThing member macfly_17
This is the entertaining story of a scarecrow who comes to life when struck by lightning and his faitful servant Jack. Prior to coming to life the scarecrow had been removed from his loving master's field. Since his master passed away the scarecrow was to inherit his land. This charming story takes
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Jack and the scarecrow through many adventures before they reach the inherited land.
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LibraryThing member Ardwick
Pleasant children's story about a scarecrow that comes to life and recruits a homeless lad to be his servant. They have a variety of adventures with the servant often saying the right thing to get them what they want.
LibraryThing member AlexStella
This book is about a scarecrow coming to life because a lightning bolt struck him. Funny and dangerous things happen on the scarecrow and his servant, Jack, a young boy who has nothing to do but starve, as they are on their way to Spring Valley. Along the way, there's no end of real excitement-
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battle, shipwrecks, tricksters and brigands, it's time for Jack to save the day!
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LibraryThing member cyderry
This book reminds me of The Wizard of Oz but rather than Dorothy trying to find her way back to Kansas and Auntie Em, the Scarecrow is trying to find his way to Spring Valley where he is supposedly the owner of all the land. The story starts out with the miraculous tale of how the Scarecrow comes
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to life and follows his adventures with his "servant" Jack, an orphaned boy who figures that he can't do any worse than starve to death.

It is a delightful, whimsical story which shows how perseverance and goodness will triumph over adversity.
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LibraryThing member johnlobe
The Scarecrow and His Servant has been appropriately compared to Don Quixote. The story maintains a wonderful, timeless feel and manages to play with fairytale conventions in clever ways. The two main characters are charming as are the inked illustrations.
LibraryThing member sderby
With shades of Candide, this story follows a smart little boy and his brainless turnip-headed scarecrow master on their travels.
LibraryThing member Smiler69
An amusing short story about a scarecrow with a turnip for a head who magically comes to life and takes on a poor boy as his servant. The two embark on wild adventures, with the scarecrow falling in love with a broomstick then having his heart broken, taking part in a play (he is cast as a 'prop'
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but doesn't understand that a prop is not meant to move or speak, to funny effect), a bird steals the scarecrows brain (a pea) which doesn't seem to make much difference, they end up on a desert island, then battling in a war, and finally being involved in a court case to determine who will have the rights to the property the scarecrow was first placed on. The storytelling is filled with humour and quite amusing, but I felt that it was quite a scattered tale, and the scarecrow certainly makes for a very strange, if amusing protagonist. Great narration by Graeme Malcolm on the audio version.
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LibraryThing member VikkiLaw
a delightful, whimsical story. his adventures remind me of don quixote.
LibraryThing member TeresaCruz
I listened to this story on audiobook, which was new for me to do. The story was tedious at times, but ultimately it was good. I don't think I'd read or listen to it again though.
LibraryThing member themulhern
You can't really miss with Philip Pullman. This is a short and relatively simple tale about a very noble scarecrow who comes alive and the savvy orphan boy who joins him on his adventures. A sort of Don Quixote story, but there is a happy, non-delusional ending.
LibraryThing member Salsabrarian
Narrated by Graeme Malcolm. Scarecrow comes to life when he is hit by a lightning bolt. He ventures from the muddy field where he's stood to find Spring Valley, the place that is written on Scarecrow's heart, and meets young orphaned Jack who agrees to become his servant. Where Scarecrow is naive
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and enthusiastic, Jack serves as the voice of reason. Their adventures include battling soldiers, appearing in a play and joining an army. However, hot on their trail is the Buffaloni family. The profit-hungry Buffalonis have built factories in Spring Valley that are impacting the town's water and quality of life and they know that hidden inside Scarecrow is a will that deeds certain Spring Valley land. The story culminates in a trial that determines who owns the land. A warm, funny story about faith and friendship.
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Pages

240

Rating

½ (99 ratings; 3.7)
Page: 0.9324 seconds