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The Silver Crown
Ellen awakens one morning with a mysterious silver crown on the pillow beside her. What magic powers it possesses she has not yet discovered, but the sudden changes in her life are unmistakable: her house is burned down, her family has disappeared, and a man in a dark uniform is stalking her. Can Ellen ever find her family? Can she use the power of the silver crown to thwart the powers of darkness? What diabolical force hides inside the mysterious castle in the woods?
322 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
About the author
Robert C. O'Brien
17 books240 followersRobert Leslie Conly (better known by his pen name, Robert C. O'Brien) was an American author and journalist for National Geographic Magazine. His daughter is author Jane Leslie Conly.
For more complete information on this author, please see:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...
For more complete information on this author, please see:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 353 reviews
April 6, 2020
This book haunted my childhood memories for years, a mysterious specter, the title of which I couldn't recall. What incomplete details I had retained eventually proved adequate for discovery on the internet. Once I identified the text, it lingered in my unconscious until I happened to be in the juvenile fiction section of the public library one day in my mid 30s. Browsing an aisle, I turned around and saw the title on the spine before me, a spooky beacon of serendipity, as I had not been looking for it.
I checked it out, read it to my son, and got to relive the experience. It does fall short of great fantasy, largely due to insubstantial resolutions. With a shared world similar to though less distinct than J. K. Rowling's dichotomy of wizards and muggles, the story demanded more rational conclusions to what it proposed. Aside from the disappointing ending, this story was one of my first glimpses into fantasy and abstract concepts of time, freedom, telepathy, sanity, and, subliminally, technology's role in human development. It also dealt with death and misery in a way I had never encountered in a children's tale. The Silver Crown certainly nurtured a burgeoning philosophical curiosity on my young psyche and O'Brien deserves credit for that.
I checked it out, read it to my son, and got to relive the experience. It does fall short of great fantasy, largely due to insubstantial resolutions. With a shared world similar to though less distinct than J. K. Rowling's dichotomy of wizards and muggles, the story demanded more rational conclusions to what it proposed. Aside from the disappointing ending, this story was one of my first glimpses into fantasy and abstract concepts of time, freedom, telepathy, sanity, and, subliminally, technology's role in human development. It also dealt with death and misery in a way I had never encountered in a children's tale. The Silver Crown certainly nurtured a burgeoning philosophical curiosity on my young psyche and O'Brien deserves credit for that.
February 3, 2013
Why am I giving this book 5 stars? Because, quite simply...thirty years after first reading it, I still think about it.
It made that great of an impression on me. I didn't understand all the words and I couldn't even pronounce a bunch of them but, every once in a while, I think of that little girl when she puts the crown on her head and she BECOMES a queen.
That's all. A grown-up rememberance of a children's book. I'll never forget it.
Five stars for staying power.
It made that great of an impression on me. I didn't understand all the words and I couldn't even pronounce a bunch of them but, every once in a while, I think of that little girl when she puts the crown on her head and she BECOMES a queen.
That's all. A grown-up rememberance of a children's book. I'll never forget it.
Five stars for staying power.
July 10, 2014
I dunno about other readers that have read this story, but I thought The Silver Crown was scary! The main character’s house gets mysteriously burned down, her family killed, a creepy man stalks her, ( minor spoilers??? -->) Nobody can help them either, not even the police! Surely I can’t be the only one who finds this so terribly disturbing? Still, I absolutely loved this story. The creepy plot is exciting, the characters are lovable, the chapters are short and sweet, and that ending was precious. <3
Ellen and Otto were fantastic characters. Ellen is a very down-to-earth type of girl and Otto is very much a typical boy. XD I liked how they both interacted with each other and how they worked as a team. I found their teamwork pretty inspiring to be honest.
I thought it was funny whenever Ellen would tell Otto something he said was vulgar too. She’s actually pretty motherly. *laughs* Btw, was ‘belly’ really a vulgar word back in the sixties?
Ellen and Otto were fantastic characters. Ellen is a very down-to-earth type of girl and Otto is very much a typical boy. XD I liked how they both interacted with each other and how they worked as a team. I found their teamwork pretty inspiring to be honest.
I thought it was funny whenever Ellen would tell Otto something he said was vulgar too. She’s actually pretty motherly. *laughs* Btw, was ‘belly’ really a vulgar word back in the sixties?
December 6, 2010
Vivid memories of the effect this book had on me when my teacher Mrs Leish read this to us in grade four - and finding the edition I had then, a photo-realist painting of Ellen wearing the silver crown itself, her blue eyes unblinking as she enters into a trance - made me dare to read it again.
Let's face it, going back to your taste in grade four often is a big no-no.
I choreographed a dance to "angel in the centrefold" around that time. I studied ballet in the sense it was compulsory at my genteel school and I hated and sucked at it, the fat myopic girl in the back row.
I loved Mighty Isis. Need I go on?
So expected this book to pall but couldn't resist the seduction of the excitement I felt as each installment was read, standing behind Mrs Leish and massaging her shoulders (a favored task we all vied for, despite her dandruff).
It's still pacy and brutal, with kind adults that turn up at the right time to balance the horrible assassins and hunters that are trying to capture the children and the crown. I can now clearly finger Robert C. O'Brien and Russell Hoban as the architects of my love of arcana, a gnostic sense of the universe as likely to fuck you at any time (thanks, Demi-urge), and the seductive power of the quest, particularly with lots of detail about survival skills and self-sufficient children. OK, My Side of the Mountain might have to take the blame as well.
Still, the invocation of secret, evil knowledge, crazy self-aware machines made by monks invoking 'Hieronymus', mind-controlling stones etc is gibberish, pure and simple. Appealingly simple for ten-year-olds, who even then if I remember rightly, let the lameness slide a bit. Learning how to "deadfall" trap squirrels, throw knives and beat the bad guys will compensate for almost any McGuffin.
Let's face it, going back to your taste in grade four often is a big no-no.
I choreographed a dance to "angel in the centrefold" around that time. I studied ballet in the sense it was compulsory at my genteel school and I hated and sucked at it, the fat myopic girl in the back row.
I loved Mighty Isis. Need I go on?
So expected this book to pall but couldn't resist the seduction of the excitement I felt as each installment was read, standing behind Mrs Leish and massaging her shoulders (a favored task we all vied for, despite her dandruff).
It's still pacy and brutal, with kind adults that turn up at the right time to balance the horrible assassins and hunters that are trying to capture the children and the crown. I can now clearly finger Robert C. O'Brien and Russell Hoban as the architects of my love of arcana, a gnostic sense of the universe as likely to fuck you at any time (thanks, Demi-urge), and the seductive power of the quest, particularly with lots of detail about survival skills and self-sufficient children. OK, My Side of the Mountain might have to take the blame as well.
Still, the invocation of secret, evil knowledge, crazy self-aware machines made by monks invoking 'Hieronymus', mind-controlling stones etc is gibberish, pure and simple. Appealingly simple for ten-year-olds, who even then if I remember rightly, let the lameness slide a bit. Learning how to "deadfall" trap squirrels, throw knives and beat the bad guys will compensate for almost any McGuffin.
December 11, 2012
Going through some old assignments, I discovered an old book report I wrote on this book when I was about twelve years old. Here is an excerpt-
The Silver Crown is one of the best books I have read. The descriptions used by the author were stunning in that they transported you there, following after Ellen as she went on her journey. Ellen is a very strong heroine. She still makes her share of mistakes, and she is someone almost anyone would want for a friend. I first borrowed this book from the library, but I ended up checking it out 4 times to reread. Finally I bought it, and have not regretted doing so. Every time I read it, I find something new and different. It seems so real that when I go hiking, I always check above the trees for the black malignite walls of the Dark Castle, or the glittering opening of the quartzite cave.
The Silver Crown is one of the best books I have read. The descriptions used by the author were stunning in that they transported you there, following after Ellen as she went on her journey. Ellen is a very strong heroine. She still makes her share of mistakes, and she is someone almost anyone would want for a friend. I first borrowed this book from the library, but I ended up checking it out 4 times to reread. Finally I bought it, and have not regretted doing so. Every time I read it, I find something new and different. It seems so real that when I go hiking, I always check above the trees for the black malignite walls of the Dark Castle, or the glittering opening of the quartzite cave.
August 25, 2018
An interesting fantasy for children written in the late 1960s. Ellen wakes up on her tenth birthday and finds a silver crown on her pillow; a crown made of material which can be folded (which becomes relevant later when she has to carry it with her long distances and eventually hide it). An imaginative child, she decides to go for a walk to the local park and play at being a queen there as she often does. She thinks the crown might have come from her Aunt Sarah who is the only adult she knows who doesn't just pretend to believe Ellen is a queen: she says she is and means it.
While at the park, Sarah tries on the crown and it has the effect of making her calm and clear minded, something she needs shortly afterwards when she discovers that her family have apparently all died in a mysterious fire while she was out playing. And shortly afterwards, a robber in a green hood, who murders a shopkeeper and a policeman from whom she was trying to get help, seems to be implicated in the arson on her house. Meanwhile, Ellen sends a postcard to tell her aunt she is coming to see her because she is now on her own, and a series of men start to help Ellen in what, to a modern reader, seems rather creepy - even in the 1960s there were warnings about not to get into cars with strange men, for example.
I won't say much more about the plot, but other characters do appear, especially Otto an eight year old child prodigy who is an expert tracker, animal trapper, knife thrower and tree climber, having apparently taught himself those things. There is also a rather entertaining talking crow called Richard who is Otto's pet. Otto has been raised by a resourceful older woman who he now persists in believing is his mother although she has tried to tell him otherwise, after she found him wandering in the woods near her house when he was a toddler. She wants Otto to go with Ellen on her journey to Aunt Sarah's, as she thinks Sarah will adopt him and wean him off this idea about his mother and also break a rather destructive habit . The two children are menaced on their journey by the force behind the robber and other sinister men.
Probably because of the age of the children, and the period when this was written, the relationship between them is just simple uncomplicated friendship. Although Ellen is quite forward thinking and a planner, the story does conform in some ways to 1960s ideas of appropriate roles for boys and girls: the boy is the active one who is more capable physically and the girl is the one who injures herself and holds them up. However, she also can't be controlled in the way that most other people, including Otto, turn out to be later in the story.
I enjoyed the book on the whole but unanswered questions piled up by the ending, such as, if the crown has the effect it is shown to have at the end of the story on the evil force behind everything, then why was that force not affected whenever Ellen wore her crown - which at one point, left on her own with a sprained ankle for days, she does for hours at a time. At the very least, those whom she meets later (avoiding spoilers) should perhaps comment in puzzlement that this force has been zoning out and not giving orders for long periods of time recently. Also, I expected that there would be an explanation for Otto's origin, and that we might find out that Ellen's family somehow survived - she seems to get over her multiple bereavement very rapidly. The denoument of the story, which requires a third character to somehow evade hot pursuit and return to the very heart of the villains' hideout - when access to that was shown to involve authorised personnel touching a handplate and there were other perils as well - was a bit weak.
I've also read, since finishing the book, that there were apparently two endings in the American edition. The version I read was published in the UK and involves only a short postscript which explains who sent the crown to Ellen, but the whole issue of how the villains found out she had it is left open. On the whole, the build up to the story is stronger than the actual resolution and for that reason my rating balances out at 3 stars.
While at the park, Sarah tries on the crown and it has the effect of making her calm and clear minded, something she needs shortly afterwards when she discovers that her family have apparently all died in a mysterious fire while she was out playing. And shortly afterwards, a robber in a green hood, who murders a shopkeeper and a policeman from whom she was trying to get help, seems to be implicated in the arson on her house. Meanwhile, Ellen sends a postcard to tell her aunt she is coming to see her because she is now on her own, and a series of men start to help Ellen in what, to a modern reader, seems rather creepy - even in the 1960s there were warnings about not to get into cars with strange men, for example.
I won't say much more about the plot, but other characters do appear, especially Otto an eight year old child prodigy who is an expert tracker, animal trapper, knife thrower and tree climber, having apparently taught himself those things. There is also a rather entertaining talking crow called Richard who is Otto's pet. Otto has been raised by a resourceful older woman who he now persists in believing is his mother although she has tried to tell him otherwise, after she found him wandering in the woods near her house when he was a toddler. She wants Otto to go with Ellen on her journey to Aunt Sarah's, as she thinks Sarah will adopt him and wean him off this idea about his mother and also break a rather destructive habit . The two children are menaced on their journey by the force behind the robber and other sinister men.
Probably because of the age of the children, and the period when this was written, the relationship between them is just simple uncomplicated friendship. Although Ellen is quite forward thinking and a planner, the story does conform in some ways to 1960s ideas of appropriate roles for boys and girls: the boy is the active one who is more capable physically and the girl is the one who injures herself and holds them up. However, she also can't be controlled in the way that most other people, including Otto, turn out to be later in the story.
I enjoyed the book on the whole but unanswered questions piled up by the ending, such as, if the crown has the effect it is shown to have at the end of the story on the evil force behind everything, then why was that force not affected whenever Ellen wore her crown - which at one point, left on her own with a sprained ankle for days, she does for hours at a time. At the very least, those whom she meets later (avoiding spoilers) should perhaps comment in puzzlement that this force has been zoning out and not giving orders for long periods of time recently. Also, I expected that there would be an explanation for Otto's origin, and that we might find out that Ellen's family somehow survived - she seems to get over her multiple bereavement very rapidly. The denoument of the story, which requires a third character to somehow evade hot pursuit and return to the very heart of the villains' hideout - when access to that was shown to involve authorised personnel touching a handplate and there were other perils as well - was a bit weak.
I've also read, since finishing the book, that there were apparently two endings in the American edition. The version I read was published in the UK and involves only a short postscript which explains who sent the crown to Ellen, but the whole issue of how the villains found out she had it is left open. On the whole, the build up to the story is stronger than the actual resolution and for that reason my rating balances out at 3 stars.
January 5, 2023
I remember reading this. There was a book fair in middle school. I think this book may have had some of that middle school book fair buzz. I got it, but I don't remember reading much during that time period. Then, later that day, week, something, I was playing a soccer game - a grade up but still small - and, there, a huge, yellow cleat crashed down on the top of my ankle. It's funny, how I tried to stand couple times, confused at first at why I couldn't put weight on it and falling. Pain came. I sat down on the field. Then, I'm sitting in the backseat our car, the tacky grey-leather seat of the silver 1996 Toyota 4Runner, and there next to me, "The Silver Crown," and time...time on the road, time at the hospital.
And, I read, and read, and read. And I loved it, and do not have to remember to remember that I took it in like fresh air. To advocate for spontaneous moments like this would be, well, I won't. But, while sowing fields reap our food, I wouldn't dare stand in the way of these magic, unplanned hours of reading, or disprove their meaning. Only that we cannot plan for them, but, perhaps, have our hearts ready to do both. One flows like the wind through fingers in the pasture, the other builds sails that allow the wind to take us out to sea. Perhaps as age takes us on into our adult years, we must let ourselves be the sails; that we may feel the wind again if only for the joy of it.
Book Fairs. Book Fairs. From "Eager," to the bookmark from Lord of The Rings. Book Fairs.
And, I read, and read, and read. And I loved it, and do not have to remember to remember that I took it in like fresh air. To advocate for spontaneous moments like this would be, well, I won't. But, while sowing fields reap our food, I wouldn't dare stand in the way of these magic, unplanned hours of reading, or disprove their meaning. Only that we cannot plan for them, but, perhaps, have our hearts ready to do both. One flows like the wind through fingers in the pasture, the other builds sails that allow the wind to take us out to sea. Perhaps as age takes us on into our adult years, we must let ourselves be the sails; that we may feel the wind again if only for the joy of it.
Book Fairs. Book Fairs. From "Eager," to the bookmark from Lord of The Rings. Book Fairs.
May 21, 2017
This book was surprisingly creepy for a kids' book with a little girl in a crown on the cover. Although, I don't know what I expected from the author of The Rats of NIMH.
It had plot elements that reminded me of The Mysterious Benedict Society, but fundamentally the comparison that I think is most accurate is to The Princess and the Goblin. This book continually hit notes that made me think of Curdie and Princess Irene. I think The Silver Crown is a bit less of a masterwork, mostly because of resolution issues (it was done too fast and not well enough), but if you like George MacDonald I suspect you would like this.
It had plot elements that reminded me of The Mysterious Benedict Society, but fundamentally the comparison that I think is most accurate is to The Princess and the Goblin. This book continually hit notes that made me think of Curdie and Princess Irene. I think The Silver Crown is a bit less of a masterwork, mostly because of resolution issues (it was done too fast and not well enough), but if you like George MacDonald I suspect you would like this.
August 21, 2015
I can't decide what I think about this book; hence, the equivocal star rating. I fondly remember my third grade teacher reading this book to us at the end of each school day, but can't remember any other details from that time, other than that the crown and a sense of adventure.
Having read it again, I'm not sure it's suitable for elementary-age children! The protagonist's house burns down and her family is presumed dead -- triple homicide. Ellen is suddenly on her own. Then she gets into a car with a creepy stranger. She witnesses a robbery and a shooting, then has to make a run for it with only a sandwich and less than $1.50 in her pocket (this was 1968, when you could get more than a candy bar for that). She runs into a boy who steals, who takes Ellen to his "mother," who is thankfully a kindly old lady.
Then the boy and Ellen take off through the woods ALONE to hike to Kentucky. But Ellen hurts herself, so they have to hole up in a cave. So now they're facing running out of food (not quite starvation) while Ellen recovers. Then the boy disappears into the creepy castle-thing, so Ellen decides to save him. Which leads to a whole bunch of adventures, including jail, drugging a jailer, conspiracies, an evil king, an sentient orb-thing, and brain-washed children who commit heinous crimes.
But LO! The police arrive and things turn out okay. Her parents and siblings are alive and well. And her aunt shacks up with the mountain man and his dog in her giant house.
So here's what we end up with: arson, murder, race riots, jail, drugs, physical and emotional trauma, food deprivation, robbery, and stranger danger. Among other things. Ellen is a very brave little girl, but she's going to need some serious therapy in the years to come.
Having read it again, I'm not sure it's suitable for elementary-age children! The protagonist's house burns down and her family is presumed dead -- triple homicide. Ellen is suddenly on her own. Then she gets into a car with a creepy stranger. She witnesses a robbery and a shooting, then has to make a run for it with only a sandwich and less than $1.50 in her pocket (this was 1968, when you could get more than a candy bar for that). She runs into a boy who steals, who takes Ellen to his "mother," who is thankfully a kindly old lady.
Then the boy and Ellen take off through the woods ALONE to hike to Kentucky. But Ellen hurts herself, so they have to hole up in a cave. So now they're facing running out of food (not quite starvation) while Ellen recovers. Then the boy disappears into the creepy castle-thing, so Ellen decides to save him. Which leads to a whole bunch of adventures, including jail, drugging a jailer, conspiracies, an evil king, an sentient orb-thing, and brain-washed children who commit heinous crimes.
But LO! The police arrive and things turn out okay. Her parents and siblings are alive and well. And her aunt shacks up with the mountain man and his dog in her giant house.
So here's what we end up with: arson, murder, race riots, jail, drugs, physical and emotional trauma, food deprivation, robbery, and stranger danger. Among other things. Ellen is a very brave little girl, but she's going to need some serious therapy in the years to come.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2010
Review posted at RomancingThePage.com by Laura Lynn:
http://www.romancingthepage.com/2010/...
My kids and I recently read “The Silver Crown” by Robert C. O’Brien and loved it. Intended for kids 8 and older, “The Silver Crown” is the story of Ellen who wakes up on her tenth birthday to find a silver crown on her pillow.
As Ellen already believes she is a queen, she takes the gift in stride and proudly wears it to the park. Events from that moment on are not what she expects. Her house burns down, she witnesses a crime and she sets off on foot to find her Aunt Sara.
The story follows Ellen as she makes friends with a boy named Otto and heads off on a hero’s quest. We see her go from a silly girl who imagines herself in a palace, sitting on a throne, to a real queen responsible for the well being of an entire castle.
There are many reasons to enjoy this story. Ellen is vulnerable and likeable, so you really root for her to find Aunt Sara. Otto is spunky and in true hero’s quest form, guides Ellen towards her destiny. The adults shown in the book fall into two categories, those who are nice and will help you, and those who are evil and you must avoid. If only things were that simple.
As a caution, some of the content may not be suitable for young kids who easily get nightmares. Ellen does encounter an adult who tries to hurt her, so parents should be aware of that content.
“The Silver Crown” was enjoyed by my family, and in fact my son wanted to read it again. If you are looking for a solid story with a happy ending and empowering message, this book will fit the bill
http://www.romancingthepage.com/2010/...
My kids and I recently read “The Silver Crown” by Robert C. O’Brien and loved it. Intended for kids 8 and older, “The Silver Crown” is the story of Ellen who wakes up on her tenth birthday to find a silver crown on her pillow.
As Ellen already believes she is a queen, she takes the gift in stride and proudly wears it to the park. Events from that moment on are not what she expects. Her house burns down, she witnesses a crime and she sets off on foot to find her Aunt Sara.
The story follows Ellen as she makes friends with a boy named Otto and heads off on a hero’s quest. We see her go from a silly girl who imagines herself in a palace, sitting on a throne, to a real queen responsible for the well being of an entire castle.
There are many reasons to enjoy this story. Ellen is vulnerable and likeable, so you really root for her to find Aunt Sara. Otto is spunky and in true hero’s quest form, guides Ellen towards her destiny. The adults shown in the book fall into two categories, those who are nice and will help you, and those who are evil and you must avoid. If only things were that simple.
As a caution, some of the content may not be suitable for young kids who easily get nightmares. Ellen does encounter an adult who tries to hurt her, so parents should be aware of that content.
“The Silver Crown” was enjoyed by my family, and in fact my son wanted to read it again. If you are looking for a solid story with a happy ending and empowering message, this book will fit the bill
February 19, 2012
This book started out strong, but trailed off into an only moderately satisfying conclusion, and also a rather tangled concluding chapter (and alternate concluding chapter) which suggested that the author hadn't thought up any real justification for why the silver crown appears in the first place.
Very unusual for a children's story, with the plot involving but not actually exploring terrorism/random violence, and wobbling between magic and SF.
Very unusual for a children's story, with the plot involving but not actually exploring terrorism/random violence, and wobbling between magic and SF.
April 2, 2016
In spite of careful planning, and excellent writing, the ending just doesn't work. My copy contains both the American ending (much longer and very convoluted) and the more precise and acceptable British ending. However the last 30% of this book just can't live up to the brilliance of the first 70%.
Still a fascinating adventure for children to read. One that should cause them to think about what they might do in a bevy of difficult situations. For that alone, I recommend it.
Still a fascinating adventure for children to read. One that should cause them to think about what they might do in a bevy of difficult situations. For that alone, I recommend it.
February 15, 2008
I love this book so much. I first read it when I was ten years old, and it is still one of my favorite books today. Although it is a little strange, it is an excellent and exciting story.
May 28, 2021
You could ask my family how many times I said some variation of "This is a dark book" in the first 100 pages. It isn't that the book got 'lighter' after that, but I just stopped commenting on it.
So, heavy themes at the beginning for what I think is a 'children's' book, or middle reader ages: murder, loss of family, loss of home, kidnapping, being chased, abandonment - all revolving around a 10 year old, much of it on her 10th birthday! Yikes! But Ellen is a peculiar child and is very calm and matter of fact about it all.
I liked the first half of the book the best. Even the part in the castle was okay. The ending was a little weak, but was also interesting in that this edition of the book contains two endings: one for the US printing and one for the British printing. The British version is very concise and just leaves all the big questions except one in the "What I don't understand...." realm. The US version has a long-winded this-is-what-I-think-happened explanation for all the questions except the one that was answered in the British version; that question is left in 'shrug' status. The biggest question of "What's it all for?" is left for the reader to explore.
Otto is a particularly likable character. Ellen is, in her way, too, but felt a little flat to me.
This was published when I was 11 years old, but I don't remember ever hearing about it until someone I follow on Instagram mentioned it a few weeks ago.
Children's books aren't what they used to be.
Content warnings mentioned above, plus mind-control, arson, pleasure in evil deeds, disregard for life.
So, heavy themes at the beginning for what I think is a 'children's' book, or middle reader ages: murder, loss of family, loss of home, kidnapping, being chased, abandonment - all revolving around a 10 year old, much of it on her 10th birthday! Yikes! But Ellen is a peculiar child and is very calm and matter of fact about it all.
I liked the first half of the book the best. Even the part in the castle was okay. The ending was a little weak, but was also interesting in that this edition of the book contains two endings: one for the US printing and one for the British printing. The British version is very concise and just leaves all the big questions except one in the "What I don't understand...." realm. The US version has a long-winded this-is-what-I-think-happened explanation for all the questions except the one that was answered in the British version; that question is left in 'shrug' status. The biggest question of "What's it all for?" is left for the reader to explore.
Otto is a particularly likable character. Ellen is, in her way, too, but felt a little flat to me.
This was published when I was 11 years old, but I don't remember ever hearing about it until someone I follow on Instagram mentioned it a few weeks ago.
Children's books aren't what they used to be.
Content warnings mentioned above, plus mind-control, arson, pleasure in evil deeds, disregard for life.
January 4, 2022
Hi my names lily,
and i’m gonna tell you a story. This story is about a girl. a passionate girl who take you through such a story that makes me wanna cry every time i read it. my mum tecvmomed this book to me, she said she used to love it and read it lots. i didn’t think i would read it more then once but i have read it almost 4 times within 3 years of knowing the book. the story is about ellen who revives a mysterious crown. the fact ellen’s house burnt down sends us down a lane that makes us emotional. the clues around the text such as the green jumpers, robot uber driver and more really helps add to the book, and makes it more inticing to read. when i first read the book it gave me a sensation of fear along with happiness. when ellen hears the bang in ottos house, i imminently thought it was over, it’ still sends shivers down my spine the way robert described the shot sound. and don’t get me started on the school that otto got placed too, with the robots and creepy kids. it’s been a year since i have read it so my minds a bit rusty on the storyline. ill never forget when it all added up. everyone wanted ellen’s crown, i couldn’t belive when the fat man came back in the end. i love this book. the scariest part was when everyone thought otto turned on ellen but he really was under a spell ( i cant exactly rember how she found out.) anyways that’s all. i would love a sequel
and i’m gonna tell you a story. This story is about a girl. a passionate girl who take you through such a story that makes me wanna cry every time i read it. my mum tecvmomed this book to me, she said she used to love it and read it lots. i didn’t think i would read it more then once but i have read it almost 4 times within 3 years of knowing the book. the story is about ellen who revives a mysterious crown. the fact ellen’s house burnt down sends us down a lane that makes us emotional. the clues around the text such as the green jumpers, robot uber driver and more really helps add to the book, and makes it more inticing to read. when i first read the book it gave me a sensation of fear along with happiness. when ellen hears the bang in ottos house, i imminently thought it was over, it’ still sends shivers down my spine the way robert described the shot sound. and don’t get me started on the school that otto got placed too, with the robots and creepy kids. it’s been a year since i have read it so my minds a bit rusty on the storyline. ill never forget when it all added up. everyone wanted ellen’s crown, i couldn’t belive when the fat man came back in the end. i love this book. the scariest part was when everyone thought otto turned on ellen but he really was under a spell ( i cant exactly rember how she found out.) anyways that’s all. i would love a sequel
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2023
STORY TIME!
When I was young, maybe first grade, I grabbed this book from the library because of the pretty cover and the crown. I started reading it, but it gave me horrific nightmares, and my parents had to take it away from me, so I never finished it. And now, I finally got to see how it ended. TAKE THAT ROBERT C O'BRIEN!!!
I will say this book is intense for children (kidnapping, murder, arson, running away from men with guns), so it's no wonder it scared me so badly. And also, the plot was pretty stupid and didn't make much sense.
When I was young, maybe first grade, I grabbed this book from the library because of the pretty cover and the crown. I started reading it, but it gave me horrific nightmares, and my parents had to take it away from me, so I never finished it. And now, I finally got to see how it ended. TAKE THAT ROBERT C O'BRIEN!!!
I will say this book is intense for children (kidnapping, murder, arson, running away from men with guns), so it's no wonder it scared me so badly. And also, the plot was pretty stupid and didn't make much sense.
January 27, 2018
The story is crazy and a bit unbelievable at times. However, this is coming from an adult perspective and not from the recommended age group (8-12). I don’t think they’d notice or think to question half of the points that bothered me. My main complaint for that age would be that at times it was a bit slow. It was written a while ago, so that could explain it.
When I was young I remember enjoying Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH quite a bit. I think I would’ve enjoyed this too.
It’s Ellen’s 10th birthday and she wakes up and finds a crown on her bed. Naturally, this just confirms what she’d always knows, and what only her aunt really ever believed and didn’t only pretend to believe – that she’s a queen.
The worst part is that there are two endings offered which give two different reasons for the crown being there.
A bunch of impossible, unexplainable occurrences happen to Ellen.
Her house burns down and no none but her, who went outside before, survive.
When I was young I remember enjoying Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH quite a bit. I think I would’ve enjoyed this too.
It’s Ellen’s 10th birthday and she wakes up and finds a crown on her bed. Naturally, this just confirms what she’d always knows, and what only her aunt really ever believed and didn’t only pretend to believe – that she’s a queen.
The worst part is that there are two endings offered which give two different reasons for the crown being there.
A bunch of impossible, unexplainable occurrences happen to Ellen.
Her house burns down and no none but her, who went outside before, survive.
March 24, 2012
Fun and well-written. The writing is subtle and simple at the same time. I probably would've lost my mind for this when I was a kid. I enjoyed The Silver Crown very much.
A couple things bother me:
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A few chapters in--refreshingly straightforward after Drood. Refreshingly wholesome, too, even if there have already been at least two murders and a SUPER CREEPY Nevada Barr-esque late-night pursuit through a SUPER CREEPY forest.
There's a trained crow and you know I love that.
A couple things bother me:
When the Big Bad Evil is revealed it's linked to then-contemporary real-world events like race riots and violence in Chicago. I'm ruminating but since I just finished the book a few minutes ago I'm not sure how to articulate why this bothers me so much. But it totally does.
"Chinaman," "Moslem hordes," and the comparison of a swarm of vicious attackers to "Indians." I know the book was written in like 1968 but I really feel more recent editions would be improved by the thoughtful excision of these references. Nothing good would've been lost.
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A few chapters in--refreshingly straightforward after Drood. Refreshingly wholesome, too, even if there have already been at least two murders and a SUPER CREEPY Nevada Barr-esque late-night pursuit through a SUPER CREEPY forest.
There's a trained crow and you know I love that.
June 28, 2012
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NiMH was a favorite book of mine growing up. The Silver Crown has long been out of print and I was anxious to see if I would like this novel as well as NiMH. I started reading and was hooked by the end of the first chapter!
When Ellen Carrol wakes on her tenth birthday to find a silver crown on her pillow, she leaves the house without waking her family and walks to her favorite spot in the park where she pretends to be a queen. That is, until she hears fire engines stopping nearby. She returns home to find firemen surrounding the ruins of her house. There are no survivors. Completely alone, Ellen is thrust into jeopardy when murderous, green-hooded men pursue her as she travels to find her Aunt Sarah in Kentucky.
Ellen befriends an orphan named Otto and together they take flight into a forest. Neither of them is prepared for Otto’s capture by a school that teaches children to destroy civilization through brainwashing. When Ellen realizes that her pursuers are from this school and want her crown because it has the power to overcome the brainwashing, she puts herself in great danger to save Otto and stop the school.
This is a reprint (prior to edits) of my original review in the Oct/Nov 2001 issue of Explorations.
When Ellen Carrol wakes on her tenth birthday to find a silver crown on her pillow, she leaves the house without waking her family and walks to her favorite spot in the park where she pretends to be a queen. That is, until she hears fire engines stopping nearby. She returns home to find firemen surrounding the ruins of her house. There are no survivors. Completely alone, Ellen is thrust into jeopardy when murderous, green-hooded men pursue her as she travels to find her Aunt Sarah in Kentucky.
Ellen befriends an orphan named Otto and together they take flight into a forest. Neither of them is prepared for Otto’s capture by a school that teaches children to destroy civilization through brainwashing. When Ellen realizes that her pursuers are from this school and want her crown because it has the power to overcome the brainwashing, she puts herself in great danger to save Otto and stop the school.
This is a reprint (prior to edits) of my original review in the Oct/Nov 2001 issue of Explorations.
October 11, 2012
I was surprisingly charmed by this children's book and wish I had discovered it when I was ten years old!
Despite the fact that Ellen is witness to the death of her entire family by fire, a bank robbery and a homicide within the first two chapters (!), it is good reading for the ages of 8 to 12 (and possibly older).
A mix of Ender's Game, The Lord of the Rings and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, this book was more forward thinking and less saccharine than most children's novels of the 1960's I have encountered.
(I did find the ending to be a bit underwhelming.)
Despite the fact that Ellen is witness to the death of her entire family by fire, a bank robbery and a homicide within the first two chapters (!), it is good reading for the ages of 8 to 12 (and possibly older).
A mix of Ender's Game, The Lord of the Rings and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, this book was more forward thinking and less saccharine than most children's novels of the 1960's I have encountered.
(I did find the ending to be a bit underwhelming.)
January 8, 2017
The heroine of the book is named Ellen and Robert C. O'Brien wrote it. How could you go wrong?
You can't! I remember reading this book when I was 12 years old and my re-read leaves my memories intact. O'Brien starts the book off with a bang, when Ellen awakes on her birthday and finds a silver crown waiting for her. All those good memories of sitting under a tree in my grandma's garden in Delft, reading this book in one long perfect day, came back when I re-read it.
The secret behind the silver crown isn't what you might expect (and there's a black crown to be dealt with), but O'Brien isn't your normal children's author. It's a shame he didn't write more books, because I love everything he ever wrote.
If you loved this book, try Marian Cockrell's "Shadow Castle". It has the similar quality of transporting you into the story and really sweeps the reader along. Another childhood favorite!
p.s.--Never trust people wearing masks or fat men with sandwiches.
You can't! I remember reading this book when I was 12 years old and my re-read leaves my memories intact. O'Brien starts the book off with a bang, when Ellen awakes on her birthday and finds a silver crown waiting for her. All those good memories of sitting under a tree in my grandma's garden in Delft, reading this book in one long perfect day, came back when I re-read it.
The secret behind the silver crown isn't what you might expect (and there's a black crown to be dealt with), but O'Brien isn't your normal children's author. It's a shame he didn't write more books, because I love everything he ever wrote.
If you loved this book, try Marian Cockrell's "Shadow Castle". It has the similar quality of transporting you into the story and really sweeps the reader along. Another childhood favorite!
p.s.--Never trust people wearing masks or fat men with sandwiches.
August 10, 2011
I remember picking this book up my last day of elementary school all old books were lined up on stage in the cafeteria I guess if the books weren't taken they were going to be destroyed or I don't know what was going to happen to them .well anyway I remember picking this book up and loving the description so I took it home with me .If you are looking for a book that has a sort of eerie but childlike fantasy about it this is the book for you .It scared me as a child but fascinated me too .I want to say it was one of the first thickest books I had ever read its old type school read I don't really see that type of writing style or stories around any more but if you are looking for something different with adventure but a simple story all in one this is a great book to read .It is a child's book. So if your not into children's books I wouldn't read it .
October 19, 2010
I really really really enjoyed reading this book. David went and picked it up from the library...it is a book that his 5th grade teacher read to him and he remembered really liking it, so we decided to go pick it up and read it and see if it was something we would recommend for my brother to read. it definitely is! It was a very captivating read, and kept me interested up until the end. Some of the events are a bit strange, and the ending didn't have quite the pizzaz that I was expecting but overall very fun.
On a side note. This book has 2 endings. The first one starts on chapter 31, and in my personal opinion I say skip chapter 31 entirely and go to the 2nd ending in chapter 32. MUCH BETTER, and better if read first! Then if you must, go back and read the ending in chapter 31. ha ha.
On a side note. This book has 2 endings. The first one starts on chapter 31, and in my personal opinion I say skip chapter 31 entirely and go to the 2nd ending in chapter 32. MUCH BETTER, and better if read first! Then if you must, go back and read the ending in chapter 31. ha ha.
January 7, 2014
One of the best books for children, ever! I found this at my 3rd grade Scholastic book fair in 1977, and bought it with my own money.This is possibly my favorite kid's book, easily in the top 5 of all time! The story is perfect! Ellen wakes up on her 11th birthday and discovers a silver crown on her pillow. She goes to the park to play, and her house burns down with her entire family in it! One crazy thing happens after another, and she is the only person who can fix things. It's adventurous, thoughtful, funny! Although written for kids, the author uses a nice vocabulary and stretches the reader a litttle. Wonderful!
August 23, 2010
I really love this book. I first fell in love when I was around Ellen's age when I first read the book. For me this was one of those books that I repeatedly borrowed from the library and would read it over and over. I was recently reminded of this book and now finally own my own copy. Reading it again as an adult did not disappoint. The story is beautifully crafted and the adventure/mystery really pulls you in. I was disappointed with the alternate ending that apparently was written for
American audiences but love it with the British ending.
American audiences but love it with the British ending.
July 24, 2012
I randomly remembered this one day as a book I loved reading in 5th grade. It has recently been re-printed, so I was able to buy it and read it again.
This is still pretty good, but it was INCREDIBLE when I was 11 years old. I had a great school librarian that year, and I still enjoy re-reading the books she recommended to me all those years ago. I wish I could re-connect with her and thank her.
This is still pretty good, but it was INCREDIBLE when I was 11 years old. I had a great school librarian that year, and I still enjoy re-reading the books she recommended to me all those years ago. I wish I could re-connect with her and thank her.
September 27, 2014
It was exciting for me to find a new book of this type that I really loved---new not in that it was recently written, but a book written in the era of most books I loved as a girl that I had never discovered. It's the kind of self-contained fairy tale with a rooting in reality that I love---not an open-ended, overly formula-filled one like you would find today!
August 16, 2013
I loved this book as a child. It was read aloud to me at school and I read it on my own several times as well. I don't know what made me think of it now but I hope to reread it as an adult sometime soon.
February 2, 2014
this was one of my favorite books as a girl; i read it in sixth grade. what an impact: resourceful, brave and intelligent pre-teen girl main character, evil adults, and a diabolical sci-fi-ish machine. unfortunately, the pictured cover makes it look like a magic unicorn fantasy.
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February 20, 2014One of my favorite books! I just FOUND my 40-year-old copy and it welcomed me back like an old friend. There are child endangerment, magic, creepy strangers, and a strong girl main character who knows she's really a queen. Just. Fabulous. I strongly recommend it for 8 years old plus.
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