I'd like to introduce or reintroduce you fine folks to perhaps one of the finest books ever penned. This book stirred my pre-teen imagination like none other before. I was lucky to have ordered this "juvenile mystery" in 1972, as one of my choices in the reading program known as "The Weekly Reader". If memory serves correct maybe once a month or perhaps every quarter we were given a 4 or 5 page catalog with various paperback book choices.
Old School readers were still genuinely disheartened with the "Paperback Book" rebellion. Being New School I surely didn't mind helping flame the cause. I could put this book in my back pocket and take it to the top of a tree and read away. It traveled with me everywhere I traveled.
The Weekly Reader program was well received in 1972.
I still remember the excitement of pondering the catalog and feverishly hoping that "My" picks were not to be outdone by other classmates. Making the right choice carried with it certain bragging rights which led to the hope that another student would ask to borrow my book when I was finished. Sometimes I would hold out until they foamed at the mouth, or maybe make a collateral trade until my book was safely home.
Over a year ago I began an exhaustive search for my copy. My memory and I have had some serious communication issues recently and my search was futile. Local used bookstore searches also ended in disappointment. I was desperately searching for "The" book memory from my pre-teen years.
My mother soon reminded me of the "inter-library" loan program and after visiting our local library I hit paydirt. There was one copy within the State of Oklahoma library system and my trials soon turned to gold.
By the way, if you happen to have a copy of "Sinbad and Me" by Kin Platt you have gold in your hands.
Being out of print a paperback copy sells for $70 on E-Bay. It remains a favorite of many a reader young and old. It's author had a varied career and there has been a huge call for his works to be reprinted.
ps. Good news! A revisit to the Kin Platt link above states that all of his books will see a new printing.....
16 comments:
im first
as you may or may not know, i am forbidden to access aunt josephina's blog. that stinks. now, about your book. first i'd like to say, thanks for sharing, and i will look for it to have Dyl read it. And I will tell him, Uncle joe read it, so you have to also. and then, in your first little part there, you said "fine" about 900 times. your such a master linguist, i thought you'd want to know. and yes, i'll be honest, i got in there and commented first, and then read the post. no sense in lying when the truth will do just "fine" eh?
Gosh SBDQZ it was only three times! You exaggerate to the 9th degree!! :o)
Fine! He will change it!
Tomorrow
That's a great idea. I should write a book about my first dog, Sinbad, and me.
i'm writing a book called: taking over the world for dummies.
closely followed by a book about my childhood cat. me and pickles
i am writing a book:
Living with Batman
An Adventure Everyday
If you still had your copy from 1972, would you sell it on Ebay for $70? Now there's a conundrum.
what a well worded sililoquy you have here joe. i hope you get lots of comments. :o)
I've never heard of that book. It must be good if it made such an impact on you. Since you're into Seinfeld (my family is too) I suppose you like the episode about Jerry's very overdue library book.
Now you should start scouring garage sales in search of the book. You never know...you just might find it.
Wow, weekly readers! I remember those! (Although in 72 I was a few years away from existing yet, lol!) I am glad you found it. I typically forget the names of books and authors I read before. Makes finding them almost impossible.
Now that brings back some pleasant memories. I loved those things.
Oh yeah! Another great book, that isn't well known, is The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet. That sounds like a book written by The Beatles, now. But it's awesome! And no hallucinogenic drugs were used in the making of it!
I'm so glad you posted about this book. Since I'm homeschooling I'm always looking for things to fill our "library".
i heard your comp might be down. and maybe thats why you havne't posted in so long? i hope it's nothing serious. i'm a skeered fer ya
DON'T GET HIM HOOKED ON SATURDAY MORNING GARAGE SALES NOW!! WHEN WOULD YOU GO TO WAL-MART?
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